Family Support Division

Refugee Resettlement

The goal of Refugee Resettlement is to assist in the resettlement of refugees in Missouri and to promote economic self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. This is accomplished by providing social and employment services, as well as financial and medical assistance, through programs provided by the Missouri Departments of Social Services, Health and Senior Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, and contracting agencies.

Who Is Eligible?

Persons who are allowed to immigrate as refugees, certain Amerasians, Cuban/Haitian entrants, non-Americans who are victims of severe forms of trafficking, asylees, Iraqi/Afghani Special Immigrants, and individuals who previously held one of the listed statuses and who now are legal permanent residents.

What Benefits and Services are Available?

The following benefits and services are provided to eligible individuals and families by the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), Family Support Division’s Refugee Resettlement Program, either directly through DSS, agreements with other Missouri state agencies, or contracted agencies.

Missouri Department of Social Services/Family Support Division:

• Refugee Cash Assistance — for those not eligible for other forms of cash assistance (Temporary Assistance, Supplemental Security Income), for up to eight months from date of entry to the U.S. Cash benefits are based on the Temporary Assistance levels of payment.
• Refugee Medical Assistance — for those not eligible for other forms of MO HealthNet Assistance, for eight months from date of entry to the U.S.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services:

• Preventative Health Program — provides medical screenings and follow-up activities to newly arriving refugees. The program objectives are to reduce the spread of infectious disease, treat current ailments, and promote preventative health practices to facilitate refugees’ full participation in activities that encourage self-sufficiency and integration.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:

• School Impact Program — supports impacted school districts with funds to assist with activities that lead to effective integration and education of refugee children. Targets school-age refugees with activities that include, but are not limited to, programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, after-school tutorials, parental involvement programs, and summer clubs and activities.

Contracting Agencies

• Missouri’s Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, Refugee Resettlement Program, through contracts issued to resettlement agencies, provides the following four programs for refugees:
  

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  1. Social Services Program — supports employability services and other services that address barriers to employment, such as social adjustment services, interpretation and translation services, child care, citizenship and naturalization services, etc., for refugees that have been in the U.S. less than sixty months.
  2. Targeted Assistance Formula Program — provides funds to areas of the state that have an influx of refugee arrivals and a high concentration of refugees utilizing public assistance.
  3. Targeted Assistance Discretionary Program – addresses the employment needs of refugees that continue to need services beyond the initial years of resettlement and/or whose needs cannot be met with the Social Services or Targeted Assistance Formula programs.
  4. Services to Older Refugees Program — serves refugees aged 60 years and above, to link to mainstream aging services in their community, provide services not available in the community, create opportunities to live independently, and to provide or assist with naturalization services.

The agencies contracted to provide the above services October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2011, are:

Links to Other Refugee Internet Resources

• Office of Refugee Resettlement (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (http://www.uscis.gov/)