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1. Who are "unaccompanied refugee minors"? The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) as children who are separated from both parents and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible to do so. In resettlement terms, URMs are children under age 18 who are resettled alone in the United States, without a parent or relative able to care for them. Children can also become unaccompanied after arrival in the United States if a parent or caregiver can no longer care for a child once they are in the United States. 2. Who
is eligible for the refugee foster care programs?
3. How long are children eligible for refugee foster care? Minors must enter refugee foster care prior to their 18th birthday. Once in care, refugee youth can remain in a foster care program until the age of 20 or 21 (depending on particular state child welfare guidelines.) After age 18, continued participation in the program is voluntary. 4. What services are available through the refugee foster care programs? Refugee foster care includes a comprehensive set of services and financial supports, designed to assist with a youth’s resettlement adjustment, provide for a youth while obtaining an education, and prepare each youth for eventual independence. These services are specially geared towards the needs of refugee youth, with a focus on acculturation and integration. More specifically, these services include: indirect financial support providing for housing, food, clothing, and other necessities; schooling and educational supports; health, mental health and legal services; intensive case management; cultural and recreation activities; mentoring and life skills training; etc. 5. How are these programs like or unlike domestic foster care programs, and how are they funded and monitored? Refugee foster care programs follow the same state or county laws and regulations that govern domestic foster care. Refugee youth are eligible for all of the same services for which an American youth would be eligible. However, refugee foster care programs are separate from domestic foster care programs in that they have been developed by agencies with expertise in working with foreign-born children. Foster families are oriented towards the particular needs of refugee and immigrant youth. Social work staff assist with special services which may be needed by these youth (e.g., ESL or other special educational needs; cultural identity and adjustment; family tracing; refugee trauma; etc.) Refugee foster care programs are funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, via state refugee coordinator offices. All foster care programs are licensed and monitored regularly by their state child welfare authority. Foster families must go through a background clearance and licensing process. In addition, LIRS and USCCB provide quality control and serve as an on-going resource for these programs. 6. What kind of foster family, or other care arrangements, will be provided to minors? These programs use families from varied backgrounds to foster refugee youth. Programs recruit families from the same ethnic communities represented by minors in their care. Such placements are a priority for younger children. Native-born foster families are also a strong resource for this program, with many families who have fostered children from various ethnic backgrounds and become familiar with the needs of refugee youth. In addition, programs recruit immigrant families from varied ethnic origins, who personally understand the refugee adjustment, even if not from the same ethnic perspective. In addition to foster care, programs use a mix of supervised, semi-independent and independent living arrangements. These services are available to older youths (generally 17 and older), and allow them to live with other youths in semi-autonomous arrangements, while they receive training and intensive case management assistance in learning the life skills they will need to live independently. Some programs also utilize group homes or group foster care homes. In a few specialized circumstances, programs have been able to access residential treatment services for youth who are severely traumatized or who have special needs.7. How do these children respond to foster care? Like children everywhere, refugee children yearn for love, security and the chance to learn. Unfortunately, many of these children have been deprived of one or all of these things. Many children have been forced to grow up too quickly, due to the circumstances of war and hardship. Consequently, they value a second chance at childhood and newfound stability. 8. How do refugee children fare in the American educational system? Most refugee children have missed years of schooling due to the disruptions of war. Although they lag behind their American peers, they are generally very motivated to learn. The absence of educational opportunities often increases their appreciation of schooling once it is available again. Refugee foster care programs are experienced in the educational needs of refugee children, and social work staff help each child access the special services they need in order to learn in the United States. 9. Who can become a foster parent? Refugee foster care programs seek foster parents through local churches, mosques or other houses of worship; community or civic organizations; Mutual Assistance Associations or other refugee collectives; or word of mouth from other foster parents. These programs seek caring and committed foster parents, and always welcome foster parent inquiries. Persons interested in learning more about refugee foster parenting should contact LIRS (410/230-2700) or USCCB (202/541-3000). 10. Are unaccompanied refugee minors ever reunified with their families? Although refugee minors are generally long-term foster placements, programs continue family tracing where possible. A number of minors have ultimately been able to reunify with family either in the United States or in their country of origin. Like children in domestic foster care, family reunification is always a goal where feasible and in the child’s best interest. 11. Are refugee children available for adoption? In accordance with standards of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and to leave open the possibility of family reunification, refugee children are not available for adoption. 12. Where are there refugee foster care programs? There are currently 18 refugee foster care programs. They are in the following communities:
13. How can I get more information? Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
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