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Home My WebLink AboutIR 147 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-147 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 4, 2022 Page 1 of 6 i i7 Y *a SUBJECT: REFUGEE SERVICES IN FORT WORTH rFrn 10 7'3 This informal report responds to the City Council's recent request for information about services available to refugees in Fort Worth. The report defines the term refugee,provides an overview of the refugee resettlement process,estimates the number of refugees resettled in Fort Worth during the six-year period from 2015 through 2020 by country of origin,identifies the Fort Worth zip codes receiving the largest numbers of refugees during this period, and provides information about the local organizations that deliver direct refugee services. Who is a refugee? What is the resettlement process? According to the 2021 U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Report,a"refugee"is defined under Section 101(a)(42)of the Immigration and Nationality Act(INA),as an individual who,generally,has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race,religion,nationality,membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals who meet the statutory definition may be considered for either refugee status under Section 207 of the INA if they are outside the United States,or asylum status under Section 208 of the INA,if they are already in the United States or present themselves at a U.S.port of entry.Both refugee and asylum status are forms of humanitarian protection offered by the United States. RESETTLING REFUGEES: THE REFUGEE JOURNEY THE bit 441 ' .•h D Flee country of origin to a b. q �� REFUGEE relatively safe neighboring 'ti s Wait For application to be country or refugee camp. •• UNHCR ��•; r processed and for . � 4 JOURNEY - ° referrals to be submitted. •b Apply as a refugee and the The average wait time is >s • e UNHCR determines the best durable solution for each 10 26 years. refugee family,then submit 'd referrals to the U.S.or other E•s eligible countries for r potential resettlement. Q ❑= 7a ' Refugee Families undergo RSC Approved families then travel to the Africa InterviewsJUSCIS Interviews United States and are greeted by the I to demonstrate the applicant local RST office.In the United States qualifies as a refugee.Extensive they will Find a job,learn English,and background checks are conducted. integrate into the local community. B FE A a Ra ss a • Pd =ew 4 Referrals are approved For •• Applications are approved r"r «. AR resettlement.Refugees receive or denied and refugee �• REFUGEE SERVICES cultural orientation and Families must complete 1�•GF TEXAS language training based on medical examinations. their resettlement location. Source: Refugee Services of Texas,2022 ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-147 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 4, 2022 Page 2 of 6 i i7 Y *a SUBJECT: REFUGEE SERVICES IN FORT WORTH rFrn 1075 How many refugees have resettled in Fort Worth? According to data from the Refugee Processing Center and Charity Navigator,the City of Fort Worth resettled approximately 2,437 refugees from 2015 through 2020. Refugee resettlements to Fort Worth hit a high of 1,022 in 2016. Since 2016,refugee resettlements to Fort Worth have dropped almost 80 percent. In 2020, 74 refugees resettled to Fort Worth. It marked the fourth year in a row in which fewer than 400 refugees moved to the city. The following bar graph and pie chart depict the number of refugees resettled in Fort Worth by country of origin over the six-year period from 2015 through 2020. These data reflect the most recent available data on refugees in Fort Worth. Leading countries of origin include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (54%),Burma(25%),and Syria(8%),and Iraq (7%). COUNTRY OF ORIGIN CHANGE 2015-2020 IN FORT 1 ORTH,T ■ 2015 E 2016 ■ 2017 0 2018 E 2019 ■ 2020 N N 0 o a, m N LD LD CD L.0 n °° o r Ln N �`"' Ln Q--r7r-n� �7 N � uU�i NN C:m C[V (20 Source: httys://Eranhicacy.eithub.io/unhcr-refuEee-proiect/fort-worth-texas ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-147 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 4, 2022 Page 3 of 6 i i7 Y SUBJECT: REFUGEE SERVICES IN FORT WORTH rFrn Yg7'3 TOTAL BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN ■ DR Congo ■Burma ■ Pakistan ■Afghanistan ■ Iraq ■Syria ■ Iran ■Sri Lanka 0% Source: httys://eraphicacy.eithub.io/unhcr-refueee-proiect/fort-worth-texas Which zip codes received the largest numbers of refugees from 2015 through 2020? 76119 -325 Refugees Resettled(Source: Refugee Services of Texas—Fort Worth ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-147 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 4, 2022 Page 4 of 6 i i7 Y *a SUBJECT: REFUGEE SERVICES IN FORT WORTH rFrn 10 7'3 76106-210 Refugees Resettled (Source: Refugee Services of Texas—Fort Worth) �V F E Ai iat m 76116-70 Refugees Resettled (Source: Refugee Services of Texas—Fort Worth) WhIt,s-1-11 What resettlement agencies provide refugee services in Fort Worth? Refugee Services of Texas—Fort Worth (*La Gran Plaza RST Fort Worth offers programs to assist refugees and other populations with basic needs and services during their initial resettlement to the U.S. Refugee clients are also provided with case management and financial assistance while they work to meet the challenges of transitioning to the local community.FW now offers counseling and group psycho-social therapy through a partnership with MHMR Refugee Services Program. Services and programs include: • Job Readiness Training and Placement • English Language Program • Social Adjustment Services • Refugee Cash Assistance • Medical Case Management • Central American Minor Refugee Program Application(CAM-AOR) • Survivors of Trafficking Empowerment Program(STEP)NOCA Website: https://www.rstx.org/locations/fort-worth.html Fort Worth Community Engagement Coordinators at mboamah&rstx.org and gramazani&rstx.org. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-147 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 4, 2022 Page 5 of 6 i i7 Y *a SUBJECT: REFUGEE SERVICES IN FORT WORTH rFrn 1075 Catholic Charities Fort Worth Catholic Charities Fort Worth refugee services consist of several programs designed to assist refugees and asylees who have been forced to leave their homelands because of persecution based on race,religion,or political affiliation. The following programs and services are available: • Refugee Case Management-Empower refugees toward self-sufficiency and to promote their successful integration into the local community by removing the barriers to employment, self-sufficiency and community integration with a focus on access to mainstream healthcare systems for physical and mental health.Additionally,Refugee Case Management provides the necessary tools for clients to properly acclimate to American life. Cultural adjustment services include parenting and discipline classes,as well as enhanced cultural orientation classes. o Qualifications: —Must have documentation proving refugee,asylee or victim of trafficking status. —Must be 5 years or less from the date of arrival. o Contact Information:_RefugeeCaseManagement@ccdofw.org • Reception and Placement Pro. -Promote cultural adjustment and self-sufficiency in refugee communities. Nearly all refugees served have incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level. o Qualifications: —Refugee or Special Immigrant Visa holder —Assured by USCCB —Within 90 days of arrival in the United States —Located no more than 100 miles away from the Catholic Charities of Fort Worth office o Contact Information: RefugeeR&PProgram@ccdofw.org • Refugeeploymen -Promote economic self-sufficiency for refugees through job placement and retention. o Qualifications: Refugee Employment serves refugees,asylee,Cuban/Haitian entrant, S.I.V. or victim of trafficking. The clients can be served up to 5 years after their date of arrival or date of eligibility certification. Clients are generally between 18-60 years old,but Refugee Employment can enroll individuals 16 and older,as well as those over 60 with special circumstances. o Contact Information: Refu eg eEmplo, ment&ccdofw.org • Refugee Cash Assistance—Promote economic self-sufficiency by providing temporary financial assistance and ensuring access to employment providers. o Qualifications: Refugees,asylees,Cuban/Haitian entrants,victims of trafficking,and SIVs who can provide proof of status documentation are eligible to apply for RCA benefits if they are within the first eight months of arrival to the U.S. (or date of certification).Households must be at or below 125%of the federal poverty level(FPL)to apply for benefits during months 1-4 of arrival and 165 percent FPL to receive benefits during months 5-8.Households with children must be ineligible for TANF to receive RCA. o Contact Information: RefugeeCashAssistance@ccdofw.org ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-147 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 4, 2022 Page 6 of 6 i i7 Y *a SUBJECT: REFUGEE SERVICES IN FORT WORTH rFrn 1075 World Relief North Texas WRNT partners with the local churches and hundreds of individual volunteers to assist newly arrived families in Fort Worth begin their path to belonging. Direct services and assistance include: • securing housing • supplying basic necessities • enrolling children in school Garrett Pearson,Executive Director—g=pearsonkwr.org Website: https://worldrelief.org/north-texas/ What Services Does the City Provide Resettled Refugees? The Department of Diversity and Inclusion serves as the city point of contact connecting local resettled refugees to city services including: • Know Your Rights in Fair Housing,Fair Employment,Public Accommodations,ADA,and Title VI Programs in Civil Rights Enforcement Division Department of Diversity and Inclusion • Neighborhood Services Community Action Partner Programs and Available Affordable Housing through Fort Worth Housing Solutions • City Utilities—Water, Solid Waste • Public Safety—Fort Worth Police Department Liaison,Fort Worth Fire Department Liaison • Digital Equity Broadband Internet Access—Information Technology Services Liaison • Starting a Business—Dee Jennings Business Assistance Center Liaison at the Guinn Campus • Building Permits and Zoning—Department of Development Services Liaison • Career and Job Opportunities—CFW Human Resources Department Talent Management Liaison and Texas Workforce Commission Liaison • New Resident Workshops powered by HUD and EEOC Any questions regarding this informal report should be directed to Christina Brooks, Chief Equity Officer and Director of Diversity and Inclusion, 817-392-8988. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS