Policy and Resources

The Georgia Refugee Policy Initiative started two years ago as a working group of refugee service providers, community leaders and community organizers, housed at Refugee Family Services. Our goal is to create a vibrant, diverse and healthy community through the successful integration of refugee newcomers and the receiving community of metro Atlanta.

LEGISLATIVE WATCH
The next Georgia State Legislative Session begins January 2011. Check back for updates. TO RECEIVE THE GRPI UPDATES AND ACTION ALERTS, e-mail with the subject line, GRPI Updates.

CRIME & SAFETY IN THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY
Many refugee newcomers live in areas with high levels of crime, and almost every day we here reports of assault, armed robbery, burglary and more. Uncertain about how the American criminal justice system works and often unable to communicate effectively in English with police, refugees are hesitant to work with police because they often come from countries where the police and other authority figures were persecutors. As a result, refugees are commonly targeted victims of crime and their children are vulnerable to gang activity. GPRI policy efforts are focused on advocating for more crime and safety resources in the community, and supporting efforts to engage police and community leaders in reducing crime.
Refugee Organizing in Action Report: June Meeting with Refugee Community and Clarkston Police Chief Tony Scipio
DOWNLOAD: Public_Report_-_Clarkston_Mtg.pdf

HEALTHY FOOD & FOOD SECURITY
Many of the neighborhoods where refugee newcomers live are part of DeKalb County’s food desert, where there is limited transportation and access to stores that offer fresh food. Most new refugee families start out with no extra resources, and at times are truly facing hunger. Nutritional choices are new, lifestyles are different, and the agricultural environment that many refugees come from have been replaced by strip malls and six lanes of traffic. Policy and community organizing efforts are focused on advocating for access to healthy foods and garden/farm land for refugee growers.
The GRPI Food Project includes:
Our Community Farm: A Sustainable, Urban Farm Project in Partnership with Burundi Farmers
BLOG: http://ourcommunityfarmproject.blogspot.com
Farms and Farmers’ Market Education Workshops

REFUGEE ORGANIZING IN ACTION NETWORK - POLICY ISSUES
The Refugee Organizing in Action Network, which is made up of refugee & immigrant leaders and their organizations, provides one avenue to ensure refugees have a voice in policy decisions that impact the refugee resettlement process. The Network prepares and issues reports and recommendations on priority areas of concern, and then follows up to meet with key stake holders and move recommendations forward. Reports and/or recommendations to date include:
Enhancing the Refugee Resettlement Process in Georgia: Employment and Financial Self-Sufficiency, 2010
DOWNLOAD: Resettlement_Report_Vol_I-March_2010.pdf
Advisory Project: DHS Contract Services for 2012
DOWNLOAD: Advisory_Project_-_DHS_2012.pdf

ACCESS TO PUBLIC BENEFITS (HB2)
In January 2010, a new law went into effect in Georgia. Sometimes called “HB2,” this law is interpreted to REQUIRE proof of immigration status to access to “public benefits” - a list of services, business necessities, and educational opportunities that most refugees and immigrants use. Each city, town, county and other government entity decides how it will interpret the law. It’s reasonable to expect some confusion and inconsistencies in new rules.
DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET: FACT_SHEET-PUBLIC_ACCESS_TO_BENEFITS_(HB2).pdf

NEW AMERICANS BREAKFAST at the CAPITOLL
During the 2010 legislative session, we held our Second Annual New Americans Breakfast at the Capitol. With a myriad of local community groups sponsoring the event, a refugee delegation and friends of refugees invited lawmakers to learn more about Georgia’s newcomers who arrive here on the the path to citizenship. This year the event was followed by a brief legislative advocacy training, and many of the attendees went on to meet with their Senators and Representatives to advocate for issues of concern.

STRENGTHENING GEORGIA 2009 REFUGEE POLICY FORUM
The October 2009 Forum brought together law and policy makers, educators, law enforcement officials, health professionals, service providers and community leaders to discuss issues and community concerns that have a significant impact on successful integration. Forum materials and reports include:

SESSION REPORTS
Community_Safety_and_Crime-Session_Report.pdf
Health_Care_and_Access_to_Benefits-Session_Report.pdf
Workforce_and_Adult_Education-Session_Report.pdf
K-12_Education-Session_Report.pdf
Voice_for_Change-Session_Report.pdf
FACT SHEETS
Refugees_in_Georgia_Factsheet.pdf
International_Students,_DeKalb_County_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Crime_in_the_Community_Fact_sheet.pdf
Limited_English_Proficiency_Factsheet.pdf
PRESENTATIONS
Georgia_Department_of_Labor.pdf
Establishing_a_Neighborhood_Watch_Presentation.pdf
REFUGEE ORGANIZING IN ACTION RESOURCES can be found at www.ROANetwork.org, and include:
Training Guide - Open Doors: First Job in US
Training Guide - A Refugee Guide to the Georgia Drivers’ License
A Refugee Guide to the Verification of Employment Authorization
An Updated Guide to Local English as a Second Language Classes
ADDITIONAL FORUM RESOURCES
Sept_2009_CLINIC_Asylee_Eligibility_for_Resettlement_Assistance_A_Short_Guide.pdf
Refugee_and_Asylees_2008_Annual_Flow_Report.pdf
REFUGEE_ADMISSIONS_FOR_FY_2010.pdf

OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES

Health Resources for Refugees and Social Workers
There are many websites that provide information on healthcare in many languages.  These resources can help RFS social workers to provide even better healthcare education through pamphlets and informational sheets in the clients’ own language. 

Multi-lingual health education websites:
Access health documents in 24 languages. 
http://library.med.utah.edu/24languages/

The Center for Multicultural Health provides health education materials in many languages to assist health professionals in communicating with people who don’t speak English or have a low English proficiency.
http://www.health.utah.gov/cmh/multilinguallibrary.htm

This site allows you to type in a key word to search through popular health-related topics.  The languages that are provided for each of the topics are listed within the link to the the keyword.
http://www.healthinfotranslations.com/

The multilingual website has thematic health units in various languages that a patient/learner can listen to, watch with the visuals, and read.
http://www.healthyroadsmedia.org

U.S.-based website with primary health information
The EthnoMed site contains information about cultural beliefs, medical issues and other related issues pertinent to the health care of recent immigrants to the US, many of whom are refugees.
http://ethnomed.org/