Resources for Refugee Resettlement Service Providers
As some refugee resettlement agencies and community-based organizations (CBOs) begin to resume or increase their level of activities, CDC offers considerations for ways these organizations can help protect individuals and communities and slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This document provides links to existing CDC COVID-19 guidance and other resources that may be useful when resettlement service providers interact with refugee clients in a variety of group settings — for example, at home, in public, or at work. Some of these resources will also be useful for refugee clients.
Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status.
The following resources may be used by both resettlement service providers and refugee clients in a variety of settings:
Home Visits
Resettlement service providers, such as case workers, may conduct home visits with refugee clients. These case workers may enter the refugee’s home and be in the shared living space with several family members. Several people may be present in the home at the same time.
CDC Guidance Resources:
Classroom Environments & School Enrollment
Resettlement service providers may assist refugee youth to enroll in school or may have classrooms within their offices to provide essential services to clients including cultural orientation, English as a second language (ESL) instruction, and employment readiness training. Providers may currently be providing these services remotely; however, in the event that services are in person, a group setting is possible.
CDC Guidance Resources:
Health Appointments
Each resettlement community operates differently, but many resettlement agency providers are connected with their county health departments, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and culturally competent private medical providers in their areas. Refugee health clinics typically have waiting rooms where several refugee patients may be waiting with their families at the same time for appointments.
CDC Guidance Resources:
Public and Private Transportation
Refugee clients may rely heavily on public transportation. Public transportation may involve crowded situations. Resettlement service providers may travel with clients in personal vehicles as well. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus.)
CDC Guidance Resources
- Travel: FAQs
- Non-emergency transportation for tribal communities (Although this page is written for tribal communities, there are recommendations on the page that may be helpful for refugee communities as well.)
Public Assistance and Social Security Application Registration
Resettlement service providers may help clients apply for public assistance and social security cards, which may take place in an environment with other people present either at a resettlement office or at a public, off-site location.
CDC Guidance Resources:
Additional Resources
COVID-19 in Newly Resettled Refugee Populations
CDC Communication Toolkit for Migrants, Refugees, and Other Limited-English-Proficient Populations
Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) Frequently Asked Questionsexternal icon
CORE’s inventory of other translated COVID-19 information for refugeesexternal icon