The Reception and Placement (R&P) Program is a grant awarded to resettlement agencies from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to provide resettlement services. Under a cooperative agreement, this program provides core services to refugees within their first 30 days of arrival. R&P staff provides initial services to orient newly arrived refugees to life in the U.S., including:

• Securing housing
• Providing furniture and basic supplies
• Providing basic, interim cash assistance to help provide support for a family upon arrival
• Addressing medical concerns and arranging for medical screening and immunizations
• Applying for Social Security, California ID cards, and Selective Service
• School enrollment for children
• Applying for Food Stamps, MediCal, and other assistance as needed
• Linking refugees to programs and mainstream services
• Providing information and orientation on housing, safety, employment and workplace expectations, transportation, immigration, and U.S. life and culture.
• Developing a comprehensive plan for each family member to help guide them towards self-sufficiency.

For more information about Resettlement and to find out how you can get involved, please contact Brian Adkins at brian.adkins@theIRC.org or (415) 863-3777.

Asylee Assistance

Asylees share the same legal definition as refugees, but status is conferred once the person arrives in the U.S. or at a U.S. border. Asylees are eligible for refugee assistance and services beginning on the date they are granted asylum. IRC San Francisco provides a range of services to asylees depending on their county of residence, how soon after a grant of asylum we are in contact, and their current needs and plans. These include community orientation as well as health, service and direct assistance referrals. Aslyees may also participate in the IRC Matching Grant Employment Program.

For more information please contact:
In the East Bay: Owen Williams (owen.williams@theIRC.org)
In Sacramento and surrounding areas: Victor Tikhomirov (victor.tikhomirov@theIRC.org)
In San Francisco, San Mateo or other counties: Leslie Peterson (leslie.peterson@theIRC.org) or Don Climent (don.climent@theIRC.org)