Strategic Community Plan

Refugee Resource Strategic Community Plan

Boise, Idaho ~ July 2010

Updated January, 2011
Updated April, 2011
Updated November, 2011

Download the complete plan here

Purpose:
The purpose of the Refugee Resource Community Plan has been to develop short and long-term goals, actions and timetables to address the needs and opportunities for the successful resettlement of refugees in Boise.

Progress:
To find out the latest progress on the various areas of the plan, visit: Community Plan Progress

The plan is organized into six broad areas, as you can see below.
Some areas have subsections and you can use the links to jump to each section or subsection.

Refugee Resource Strategic Community Plan:
INDEX (click to jump to different sections)

1. Education

          Elementary
             Secondary
             Families & Parents
             Adult Education
             Early Childhood Wellbeing
2. Employment
3. Health Care
           Interpreters
            Providers
            Education & Integration
            Medicaid
4. Housing
5. Social Integration
        Community-Wide
          Youth
          Civic Engagement & Responsibilites
         Community Volunteers
           Immigrant & Legal Issues
6. Transportation

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EDUCATION Progress Reports: Click Here

Goal: Refugees of all ages have access to and participate in formal and informal education opportunities.
To download a PDF of this section, click here

Click to skip to specific sections:

Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Families & Parents
Adult Education
Early Childhood Wellbeing

Elementary Education
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Expand the concept and implementation of existing programs (language, culture, parent orientation, etc) to provide transition support for refugee students.	a. Identify schools with refugee populations and determine potential for program application. b. Gain the support of volunteer and staff for program implementation.	Boise School District; BPEL Coordinators; Partners in Education (Chamber); Mayor’s Council on Children & Youth	Valley Regional Transit	Added new counselor for refugee children/youth (12/10) Ongoing
2. Identify afterschool and elective programs that do/can provide transitional support and expand/ direct accessibility for refugee students.	a. Utilize/ develop volunteer support and financial resources for parents, students and community. b. Utilize and coordinate with business support/ resources, e.g. Partners in Education, Boise Education Foundation, etc. c. Utilize After3.com	Mayor’s Council on Children & Youth	Valley Regional Transit	Ongoing back to top
Secondary Education
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Expand the concept and implementation of existing programs (language, culture, parent orientation, etc.) to provide transition support for refugee students.	a. Identify schools with refugee populations and determine potential for program application. b. Gain the support of volunteer and staff for program implementation.	Boise School District; BPEL Coordinators; Partners in Education (Chamber); Mayor’s Council on Children & Youth	Valley Regional Transit	New counselor (12/10)
2. Identify afterschool and elective programs that do/can provide transitional support and expand/ direct accessibility for refugee students.	a. Utilize/ develop volunteer support and financial resources for parents, students & community. b. Utilize and coordinate with business support/ resources, e.g. Partners in Education, Boise Education Foundation, etc. c. Utilize After3.com	Mayor’s Council on Children & Youth	Valley Regional Transit
3. Expand summer school program awareness for K-12 refugee students.	a. Explore summer school opportunities and increase awareness for refugee families to engage families who arrive in early/ late spring.	Boise School District; English Language Center; Refugee Resettlement Agencies		Annually in the Spring back to top
Families and Parents
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Expand parent access to, understanding of and participation in Boise schools; Expand utilization of Infinite Campus Program for refugee parents and students (a program for parents/ students to track success/ participation of students) Expand utilization of BPEL (Boise Parents of English Learners) Program	a. Engage and orient parents in education process. Review and make recommendations for improved advanced communications to parents. b. Boise Schools personnel train Language Centers, Library staff, Parks and Recreation Staff, Education liaisons c. Address transportation challenges for parents d. Increase awareness and accessibility of information provided in common languages.	a. Refugee Resettlement Agencies; City of Boise (Community Recreation), Branch Libraries;English Language Center c. Valley Regional Transit d. Refugee Resettlement Agencies		Annually during 3 BPEL meetings at varying times throughout the year
2. Expand access for refugee families, students and parents to community programs that support cultural transition e.g. Learning Lab, Boy’s & Girls Club, Boise Parks & Rec, YMCA (reference: Boise After 3.com). Expand family (intergenerational) literacy programs and access to them.	a. Determine current level of resources and utilization. b. Explore need/ opportunity to expand. c. Expand resources.	Community Programs/ Resources
3. Expand access to parenting classes ensuring they are linguistically and culturally appropriate, when necessary.		Idaho Office for Refugees; Refugee Resettlement Agencies		back to top
Adult Education
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Improve and expand adult language programs and increase knowledge of and access to them.	a. Establish a cooperative association for local language programs to share resources, to provide professional development, to assess needs and to develop programs. b. Establish a coordinated effort among local language programs to share resources, professional development, assess needs, and develop programs. c. Provide language support to the programs that offer micro enterprises, artisan education and non-traditional employment opportunities for refugees.	a. College of Western Idaho; English Language Center; Learning Lab b. College of Western Idaho; English Language Center; Learning Lab	School District libraries; Boise State University; Catholic Charities; Common Ground; Volunteer language programs; Faith & Community- based organizations; META, Artisans for Hope, Mutual Assistance Associations	Spring 2011
2. Expand training opportunities for refugee adults, through recertification programs, technical training programs, higher education, etc.	a. Evaluate the need and potential to develop a recertification/ licensing/ higher education counseling liaison position. b. Establish peer mentoring for refugee students to enhance education readiness, including GEDs, Compass, vocational and college. Utilize CWI/ BSU students. Pattern after national CAMP migrant-based programs. c. Explore options for establishing grants, scholarships and work study programs. d. Develop and identify existing training programs for and within established industries. · Develop industry specific training programs, i.e., service industry, nursing care, food preparation, etc. · Provide support for employers in implementing training programs.	a. Idaho Office for Refugees, Refugee Resettlement Agencies, Idaho Dept of Labor, Professional Recertification Networks, Boise State University, State of Idaho Prof/Tech Education Dept, College of Western Idaho, c. English Language Cooperatives d. Idaho Office for Refugees; Department of Labor; English Language Center; Refugee Resettlement Agencies	c. Boise State University; College of Western Idaho; Northwest Nazarene University d. Proprietary Training Programs College of Western Idaho; Common Ground; Lewis & Clark State College; Idaho State University	Summer, 2011 back to top
Early Childhood Wellbeing
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Ensure refugee children have access to Dept of Health & Welfare’s Infant Toddler Program	a. Facilitate partnership between Dept of Health & Welfare’s regional Infant Toddler Program and the contractor responsible for Refugee Health Screening b. Determine if ASI-R is appropriate for refugee children and if not identify an alternative screening tool	a. Dept of Health & Welfare: Family & Children’s Services Regional Infant Toddler Program b. (TBD) Health Screening Contractor (TBD)	Refugee Resettlement Agencies	October 2010
2. Ensure refugee children have access to Dept of Health & Welfare’s Children’s Mental Health Program	a. Facilitate partnership between Dept of Health & Welfare’s regional Children’s Mental Health Program and Family Medicine Residency of Idaho b. Determine if quick screening tool used by Children’s Mental Health will work for refugee children and, if not, identify an appropriate tool	a. Dept of Health & Welfare: Family & Children’s Services Children’s Mental Health Program Regional Infant Toddler Program b. Health Screening Contractor (TBD)	Refugee Resettlement Agencies	October 2010
3. Eliminate barriers to refugee children enrolling in school and child care	a. DHW rules are being updated this year and will clarify that children with an immunization plan in place should not be excluded from entering school or child care b. Monitor progress and educate supporters c. Provide education to Resettlement Agencies about the application process for the child care subsidy (ICCP) through DHW	Dept of Health & Welfare, Division of Health	Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Idaho Office for Refugees; School Districts	April 2011
4. Provide resources and information for child care providers who are caring for or are interested in caring for refugee children	a. Provide general information to child care providers about refugees. Similar to a “Refugee 101” course so that providers see how they fit in the picture and how they can help b. Provide information on “red flags” or issues specific to certain cultures to child care providers c. Share the introductory information that Resettlement Agencies are providing to new refugee families with child care providers so that everyone has the same information	IdahoSTARS; Idaho Deptartment of Health & Welfare	Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Idaho Office for Refugees; Boise State University; Head Start
5. Provide training to refugees who are providing child care on how to deliver quality child care	a. Obtain curriculum from Idaho Office for Refugees for IdahoSTARS b. Have IdahoSTARS evaluate the curriculum and determine if they have the resources to support the training c. Educate refugee families on the basic responsibilities and requirements related to putting their children in child care including drop off/pick-up times, general paperwork, preparing children for what to expect, etc	a. Idaho Department of Health & Welfare; Idaho Office for Refugees; IdahoSTARS c. Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Childcare Providers	a. Idaho Dept of Labor c. 345-RIDE	January 2011 back to top

Employment Progress Reports: Click Here

Goal: Refugees have ample employment opportunities to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
To download a PDF of this section, click here

Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Establish an Employer Advisory Council to help educate/ inform other employers regarding employment of refugees.	a. Meet with Idaho Office for Refugees and Refugee Resettlement Agencies to determine who should be a part of the committee. (Include Dept of Commerce, Boise Chamber of Commerce) b. Determine the purpose/ goal of the committee, what do we hope to accomplish. c. Build partnerships with committee members. d. Create visibility in Boise with employers. e. Include large & small employers and national , private and public employers (Think Boise First)	Idaho Dept of Labor; Idaho Office for Refugees	Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Department of Health & Welfare; TAFI Program; Chamber of Commerce	Discussions in 2010; Additional planning scheduled for January, 2011
2. Consider and explore employment/ entrepreneurship opportunities		META (Refugee Micro Enterprise Training Program); Employer’s Council	HCD; Mayor’s Economic Development Managers	Longer Term
3. Conduct an Idaho Dept of Labor employer conference (focus on continuing education and language resources, housing, financial incentives, employer access to assistance, etc.)	a. Create and conduct an assessment of what training is currently available and determine potential for use. b. Determine who will conduct the trainings and what curriculum will be used. c. Conduct WorkStyles training d. Create and conduct vocation specific training and English as a Second Language e. Develop a work-related training directory listing all services currently available.	Idaho Dept of Labor; Idaho Office for Refugees; College of Western Idaho; English Language Center; Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Employer (e.g. Saint Alphonsus, Boise State)		Conducted Diversifying Your Healthcare Workforce for Employers 12/2/2010. Consider additional events in 2011
4. Provide language resources for interpretation/ translation and information to employers to overcome language barriers, both oral and written.	a. Create a team to research the options available for language resources; determine needs. b. Determine who should manage and/or own the contract for providing resources and access to resources. c. Educate employers how to bridge language barriers.	Idaho Dept of Labor; Idaho Office for Refugees; Refugee Resettlement Agencies; 211		Ongoing – no expected completion date
5. Evaluate options for a housing project as a means to create job opportunities for Refugees		Idaho Dept of Labor		Long Term back to top
6. Create Vocational Training Programs that lead to Employment.	a. Find funding sources b. Establish training partners c. Promote graduates to employ for hire d. Evaluate training programs	Idaho Office for Refugees; Idaho Dept of Labor; Refugee Agencies	Idaho Office for Refugees; Idaho Department of Labor, Department of Health & Welfare Workforce Development; Sustainable Futures; Create Common Good	Current work underway and ongoing back to top

Health Care Progress Reports: Click Here

Goal: Refugees receive equitable, timely access to quality healthcare maximizing their wellness.
To download a PDF of this section, click here

Interpreters
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Increase the number of trained refugee language interpreters within the healthcare system and enhance their competence, skill levels and ability to maintain professional boundaries.	a. Provide 40 hour Cross Cultural Health Care Program (CCHCP) interpreter training in the Boise area. b. Increase the number & capacity of CCHCP certified trainers in the area to provide sustainability through ongoing training and development needs. c. Provide ongoing training and in-services. d. Adopt national standards as guideline for appropriate behaviors and ethics. e. Reconvene the development group for BoiseInterpeters. com site to enhance the functionality of the site. f. Provide training for providers and interpreters specific to mental health services.	a. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center b. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center c. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center d. Idaho Hospital Association (IHA); Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center e. Boise State University; Institute for Communities & Families f. Idaho Department of Health & Welfare; Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; Terry Riley Health Services/Sane Solutions	b. CCHCP certified trainers e. Other community partnerships	a. 1^st cohort completed in 2010; 2^nd cohort in Spring 2011 b. Ongoing c. Major training for Boise Community, Spring 2011; Present to ISHSH 1/11; adopt by 10/11 at Annual Meeting e. Spring 2011 f. See c. above – focus will be mental health & trauma
Providers
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Increase number of providers and 2. Improve the cultural competence of providers who serve the unique needs of refugee patients	a. Provide cultural competence training or seminars for providers across the continuum of care including physicians, dentists, medical assistants and office staff. Some areas of educational needs identified were: working w interpreters, general cultural competence, Office for Civil Rights/ Joint Commission (OCR/JCo) laws and recommendations, resources for elder care (placement, hospice, end of life, palliative care, funerals), information on different refugee groups and their history as well as the refugee resettlement press, PTSD, Mental health and disparities in healthcare related to race and language. b. Increase number of providers willing to take refugee patients and/or Medicaid. Evaluate options for creating incentives for providers. c. Encourage providers to explore different treatment methodologies such as group based care. d. Increase provider resources for mental health treatment	a. Idaho Hospital Association b. Idaho Hospital Association c. Idaho Hospital Association; Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; Tidwell Services; Terry Reilly Health Services	a. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center; Idaho Office for Refugees; Refugee Health Screening Program; Idaho Medical Association; Board of Medicine; Office for Civil Rights; Office of Minority Health; CMS/JC;mAda County Medical Society; Terry Reilly Health Services; Boise Veterans Administration; Art of Living; Area Agency on Aging; BSU School of Nursing c. All Seasons; Family Medicine Residency of Idaho	Major Training – c. above c. Federal Way
Education & Integration
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Improve and expand orientation process for refugees to address specific healthcare related areas of need such as mental health, dental, utilizing medicine, diet, illness, appropriate utilization of healthcare systems.	a. Provide gender specific orientations and expand access on sexual abuse/domestic violence education (including men). b. Provide STD/HIV/AIDS and reproductive health education. c. Increase use of community volunteers to help refugees navigate U.S. healthcare systems. d. Address continuing orientation needs beyond the initial agency resettlement period to include replicating IOR/IRC best practices – Know your Rights and Responsibilities. e. Provide substance abuse education f. Develop a “Guide to Providers” as a resource for the refugee community.	Idaho Office for Refugees; Refugee Resettlement Agency Case Mgmt.	English Language Center; Boise Police Department; FACES; Planned Parenthood; Community partners; SAMG Care Clinic; Department of Health & Welfare – Health Screening;Terry Riley Health Services; Catholic Charities; Ethnic Community Organizations
Medicaid
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Increase Medicaid reimbursements for providers who utilize interpreters.	a. Advocate for more equitable interpreter reimbursements through CMS. b. Educate providers on obtaining Medicaid reimbursement for both in-person and telephonic interpretation services. c. Advocate for language service reimbursement for hospitals & providers that are not currently eligible. d. Address inability of some mental health providers to receive Medicaid reimbursement.	a. Health and Welfare; Center for Medicaid Services b. Idaho Hospital Association c. Idaho Hospital Association d. Idaho Hospital Association		Saint Alphonsus & Saint Lukes – March 2011
2. Maximize refugee care during the time they are covered by Medicaid.	a. Continue to explore innovative and/or more efficient ways to treat Medicaid patients, such as group treatments & home visits. b. Advocate for increased length of Medicaid funding for refugees. c. Create new sources of funding to support refugee access to care and/or increase utilization of other funding sources. d. Improve Medicaid transportation process.	a. Saint Alphonsus - Federal Way Clinic b. Idaho Hospital Association c. Idaho Hospital Association; Idaho Office for Refugees d. Department of Health & Welfare – Health Screening	b. Idaho Department of Health & Welfare; IPCA c. Ethnic Community Organizations d. Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Idaho Office for Refugees.	Federal Way – van to be commissioned in 2/11

Housing Progress Reports: Click Here

Goal: Refugees enjoy appropriate and affordable housing options in the community.
To download a PDF of this section, click here

Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Increase the availability of suitable rental housing units for refugee households in the Treasure Valley. Examples of “suitable” Proximity to transportation Safe Sanitary Affordable Consider family size	a. Expand the pool of existing properties that accept refugees as tenants. Develop and implement landlord and property manager education and outreach efforts about serving refugee populations. (Note: development of this education material is underway and could be expanded. Outreach ongoing. Opportunity to consider increased focus.) Explore the feasibility of establishing a “reserve fund” to provide assurance to property owners regarding concerns about increased cost associated with housing refugees. Explore the feasibility of creating a “co-signer” pool of stakeholders to assist refugee households with completing eligible rental housing applications. Adopt “rent-reasonableness” standards to be used as a factor in considering property owner participation in the “co-signer” and “reserve fund” pools. b. Develop new affordable rental properties available to the broader Boise community, but with a focus upon family size units. Establish a Project Development Team to define the project(s) concept, location, construction and operating budgets, and development timeline. Adopt “rent-reasonableness” standards to mirror those used for existing participating properties and as a condition of receiving development support. Explore National large, private multistate properties – managed locally. Explore nontraditional/ flexible housing models. Evaluate options for housing projects that could bolster job opportunities for refugees. c. Develop alternative housing options for refugees to assist with initial arrival in the Boise community. Research and clarify Fair Housing implications of “State Department Sponsored” rental housing specifically for refugee households. Obtain clarity from the State Department regarding support of this housing concept (i.e. Traditional Housing model). Develop strategy for working with existing Manufactured Housing properties for new affordable rental properties	a. Boise City Housing, Resettlement Agencies, Landlords/ Developers b. Boise City Housing, Developers See also DOL plan c. Boise City Housing, Refugee Resettlement Agencies Boise City Housing	a. Catholic Charities; Idaho Office for Refugees; El Ada, Valley Regional Transit, United Way, HUD, Habitat for Humanity b. Refugee Resettlement Agencies and potential tenants; Community Outreach Organizations; COMPASS/ Sustainable Communities c. Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Cogitate Community	1^st mtg. in June, 2010 (determine involvement potential – timing, etc. – of Property Managers) Initiate Summer, 2010
2. Increase the availability of rental assistance for refugee households.	a. Improve coordination and leverage of funds between community-based and Resettlement Agencies funds available for housing. Develop better connectedness between refugee resettlement programs, the Boise/Ada County Continuum of Care, local faith communities, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.	Boise City Housing; Refugee Resettlement Agencies		Next Continuum of Care meeting – 6/10/10
3. Increase the availability and coordination of community based support services to refugee households.	a. Improve coordination and leverage of assistance between community- based and Resettlement Agencies programs to ensure refugee households achieve “rent stability”. (Central Clearing House – ombudsman approach)	Boise City Housing; Refugee Resettlement Agencies
4. Increase likelihood of success for refugees to retain their housing (being good neighbors and maintaining good condition of their homes)	a. Provide cultural orientations, training and related resources. b. Utilize “2^nd Chance” program for renters.		Coordinate with Community Development Specialist – Idaho Dept. of Commerce
5. Provide/ increase organization and support of home ownership for refugee families. Build upon existing models.		Habitat for Humanity; United Way; Catholic Charities	Neighborhood Housing	back to top

Social Integration Progress Reports: Click Here

Goal: Refugees and the Boise Community intentionally work together, based on a shared commitment to mutual respect and social justice, to create a secure, welcoming, vibrant and cohesive society.
To download a PDF of this section, click here

Community-Wide
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Establish multi-use refugee community centers to create community gathering, learning and sharing opportunities.	a. Create an exploratory group/advisory committee for the purpose of seeing this project into fruition. b. Identify a corporate entity to support the process of creating a multi-use center. c. Identify potential donated buildings or space for this purpose. d. Identify grant or income generating opportunities. e. Meet with ethnic communities to determine if this is a facility they want and are willing to support and share a common space with other ethnic groups. f. Explore options for leveraging Boise City’s 3 school-based Community Centers for multi purpose use evenings & weekends. (the Centers are strategically located in elementary schools.	a. Ethnic Community Leaders; Reufgee Resettlement Agencies; Boise City Housing; English Language Center	a. Boise School District; Boise Ec Dev; Residency Practice; Catholic Charities; Saint Alphonsus; Community Center of Idaho; Public & Private Partners e. Boise City Parks and Recreation
2. Increase community awareness and support of refugees.	a. Host annual World Refugee Week in Boise encompassing Boise all sectors and the media. Bring awareness about refugees to service providers, schools and the community at large. b. Launch a media campaign with PSAs and news stories highlighting refugees and their contributions to the community. c. Create a PSA addressing who refugees are, why they are here and their legal status. d. Create a refugee speaker bureau for adults & youth. e. Identify and develop opportunities for refugee artists and artisans to share refugee art and culture with the community.	a. Idaho Office for Refugees, Refugee Resettlement Agencies, Boise School District, City of Boise, English Language Center c. Mayor’s Office d. Boise State University e. Idaho Commission on the Arts, City of Boise Arts & History, Artisans for Hope	a. College of Western Idaho c. Human Rights Education Center	In 2010 – June 19 Align with Annual World Refugee Day back to top
Youth
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Provide refugee youth with opportunities to access & participate in activities and the opportunity to relate to and integrate with their American peers.	a. Establish a mentoring program in conjunction with or similar to Big Brother/Big Sister. b. Identify community resources for assistance for school activity cards, team uniforms, yearbooks, etc. c. Develop and/or expand on peer mentoring programs for refugee youth in schools with American students in Sr. & Jr. High. d. Expand afterschool activities for refugee youth through Parks and Recreation e. Explore community-based transportation for refugee youth to participate in outside after school athletics and other extracurricular programs.	a. Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Boise School District; Boise Parks and Recreation; Mayor’s Council on Children and Youth; Boys and Girls Club; Refugee Seniors e. Valley Regional Transit	Big Brothers, Big Sisters
2. Leverage existing community based programs for identifying and addressing the needs of at risk refugee youth.	a. Identify existing/potential needs b. Develop approaches for addressing the needs c. Engage at-risk refugee youth	a. Boise City Police b. Boise Parks & Recreation c. Boise Parks & Recreation
3. Identify opportunities for making WiFi services and equipment available and disseminate information.		IRC Youth Coordinator	Boise Schools	back to top
Civic Engagement & Responsibilities
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Engage refugees as community members and create opportunities for them to give back to the community that has received them.	a. Create volunteer program with orientation for refugees to engage with the community and build skill sets. b. Create learning opportunities (eg. meet the Mayor) for refugees to understand city and state government and how they can engage. c. Continue to expand Know Your Rights and Responsibilities Seminars. Expand seminars to include youth.	a. Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Idaho Office for Refugees; English Language Center c. Idaho Office for Refugees; English Language Center	State of Idaho; Ada County; City of Boise, SW Idaho Volunteer Association; United Way Volunteer Center
2. Maximize support for refugee seniors to participate more fully in civic and cultural opportunities	a. Engage refugee seniors in keeping native culture and languages alive within their community’s youth population. b. Engage mainstream senior service/activity centers to work more with refugee seniors. c. Identify additional existing community services that can be accessed by refugee seniors. d. Document oral histories of refugee seniors capturing language, traditions, culture, personal histories & folklore.	a. SAGE; Area Agency on Aging; Refugee Resettlement Agencies, Idaho Office for Refugees; English Language Center; Boise School District; City of Boise Senior Center; Idaho Commission on the Arts d. Idaho Historical Society	Resource: Story Corps (An NPR radio project to capture oral histories and broadcast them)
3. Educate refugees about the tax system and the responsibilities that come with self employment.		Resettlement Agencies, VITA programs provided by the Internal Revenue Services	International Rescue Committee is VITA credentialed	back to top
Community Volunteers
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Expand the use of volunteers who may be unaffiliated with formal Refugee Resource activities. Encourage involvement at every level in the community to more rapidly assist refugees with their integration process.	a. Provide orientation for refugees on who volunteers are and what they can and cannot do for them. b. Establish consistent curricula and orientation for volunteers working with refugees. Emphasize the goal of working towards self sufficiency and independence utilizing IOR’s Family Self- Sufficiency Progress tool. c. In addition to 211, provide a web-based refugee-specific community resource guide for volunteers mentoring refugees. d. Provide on-going “in-service” learning opportunities for volunteers addressing various themes.	Refugee Resettlement Agencies; English Language Center; Faith community; United Way; civic groups, Boise State University; Boise School District; SW Idaho Volunteer Association		back to top
Immigration/Legal Issues
Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Reduce the incidence of legal issues with refugees through early education about the US and Idaho legal systems.	a. Engage refugees to participate in the Citizens Police Academy. b. Create multiple avenues for communicating laws and consequences of breaking them in a way refugees can understand and adhere to. c. Conduct training programs for refugees on how to interact with police and the use of the 911 resource. Involve refugees willing to speak on their encounters with the law. d. Expand BIA Accreditation services that are offered. Provide refugees with education materials about immigration steps they need to take.	Refugee Resettlement Agencies: Boise City Police, Idaho Office for Refugees	c. Idaho Bar Association Program: Citizen Law	back to top

Transportation Progress Reports: Click Here

Goal: A regionally coordinated network of transportation services supports effective integration of refugee populations into the community.
To download a PDF of this section, click here

Objectives	Action Steps	Responsibility	Partners	Key Dates & Expected Completion Date
1. Develop a transportation mobility assessment toolkit to assist advocates to effectively identify appropriate transportation options to address individual needs of refugees.	a. Draft a scope of work to include a process for gathering input from advocates, refugees, and service providers b. Complete written policies and procedures for how toolkit can best be used c. Develop a training program to assist effective implementation of the toolkit d. Develop and execute program goals and evaluation system for making program adjustments as needed e. Complete Toolkit & Conduct training	Valley Regional Transit COMPASS		a. December 2010 b. December 2010 c. December 2010 d. December 2010 e. March, 2011 & follow up quarterly
2. Complete a Transportation Access Plan to address system-wide travel, employment, and housing patterns to allow for more effective planning of services to support refugee needs.	a. Develop Scope of Work and timeline b. Complete service implementation goals based on short-term, mid-term and long-term options c. Develop an outreach & education plan to assist policy-makers on how service changes can benefit target population. d. Implement outreach plan	Valley Regional Transit COMPASS	Valley Regional Transit Coordinating Council (target populations)	a. January, 2011 b. January, 2011 c. February, 2011 d. March, 2011
3. Develop and implement a comprehensive ongoing education and outreach program to educate key target audiences (advocates, providers, consumers) regarding opportunities and barriers within the area transportation systems.	a. Identify a steering committee b. Develop a scope of work w/ goals and communication strategies c. Implement education/outreach program d. Identify potential audiences for education e. Evaluate program after first year and make adjustments	Valley Regional Transit	United Way; Ethnic Community Based Organizations; Service Agencies	a. December, 2010 b. January, 2011 c. February – July, 2011 d. January, 2011 e. September, 2011
4. Strengthen the regional coordination network through a community-based transportation/ mobility summit to educate leaders, advocates, consumers, and providers on mobility needs and secure and expand a robust coordination network	a. Establish planning committee b. Develop summit work plan to include summit objectives, timeline and assignments c. Hold summit d. Complete summary of findings and develop an action plan	Valley Regional Transit COMPASS		a. January, 2010 b. January, 2010 c. April, 2010 d. June, 2010 (COMPLETED)
5. Identify opportunities to incorporate refugee transportation needs into the mobility services being developed by VRT (vehicle sharing, taxi services, travel training program)	a. Complete program development on mobility programs b. Evaluate refugee needs specific to the program business plan c. Seek funding for implementing programs (see6.)	Valley Regional Transit		a. November, 2010 b. November, 2010 Accessible Vehicle Procurement of 3 vehicles began Nov. 2010 c. Ride-Reimbursement Program to be implemented January, 2011
6. Research and seek grant opportunities to fund mobility programs being developed by VRT to improve mobility to refugee consumers	a. Develop list of potential grant programs by federal, state, and non-profit sources b. Make assignments to various agencies for completing research (Idaho Office for Refugees; Refugee Resettlement Agencies; Valley Regional Transit;, Idaho Department of Labor; Idaho Transportation Department c. Write grants and track results	Shared among all partners(see b) Ethnic Community Based Service Agencies		September 2010
7. Develop a comprehensive approach to improving transportation safety, including driver education and training and bicycle safety, pedestrian safety to meet the unique needs of refugees including driver training courses, translating driving manuals, educating on auto ownership, etc	a. Identify program partners and institute a steering committee b. Complete program development activities c. Secure funding d. Execute programs	Idaho Office on Refugees; Idaho Transportation Department; County Sheriff Department; Boise Police Department		January 2011; Local Driving School contracted. Conduct training 4-6 times each year. back to top