About DCORR
The District of Columbia Office of Refugee Resettlement (DCORR) helps refugees who come to the United States by running different programs funded by the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP). This program is supported by a federal law called Title IV of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It provides refugees with assistance and services to help them settle into their new home. The goal of the RRP is to make sure refugees feel welcome and included in their new community and to provide support to become self-sufficient. DCORR works with other government offices like the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and local groups to achieve this goal.
Services
Refugee Social Services
Refugee Social Services provides employability and case management support for refugees. The aim of employability services is to help refugees become financially independent as soon as they can. Catholic Charities Refugee Services Center is the designated RSS provider and offers job help and other services to overcome challenges like getting used to a new culture, finding a job, and gaining work experience.
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a time-limited cash assistance program for refugees who are not eligible for any other cash assistance, such as TANF. RCA is available to eligible refugee populations for up to 4 months from date of admission to the U.S., date of final grant of asylum or date of certification as a victim of trafficking. Refugee Cash Assistance recipients must meet program eligibility requirements and must also register with the Refugee Social Services Provider for continued receipt of RCA benefits. To apply for or find out more about RCA benefits, please contact or visit the DHS Economic Service Administration (ESA). All applicants will need to show proof of registration with the Refugee Social Services provider.
Refugee Health Services
Medical Screening
DCORR collaborates with contracted service providers to ensure newly arrived refugee populations receive a comprehensive domestic medical screening, appropriate healthcare follow-up, and referrals. All refugees should receive a domestic medical screening upon arrival in the United States.
Refugee Health Promotion
The Refugee Health Promotion program promotes the health and well-being of refugees by providing opportunities to increase health literacy, medical care coordination, and organizing socialization groups to promote emotional wellness and socialization.
Refugee School Impact
The Refugee School Impact program helps newly arrived refugee children adjust to school and improve their academic performance. It offers special services and support for refugee youth, especially those who are new to the area. The program also helps families understand how the U.S. school system works and helps schools become better equipped to support refugee students. It aims to help refugee children and families feel connected to their school and community, learn about different cultures, get involved in their community, and improve their language skills.
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM)
DCORR runs the URM program and works with the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to provide foster care that respects the culture and language of URM youth who are in the United States without parents or who come to the U.S. alone. If refugee children come with their families but later face family problems, they might qualify for the URM program. ORR decides who can join the program, and the child must be under 18 years old.
Two main resettlement agencies, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, help ORR with the URM program. They find eligible children who need URM services, decide where to place them with their network of agencies, and provide training, research, and technical support for URM services. Affiliated agencies work with state refugee programs to offer URM services. In the District, the URM program is supported by Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA), which is part of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services.
Refugee Youth Mentoring
The refugee youth mentoring program pairs young refugees with mentors who provide guidance, support, and friendship as they adjust to their new lives in the community. Mentors help refugee youth navigate challenges such as school, culture, and language, while also promoting positive social connections and integration into their new environment. Through regular meetings and activities, mentors and mentees build trust and understanding, fostering personal growth and resilience in refugee youth.
Repatriation Services
The U.S. Repatriation Program provides temporary assistance to United States (U.S.) citizens and their dependents that are identified by the U.S. Department of State with a need to return from a foreign country to the U.S. If an American citizen in a foreign country becomes ill, is without funds or needs to be returned to the U.S. because of a threatening situation in a foreign country, a loan and necessary services are provided through the Repatriation Program.
To participate in this program, contact the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country in which you are currently residing. For additional information, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Eligibility
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a refugee is an individual who has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals who meet this 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. Program services focus on new arrivals and those who have been in the U.S. for five years or less. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) serves the following eligible populations:
- Paroled as a Refugee or Asylee
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban and Haitian Entrants
- Amerasians
- Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
- Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant (SI) Visa Holders
- Lawful Permanent Residents (with previous refugee status)
- Afghans Humanitarian Parolees
- Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees
- Victims of Trafficking