Quarterly Newsletter
National Policies with a Local Impact: Refugee Wellness Program Update
(As published in the Jordan Institute for Families 2018 Holiday Newsletter)
The New Year is likely to bring worry to millions of families seeking safety inside U.S. borders. Due to federal policy changes, only 30,000 people will be allowed into the U.S. through the refugee resettlement program next year. To put this number in perspective, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees reported that 25.4 million people in the world have been granted legal refugee status, and over 68 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, largely due to conflict or persecution. People who have refugee status often live in camps or countries where they are treated as second class citizens, barred from working or living with fewer protections than citizens.
Low resettlement numbers here in the U.S. decreases the chances of reunification for families with some members who have already immigrated and were separated through war or immigration policy, significantly lengthening the time where they must live in uncertainty of seeing loved ones in their lifetime. The Refugee Wellness team has seen first hand that it’s hard to heal from trauma when loved ones are still in danger and families are separated without knowing a timeline for reuniting. As policies change, distress grows as families cope with an uncertain future. Despite these new stresses, the team sees many examples of resilience and strength as families continue their dreams of starting a new life in the Triangle.
Changes to federal refugee resettlement policies also impact the resources available to serve new arrivals and refugee families who are already resettled in North Carolina, potentially cutting programs that provide resources to families after their initial financial support ends 3 months after arrival. Like the families they serve, the Refugee Wellness team is maintaining hope and working hard to secure funding so that families with refugee status living in the Triangle have access to mental and emotional care.
The team of one full time staff and five MSW students started 3 community support groups, with 4 new groups starting in January. They did 4 community trainings on refugee mental health and trauma during the fall semester, and provided direct mental health services to 44 individuals between July and November. The Jordan Institute continues to provide support to the team as they write grants and plan to redesign mental healthcare in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and culturally appropriate for families with refugee status.
Questions? Please email Marlowe Crews, MSW, Project Director.
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