{"id":840,"date":"2023-10-16T17:40:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T17:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/?page_id=840"},"modified":"2023-10-23T16:44:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:44:21","slug":"task-1-pre-arrival-preparation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/task-1-pre-arrival-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"Task # 1: Pre Arrival Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”826″ css=”.vc_custom_1697474833047{background-color: #f5f5ed !important;background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column 0=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Pre Arrival Preparation” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:35|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Unna%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1697488313846{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1493295493496{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” border_width=”3″ el_width=”10″ accent_color=”#0000d3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Get Prepared” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:left|color:%23595959″ google_fonts=”font_family:Unna%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text 0=””]Background:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) <\/span>Learn about them<\/span>: Cross cultural relationship building improves when we know more about the\u00a0 countries and the conflicts that caused international displacement. Countries studies for the\u00a0 Temporary Protected Status Countries (TPS) are attached for your review. Refugees flee conflict,\u00a0 see websites below to understand what issues surround the newcomer move.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) <\/span>Learn from them<\/span>: While International newcomers also have much to learn about their new\u00a0 homeland, they also have much to teach us: 1) language, 2) an international perspective, and 3)\u00a0 native customs and traditions, and 4) their religion and faith.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3) <\/span>Learn with them<\/span>: The resettlement process is filled with complex resettlement tasks that require\u00a0 a joint effort between the newcomer, volunteer, and resettlement caseworker. There is much to\u00a0 accomplish within the first 1<\/span>st <\/span>30, 60 and 90 days. Most federal financial assistance ends at the 90-day mark where newcomers \u201cgraduate\u201d from resettlement agencies. However, expecting\u00a0 international newcomers to learn English, find a job, buy a car and resettle into school\u00a0 etc.\u2026within the 90 day time-limit is almost impossible. Survival beyond the 90-day period falls\u00a0 to the teamwork of the newcomer and volunteer(s).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suggested Actions Prior to newcomer(s) arrival:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Contact resettlement caseworker and obtain country study or download country study sheets\u00a0 from the <\/span>Interlinkt <\/span><\/i>website. Review additional websites below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Identify number, age, and genders of incoming newcomers. Advertise clothing needs within the\u00a0 church\/community (this is a team effort) for items needed for local area (clothes, coats, shoes\u00a0 etc…)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Identify household items required for newcomer\u2019s apartment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Identify newcomer homeland cuisine recipes, identify supermarkets restaurants that serve\u00a0 dishes or sell international ingredients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Each state and community have different procedures. Users of Interlinkt are invited to provide\u00a0 local area website links that will be added to <\/span>Interlinkt<\/span><\/i>. This can be done via Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> or emailing interlinktwelcome@gmail.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supporting Documents\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) International Newcomers will initially provide all documents (usually in a plastic International\u00a0 Organization for Migration -IOM) for the refugee caseworker. Upon arrival place documents\u00a0 in a safe file organizer see Task #3, Important Papers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Make digital copies of apartment lease (needed for school registration and other tasks) see Task\u00a0 #2. As a best practice, having newcomers make digital copies stored in their phone allows them\u00a0 to email needed documents immediately to service agencies as needed (example: apartment\u00a0 lease for school registration).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cultural Background & Related Websites\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Having an overview of newcomer country backgrounds may help the volunteer be culturally\u00a0 sensitive and aware of customs and traditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) The following websites can provide some vital information.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. BBC News Country Profiles – <\/span>http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/2\/hi\/country_profiles\/default.stm<\/span> <\/a><\/li>\n
  2. The World Factbook – <\/span>https:\/\/www.cia.gov\/the-world-factbook\/countries\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Temporary Protected Status Countries – <\/span>https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/humanitarian\/temporary protected-status<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    3) Additionally, see attached country summaries provided by students at Dallas Baptist\u00a0 University.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    An initial list of tasks: <\/b>Within 30 days, most tasks can be done concurrently. Asterisks (*) indicate\u00a0 actions normally led by resettlement agencies (community neighbor teams assist). Newcomers being\u00a0 resettled by Welcome Corps sponsors can follow the same task list.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #1 – Pre arrival preparation.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    Task #2 – (*) Housing \u2013 Welcome baskets, furniture, and clothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #3 – File Folder For Travel Documents, Important Files\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #4 – (*) Receive initial medical records and enroll individual (s) in designated medical facility. Obtain\u00a0 Vaccination records in medical facility (sealed envelope) for school registration. Refugee \u00a0 Medicaid is only good for 90 days. Reapply for regular Medicaid after 90 days or apply for\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #5 – (*) SSN \u2013 within 10 days of arrival (new requirement may require a wait for 2 week delay). \u00a0 Needed for Bank account.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #6 – (*) Begin English as Second Language Training- ESL Training: 1) public transportation, 2)\u00a0 shopping, 3) Job Training 3) Job Application, 4) Job Interview, 5) Job Culture, 6) private\u00a0 insurance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #7 – (*) Register\/enroll school aged children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Assist students in signing for individual laptop, open up student account, ESL tutoring, parent training, soccer\/other sports\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #8 – (*) Begin Job Training and placement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #9 – (*) Employment Authorization Card <\/span>https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/green-card\/green-card-processes-<\/span><\/a>and-procedures\/employment-authorization-document<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #10 – (*) Register families for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Special Supplemental \u00a0 Nutrition Program (SNAP) <\/span>https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/snap\/supplemental-nutrition-assistance <\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #11 – (*) Register newcomers for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) <\/span>https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/wic<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n

    Task #12 – Shopping, ethnic foods, clothes, shoes\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #13 – (*) Financial Literacy – Bank Account \u2013 checking + credit card, savings + debit card, Checks and \u00a0 overdraft protection. Loans and interest rates. Direct deposit (or monthly fees). <\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #14 \u2013 Driver\u2019s Permit (online test), Driver\u2019s License\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Task #15 – Newcomer Trauma\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”843″ css=”.vc_custom_1697475918352{padding-top: 300px !important;padding-bottom: 300px !important;background-color: #f5f5ed !important;background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column 0=””][vc_custom_heading text=”“Building bridges of hope for a more secure future.“” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:60|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Unna%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1697488148403{margin-bottom: -20px !important;background-color: #78987e !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”1173″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Feedback to improve the Interlinkt Telephone app can be sent to: interlinktwelcome@gmail.com,\u00a0 Interlinkt Facebook Messenger, Instagram Interlinkt, or What\u2019s App\/Signal # +1 719 357 5117<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”826″ css=”.vc_custom_1697474833047{background-color: #f5f5ed !important;background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column 0=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Pre Arrival Preparation” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:35|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Unna%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1697488313846{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1493295493496{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” border_width=”3″ el_width=”10″ accent_color=”#0000d3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Get Prepared” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:left|color:%23595959″ google_fonts=”font_family:Unna%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text 0=””]Background:\u00a0\u00a0 1) Learn about them: Cross cultural relationship building improves when we know more about the\u00a0 countries and… View Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/840"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=840"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1172,"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/840\/revisions\/1172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blackcatsolutions.net\/interlinkt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}