(1) As used in this section:

(a) ‘Eligible agency’ means an agency that has contracted with the United States Department of State under 8 U.S.C. § 1522(c) to provide initial resettlement and case management services to refugees.

(b) ‘Refugee’ means an individual who is not a United States citizen, who has been in the United States for 60 months or less and who is any of the following:

(A) A refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157.

(B) An asylee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1158.

(C) A Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 401.2.

(D) A parolee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5).

(E) An Amerasian immigrant lawfully admitted to the United States who is described in 8 U.S.C. § 1612(a)(2)(A)(v).

(F) A victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons and the victim’s family members who are eligible for benefits and services from federal and state programs under 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(1)(A).

(G) An Iraqi or an Afghan citizen who is a principal noncitizen provided with the status of special immigrant by the United States Department of Homeland Security under:

(i) Section 1059(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, P.L. 109-163, 119 Stat. 3444;

(ii) Section 1244(b) of the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007, P.L. 110-181, 122 Stat. 397; or

(iii) Section 602(b) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, P.L. 111-8, 123 Stat. 807.

(2) The Department of Human Services shall award grants to eligible agencies to provide the following services to refugees residing in this state, for up to 24 months:

(a) Assisting refugees with department programs by:

(A) Referring refugees to the department within three days of the refugee’s arrival in this state;

(B) Completing applications for assistance;

(C) Transporting the refugee to the initial appointments with the department;

(D) Providing to the department all necessary eligibility information known to the eligible agency; and

(E) Coordinating services of the department with other social service agencies.

(b) Assisting refugees with:

(A) Navigating the health care and mental health systems, including providing assistance in applying for medical assistance;

(B) Accessing housing assistance and finding stable housing;

(C) Setting up utilities and paying utility bills;

(D) Issues with landlords;

(E) Navigating legal or criminal issues including services for victims of crime;

(F) Accessing in-home services including parenting assistance, English as a second language instruction, medical and psychosocial support; and

(G) Navigating the culture of the United States.

(c) Providing transportation to appointments.

(d) Training refugees on using public transportation.

(e) Providing immigration assistance and referrals.

(f) Advocating on behalf of refugees regarding domestic violence, federal laws and hate crimes.

(g) Providing refugees with interpretation services and assistance with access to language services.

(h) Providing referrals for refugees to culturally specific support groups and services, including religious organizations.

(i) Pairing refugees with volunteers for English as a second language training and ongoing language support.

(j) Providing support to refugees in budgeting and achieving financial literacy.

(k) Identifying refugees’ employment skills and providing referrals to employment skills training and other job support services.

(L) Problem solving with refugees and assisting refugees with life skills development.

(m) Ensuring that refugees have access to psychosocial support and emotional wellness education.

(n) Coordinating medical services for refugees including referring to and coordinating with agencies that determine eligibility for disability benefits.

(o) Providing family preservation services, legal services and social service support for domestic violence and child welfare issues.

(p) Assisting newly arrived refugee children in accessing services to strengthen the children’s academic performance and successful integration into the community.

(q) Other services necessary to assist refugees in accessing programs administered by the department. [2019 c.589 § 1; 2022 c.97 § 12]

411.139 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 411 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

[Amended by 1961 c.517 § 1; repealed by 1971 c.779 § 78]

FINANCING OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE