KOR Programs

Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance

Refugee Cash Assistance
Refugee Cash Assistance is provided to newly arriving refugees who are determined ineligible for TANF, for up to eight months from the date of arrival in the U.S., date of final grant of asylum for asylees, and date of certification for trafficking victims. In Kentucky a single adult on RCA receives $300 a month, and a case of two (married couple, with no minor children) receives $450 a month. It is interim support, and is available until the client earns over 150% of the Federal poverty level or exceeds the eight (8) months of eligibility. In addition to the monthly cash assistance, clients are also eligible for RCA incentives that include a job acceptance and/or job retention bonuses.

Refugee Medical Assistance
Refugee Medical Assistance is provided to newly arriving refugees who are determined ineligible for Medicaid, for up to eight months from the date of arrival in the U.S., date of final grant of asylum for asylees, and date of certification for trafficking victims. The income eligibility standard for medical assistance is 200% of the Federal government poverty guidelines. MulitNational Underwriters, Inc. (MNU), a private health insurer, provides medical benefits for RMA clients during the eight months of coverage.

Refugee Health Screening
Refugees undergo medical screening overseas prior to departure to the US that specifically focuses on medical eligibility for the U.S. Refugee Program. Upon arrival in the U.S. or soon after, however, refugees are advised to undergo a medical screening. The US-based medical screenings managed by State and local health departments or their proxies focus on a wider range of medical conditions and on the general health of new arrivals. The purposes of the U.S.-based medical screening are to protect the public health of U.S. citizens and provide refugees with a level of health and well-being required for and supportive of successful resettlement in the U.S.

Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance Case Management
The Kentucky Office for Refugee is responsible for the administration of the RCA and RMA assistance but the responsibility for determining RCA and RMA eligibility, enrollment into RCA and/or RMA and ongoing income determinations, RCA and RMA orientations, activities related to the Refugee Health Screening, such as making appointments and follow-up activities are managed by the local resettlement agencies.

Mandatory Formula Funding

Refugee Social Services
ORR allocates refugee social service formula funding on the basis of each State’s proportion of the national population of refugees who have arrived in the US during the most recent three-year period. Social Services funding provides for services such as case management, employment assessment, job development and follow up, English Language Training, transportation and interpretation and translation. Services may be provided to refugees who have been in the country up to 60 months (5 years).

Targeted Assistance
ORR allocates Targeted Assistance formula funding to localities, such as counties, with large refugee populations. Qualification of counties eligible for Targeted Assistance Funding is determined once every three years and Jefferson County, KY re-qualified for funding in FY2006 and will remain eligible thru FY2008. The formula is based on the counties’ population of refugees who have arrived during the most recent five year period. Services may be provided to refugees who reside in the qualifying county up to 60 months (5) years from the US date of arrival. Targeted Assistance services in Jefferson County KY include Day Care Assistance, mental health counseling, driver’s training, computer training, vocational scholarships, employment services, special English Language training classes and career planning services.

Discretionary Grants

Discretionary grants are those grants awarded by ORR to eligible grantees such as state and local governments and non-profits, after a competitive process. KOR has been awarded the following discretionary grants.

Refugee Preventive Health Program provides grants to States and State-alternative programs to provide medical screenings in accordance with the Medical Screening Protocol for Newly Arriving Refugees and follow-up activities to newly arriving refugees. Program objectives are to reduce the spread of infectious disease, treat any current ailments, and promote preventive health practices for good health to facilitate refugees’ full participation in activities that encourage self-sufficiency and integration. Services include medical screening for contagious diseases with associated preventive care treatment, health assessments for chronic and other health conditions harmful to refugees' health, interpreter services, information and referral to local health centers/clinics and Medicaid providers, and follow-up services to ensure appropriate treatment. The program also supports health education and orientation for refugees, as well as implementation of coordinated health projects with other Federal and State offices.

KOR utilizes Preventative Health funding to provide translation and interpretation services to support health providers that implement the Refugee Health Screening. KOR works closely with the Family Health Centers in the Louisville Metro Area and the Louisville Metro Public Health Department.

Refugee School Impact Program provides grants to State and State-alternative programs to support impacted school districts with the funds necessary to pay for activities that will lead to the effective integration and education of refugee children. Services target school-age refugees between the ages of five (5) and 18 years of age with program activities that include English as a Second Language instruction, after-school tutorials, programs that encourage high school completion and full participation in school activities, after-school and/or summer clubs and activities, parental involvement programs, bilingual/bicultural counselors, interpreter services and other services.

Services to Older Refugees Program provides grants to States and State-alternative programs, public, and private non-profit organizations, to ensure that refugees aged 60 and above are linked to mainstream aging services in their community. ORR has an interagency agreement with the U.S. Administration on Aging to identify ways in which the Aging and ORR networks can work together more effectively at the State and local levels to improve elderly refugees’ access to services. Program objectives are to (a) establish and/or expand a working relationship with the State Agency on Aging and the local community Area Agency on Aging to ensure all older refugees in the community will be linked to mainstream aging services in their community; (b) provide appropriate services to all older refugees that are not currently being provided in the community; (c) create opportunities to enable older refugees to live independently as long as possible; and (d) develop services for or link older refugees to naturalization services, especially for those who have lost or are at risk of losing Supplemental Security Income and other Federal benefits.

Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program provides opportunities for improving the livelihoods of refugee families in agriculture and food sector business through partnerships with federal, state and local, and public and private organizations that cooperate in the coordination and utilization of resources focused on sustainable income and community food security. The focus of the RAPP in Kentucky is to introduce local refugee communities to the established agricultural and farming communities. This partnership will enable for refugees with backgrounds in farming to have increased access to fresh, locally grown healthy foods. This partnership will also provide locally grown produce to the Louisville immigrant and refugee population and the community as a whole. This program began October 2007.