Integration Programs
The Integration Department is composed of four grant-funded case-management programs aimed at providing continued support beyond the initial 90-Day Reception and Placement period. These programs are designed to help qualifying immigrants on a more personal level as they navigate the new language, customs, and systems of an entirely different society. In each program, refugees collaborate with their case manager to develop a Self-Sufficiency plan that details their goals and objectives. We help them reach these goals by providing referrals, helping them navigate the medical system, assisting them as they access social services and providing ongoing cultural orientation. We hope to empower immigrants as they overcome any barrier to becoming self-sufficient, integrated members of society.
Preferred Communities (VA/MD)
The Preferred Communities Program provides comprehensive wrap-around service to ECDC’s most vulnerable community members. Over a one-year period, the PC program helps these clients access community resources, government benefits such as TCA and SSI, transportation assistance, advocacy or legal aid, and more depending on the client’s circumstances and need. More than in any other program, case managers in the PC program are involved in assisting refugees meet their day-to-day needs as they work their way towards self-sufficiency.
Service to Older Refugees (MD)
The SOR program serves refugees over 60 years of age—who often face exacerbated health challenges, financial insecurity, and great difficulty adjusting to American customs and culture. To overcome the risk of isolation, we provide these clients with increased access to aging services, resources to better understand American society, transportation assistance, and other individualized services as needed. Clients exit this program once they achieve the goals set out in their service plan.
Extended Case Management Program (MD)
This program is a good fit for those clients who are by and large independent, but require targeted assistance overcoming specific barriers to self-sufficiency. ECMP enrollees might need help finding an apartment, getting a driver’s license, re-determining benefits, or applying for financial aid. While case managers assist clients with these needs and more, they do so in a manner that encourages learning and development, rather than dependency. Those enrolled in this program can receive a one-time grant of direct financial assistance, of no more than $100. Once clients achieve their pre-determined goals, they leave this program.
Supporting Communities (VA/MD)
This program aims to empower refugees to address not only their own needs, but the needs of the community. This is a two-part process that begins with helping them find stability and develop self-sufficiency, and ends with coaching in civic engagement and community involvement. We strongly believe that once refugees realize the benefits of civic engagement, they will make time to participate in community building and advocacy efforts. To this end, ECDC conducts social adjustment workshops and civic engagement leadership development while facilitating peer-support groups. We hope to develop and empower our future community leaders.
The Refugee Youth Mentoring Program (RYMP) (VA)
The Refugee Youth Mentoring Program (RYMP) empowers refugee youth by providing access to local, academic and social support. RYMP equips newcomer youth in community integration by developing educational, leadership, communal, occupational and entrepreneurial skills, which will give them a sense of self-sufficiency and cultural amalgamation that will continue beyond the programs’ end.