Refugee School Impact Program

ORIA Program Manager
Contact Information:

Whitney Eich
Whitney.Eich@dshs.wa.gov

Washington State is one of many states receiving Refugee School Impact funds from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. RSI program’s goals are to promote academic performance and successful integration of eligible children through facilitating education access, and increasing school districts’ capacity to support children, youth, and families.

RSI funds are set aside to serve many different refugee and immigrant populations through different channels. Please view the table and drop-down subsections below for more information about each part of this program.

Program
Population(s) Served
Refugee School Impact
Any ORR-eligible* refugee children, ages 5-18
Ukrainian Refugee School Impact
Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees
Afghan Refugee School Impact
Afghan Humanitarian Parolees and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders
Early Refugee School Impact
ORR-eligible* refugee children, ages 0-5
Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to Schools
All school-aged Afghan Humanitarian Parolees and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders
Afghan Youth Empowerment Program
ORR-eligible* youth ages 14-22

*To view a list of ORR-eligible populations, visit the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s webpage on Eligibility and Benefits.

View a list of Refugee School Impact program service providers on our interactive resource tool.

Refugee School Impact

Services include, but are not limited to:
  • Short term para-educator support for new arrivals to help them navigate their first days of school
  • In-class tutoring for struggling students
  • After school tutoring during the week and on weekends
  • Assistance with completing high school requirements for high school students
  • Workshops for parents on topics such as school navigation, bullying, literacy, math activities for home, high school preparation, and college readiness
  • Training for community organizations to strengthen their knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices in schools
  • Training for school district staff to better understand refugee groups and the refugee experience here
Eligibility
Individuals may be eligible for services if they:
  • Are children ages 5-18, or the parents of eligible children.
  • Have been in the United States less than five years.
  • Have an immigration status that makes them eligible for federally-funded refugee services from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).  For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Ukrainian Refugee School Impact, and Afghan Refugee School Impact

Services include, but are not limited to:
  • After school tutoring during the week and on weekends.
  • Field trips and outdoor learning activities.
  • Summer programs and activities.
  • Assistance with completing high school requirements for high school students.
  • Workshops for parents on topics such as school navigation, bullying, literacy, math activities for home, high school preparation, and college readiness.
  • Training for community organizations to strengthen their knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices in schools.
Eligibility
Individuals may be eligible for services if they:
  • Are children ages 5-18, or the parents of eligible children; and
  • Have an immigration status that makes them eligible to receive benefits and services under the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriation Act*; or
  • Have an immigration status that makes them eligible to receive benefits and services under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act.*
*For more information about ASA and AUSAA eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Early Refugee School Impact

The Early Refugee School Impact set-aside funding is designed to promote access to child care, to ensure that Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible children are prepared to succeed in formal schooling, and to support parents of young children through engagement activities.

Services include, but are not limited to:

  • Preschool/daycare systems navigation support.
  • Parent workshops.
  • Play and learn groups.
  • Developmental screenings.
  • Child development support.

Eligibility

Individuals may be eligible for services if they:

  • Are children between the ages of 0-5, or the parents of eligible children.
  • Have been in the United States less than five years.
  • Have an immigration status that makes them eligible for federally-funded refugee services from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).  For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to Schools

Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to Schools funds services that promote the academic performance and successful integration of eligible Afghan children and youth.  DSHS partners with the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to administer this funding to school districts serving refugees from Afghanistan.
 
Eligibility
Individuals may be eligible for services if they:
  1. Are children ages 5-18, or the parents of eligible children.
  2. Have an immigration status that makes them eligible to receive benefits and services under the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriation Act.  For more information about ASA eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Afghan Youth Empowerment Program

The Afghan Youth Empowerment Program is co-funded by the Refugee School Impact Program, and the Refugee Health Promotion Program. The program coordinates culturally relevant and appropriate group activities, support groups, and workshops tailored to Afghan refugee youth (ages 14 – 22) in King County.

Eligibility

Individuals may be eligible for services if they:

  1. Are between the ages of 14 and 22.
  2. Have been in the United States less than five years.
  3. Have an immigration status that makes them eligible for federally-funded refugee services from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
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