These stories are just a few examples of the hundreds of requests for assistance BRYCS receives each year. Read about how BRYCS assisted refugee resettlement and mainstream service providers with their direct work with refugee families experiencing family conflict, parenting challenges, difficulties accessing services in school, and more.*
*The names of the individuals and some of the details about their situations have been changed in order to protect their identity. The photos represent the many countries that resettled refugees come from and do not represent the particular children or families mentioned in each story in order to respect their confidentiality.
“The clearinghouse is most important – it’s like Google for refugee youth info. Anything you need to know, you look for it on BRYCS.”
“BRYCS Web site is a great resource and I learn so much from it. Your website has impacted the way I provide technical assistance to my subgrantees in an educational setting.”
“BRYCS helped me find research directly related to my work (quickly!) & to network with other organizations to learn about new program designs / ideas. They have been an incredible resource for my organization!”
“BRYCS listserv is a great way to connect with others around the country – get their feedback, learn about other programs & explore other resources.”
“BRYCS is a critical component to support strong programs on a national level. I feel reassured that I can always pick up the phone & reach someone who is knowledgeable & competent to answer my questions & clarify my understanding of a particular topic.”
BRYCS helps a family stay together
After viewing BRYCS’ Webinar, “Recognizing Suspected Child Maltreatment in Culturally Diverse Populations,” a refugee resettlement caseworker called about a Congolese family having difficulties in the home related to parenting. BRYCS staff connected the worker with a local child welfare agency to access family preservation services, provided the worker with parenting resources, and discussed working with the school for support services. Subsequently, this refugee family accessed mainstream child welfare and school-related services, which helped improve the family’s stability. BRYCS’ involvement both directly assisted this family and improved the capacity of the refugee resettlement agency to handle similar types of cases in the future.
BRYCS helps with high needs Bhutanese family in the Midwest
A refugee resettlement office contacted BRYCS regarding a complex Bhutanese refugee family, involving a non-verbal 12-year-old with severe developmental delays and aggressive behavior, and a younger sibling with more moderate developmental delays. The boys’ behaviors were putting themselves and others at risk and the family was having trouble enrolling them in school. The local agency sought guidance in identifying resources to assist the family. BRYCS worked with the local agency to consult with the state refugee coordinator, the child welfare system, the schools, and a local children’s hospital. Thanks to BRYCS’ involvement with the case and BRYCS’ depth of resources nationally, when the family relocated, BRYCS was able to contact the Refugee School Impact program in the family’s new city and also brief the nearest resettlement office so they could prepare to assist the family. When BRYCS followed up, it was reported that the younger child was enrolled in school and they were working on enrolling the older child in special education.
BRYCS connects CASA with Burmese Organizations
BRYCS was contacted by a psychology doctoral student in the Midwest for general information regarding Burmese refugees. While responding to the stated TA inquiry, it became evident that the student’s interest in Burmese refugees stemmed from her professional work with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. Through the CASA program she had been assigned to several Burmese refugee children removed from their parents following charges of abuse. BRYCS contacted SEARAC and other partners and connected the student and CASA program with several Burmese community based organizations to help with cultural and interpretation services. BRYCS also used this opportunity to provide additional resources and assistance to CASA related to refugees and child welfare concerns. BRYCS’ involvement has meant that the Burmese children and families CASA was working with received culturally and linguistically appropriate services, avoiding potentially harmful misunderstandings. Moreover, as CASA works with any refugee child in the future, not just Burmese, they will be aware of how to access refugee-specific child welfare resources.
BRYCS consults with Refugee School Impact service provider on Congolese youth/family
Recently, BRYCS received a technical assistance (TA) request from a caseworker assisting two Congolese youth who were expressing suicidal feelings and experiencing family conflict. BRYCS consulted with the caseworker regarding family strengthening, refugee mental health and parenting resources, and referred the caseworker to the Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center (RHTAC) for further assistance on the clinical component on the case. When BRYCS followed up, this service provider was using the resources, connecting with the local child welfare department to inquire about family preservation services, and discussing the possibility of doing parenting workshops with local refugee resettlement agencies.