The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67402

Kate H. Hayward, BA, Immigration and Refugee Services of America, 1717 Massachusetts Ave, NW, suite 701, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 797-2105, khayward@irsa-uscr.org, Raqiya Abdalla, MSc, Somali Family Care Network, 4547 Maxfield Drive, Annandale, VA 22003, Sergut Wolde-yohannes, PhD, Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, 801B Tremont Street, Bpston, MA 02118, and Nawal Nour, MD, MPH, Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115.

Health and social service providers come face-to-face with foreign-born clients in their everyday clinical settings yet often they do not have a full knowledge of the conditions these clients may have faced in their home countries and refugee camps and the processes by which they came to the United States. Further, time constraints, language barriers, and a need to focus on the presenting condition may allow for only a summary understanding of the psychosocial and legal issues facing the client. However it is very important to understand the clients’ immigration experience if we desire to provide truly culturally appropriate services.

The Refugee 101 training module offers the participant an opportunity to learn about both the broader legislative and foreign policy perspective as well as the “nuts and bolts” of refugee processing. Security issues, non-citizens rights (such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act), and the future of the refugee program (which has been severely curtailed as a result of 9/11) is discussed. The module is offered in an open Q&A style which allows the trainer to meet the audience at their level of knowledge which differs from community to community.

Participants in this session discuss the particular access/barrier issues affecting foreign born and non-citizens, particularly but not exclusively refugees. The session creates a foundation for providers to understand the differences between refugees, asylum seekers, asylees, entrants, immigrants and non-immigrants. With this knowledge, African women can be evaluated with a deeper comprehension and compassion.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the following groups of newcomers to the United States: refugees; asylum seekers; asylees; entrants; immigrants; and non-immigrants. Understand the specifics of these statuses and differentiate the process by which these groups can come and live in the United States.
• Evaluate the historical, political and humanitarian threads of US immigration policy.
• Understand the benefits and services available for refugees and immigrants and how one’s status in the US affects ones ability to access the US health care system.

Keywords: Immigrant Women, Refugees

Related Web page: www.brighamandwomens.org/africanwomenscenter

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Office of Refugee Resettlement
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Office of Refugee Resettlement - grant