SDRCC Afghan Project

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) allocated  supplemental funds from the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act to the  California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide support services to  newly arrived youth and families from Afghanistan through the Afghan Refugee  School Impact (ARSI) and the Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) programs. 

The goal for the ARSI and AYM programs is to provide community-based and client-centered support services to newly arrived Afghan youth and their families. The purpose of the ARSI and AYM programs is to support the successful  integration of newcomer Afghan youth and their families. 

The funds provided for services pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole  purpose of coordinating and overseeing the provision of linguistically and culturally  responsive case management and support services to youth and families as  approved by CDSS in the Grantee’s program plan.

The ARSI and AYM program coordinate, oversee, and  provide services, which shall include, but not be limited to: 

1. Connections for Basic Needs Support. 

2. Family Engagement and Empowerment. 

3. Youth Engagement and Development. 

4. Development and coordination of a community of practice. 

Activities will integrate approaches in service delivery to Afghan newcomers so as not to exacerbate trauma. The Grantee shall implement policies and procedures for  sustaining staff well-being, including practices for preventing secondary and other trauma.