Michigan Newcomer Resource Hub 

Government-appointed nonprofit organizations, frequently associated with the faith community, that provide resettlement services through a network of local affiliates for refugee populations designated by the U.S. Department of State. These organizations take the lead in helping newly arrived refugees or refugee families make an adjustment to their new home and community. Services provided by local affiliates may include reception for arriving refugees; provision of a “welcome kit” of immediate necessities; periodic visits with the family during the early days of their transition; collection and provision of household goods; cultural orientation and ESL classes; and assistance in locating housing and employment, using public transportation and identifying other needed services.

Federal income maintenance programs administered by the county that provide time-limited financial assistance for refugees and eligible entrants while they are in the process of resettling in the United States.

A federally-funded program administered locally by the county or the state that enables low-income and indigent households to obtain an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card similar to a bank debit card which can be used in most grocery stores to purchase food. Approved households are entitled to purchase a designated amount of food utilizing their cards based on net income and household size. Benefits are generally available in an EBT account within 30 days from the date an application was filed. Expedited food stamps are available within seven days for people who are in an emergency situation and whose income and spendable resources for that month are within specified limits.

A state program with matching federal block grant funds administered by the county or the state under state guidelines that provides time-limited cash assistance for needy families with (or expecting) children as well as job preparation, work opportunities and access to supportive services such as child care which enable parents receiving assistance to leave the program and become self-sufficient. TANF, which ends the federal entitlement known as AFDC, creates a five-year lifetime limit on cash assistance for most adult recipients; requires that recipients be working or participating in a work-related activity within two years and cooperate with comprehensive child support enforcement efforts including paternity establishment; and contains special live at home and stay in school provisions for teenage parents. States have wide latitude in structuring their TANF programs and may obtain waivers which exempt them from specific federal requirements. Recipients may receive monthly checks or be given electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards which allow them to access their cash benefits at automated teller machines (ATMs) or point of sale (POS) equipment that is located in grocery stores, banks and other commercial locations.

A federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash benefits for disabled workers who are fully insured under the program, who are not capable of substantial gainful work and who have completed a five month waiting period.

Programs that provide partial income replacement for a limited period of time for eligible individuals who become unemployed.

The community centers and other sites where older adults and low income individuals and families can obtain assistance from a trained VITA volunteer in completing their tax return forms.

Programs that accept and make administrative decisions regarding immigration petitions and naturalization applications submitted by immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization.

Programs that provide a wide variety of legal and supportive services (which may include information, counseling, application completion and filing assistance and/or legal representation, when required) for immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization. Issues may include procedures for obtaining student, visitor and employment-based visas; family immigration; asylee status; lawful permanent residence status; and/or citizenship.

Programs that assist in filing petitions by aliens who are seeking admission to the United States with the intention of residing in the U.S. on a permanent basis. In most cases, a relative or prospective employer files the immigrant visa application on behalf of the individual. Certain applicants such as investors, workers with extraordinary ability and certain special immigrants may petition on their own behalf. Petitioners apply for a specific immigrant classification for the beneficiary, e.g., priority worker, spouse of a lawful permanent resident and, when the petition has been approved, wait until a visa number becomes available.

Programs that provide legal counseling and/or representation for low-income individuals who need assistance in routine legal matters, usually in the area of bankruptcy, housing, public benefits, family law, elder law or immigration/naturalization.

County or state offices that accept applications and determine eligibility for the Medicaid program; and reinstate individuals who have lost their Medicaid benefits due to incarceration, institutionalization, noncompliance or other reasons. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicaid applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Organizations that help families obtain health insurance for their children under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program that is jointly financed by the federal and state governments and administered by the states. In some states, CHIP is an expansion of the Medicaid program and allows children of parents with higher incomes than were allowable in the past to participate and receive health insurance through Medicaid. In other states, CHIP is a separate program from Medicaid and covers children whose parents have incomes that are higher than the state’s Medicaid eligibility levels. Within broad Federal guidelines, each state determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. The insurance pays for doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits, but additional services may be available depending on the benefits defined by the state. Depending on the family’s income, insurance premiums and co-pays may apply.

Programs, which may be available on a 24-hour basis, that provide walk-in treatment services for people who have minor illnesses or injuries. Urgent care centers serve as an alternative to hospital emergency departments for episodic care that can not be delayed until an appointment at a physician’s office is available; and are often equipped to provide services not generally available in primary care physician offices, e.g., have x-ray facilities that allow for treatment of minor fractures and foreign bodies such as nail gun injuries and/or minor care trauma rooms that facilitate the repair of minor and moderate to severe lacerations that can be treated in an urgent care center.

Consumer-based, community-controlled, nonprofit outpatient facilities that provide basic health care including physical examinations, immunizations, family planning, nutrition assistance and diagnosis and treatment of common ailments for low income people, people who are homeless or uninsured/underinsured or other medically underserved populations that are geographically, economically and culturally challenged. Services are generally provided on an ability-to-pay basis. In the U.S., most community clinics are part of the network of Federally Qualified Health Centers, and many are known as “free clinics”.

Programs that provide inoculations or other prophylactic measures to prevent susceptible individuals from contracting specific diseases for which means of control have been developed including immunizations recommended specifically for newborns and young children, booster shots to prevent the occurrence of childhood illnesses in adolescence and adulthood, inoculations recommended specifically for pregnant individuals and immunizations against illnesses such as shingles and pneumonia for older adults.

Programs that provide financial assistance to purchase necessary prescription drugs for people who would be in an emergency situation without assistance. Also included are programs that reimburse individuals for their prescription expenses, usually on an annual basis. Prescription expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people experiencing a mental health crisis such as a psychotic episode with the objective of defusing the crisis, often working closely with mobile crisis teams on standby, and helping the person develop a plan to link with resources for ongoing assistance, if required. A mental health crisis is a non-life threatening situation in which an individual exhibits extreme emotional disturbance or behavioral distress, is considering harm to him or herself or others, is disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitated and unable to be calmed. Other common indicators include feelings of intense sadness or depression, sleeping or eating problems, anxiety, severe distress, grief, anger or aggression, scattered, unfocused thinking, self-doubt, loss of motivation, lack of patience or irritability and paranoia. The service is generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups, medication and other mental health services for community residents, especially those who are indigent, who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders or who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse. Included may be city and county-operated and nonprofit facilities.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs or are at risk of a substance use related disorder. Services may include defusing the crisis, ensuring the person’s safety and information about alternatives the person may explore to begin recovering. Substance use related hotlines are also typically available to significant others of people who are involved with drugs and/or excessive alcohol use. Hotline staff can generally be reached via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that serve as gatekeeper agencies which evaluate individuals who are in need of services related to an alcohol or other drug use disorder and triage them for the limited number of subsidized beds that may be available in the community. Some programs may also offer medical detoxification services for people who need them.

Programs that provide assistance and support for individuals who are physically dependent on substances of any kind during the withdrawal period. Detoxification is a medical regimen aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal by systematically reducing the amount of the addictive substance in a patient’s body, providing reasonable control of active withdrawal symptoms and/or averting a life-threatening medical crisis related to the substance. Detoxification is generally conducted under the supervision of a physician, can take place in a wide variety of settings and at a number of levels of intensity within these settings and has three stages: evaluation, stabilization and fostering patient readiness for and entry into treatment.

Supervised, structured programs that offer a wide range of outpatient services which may be coordinated by a case manager and may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and supportive services (such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development) for individuals who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs and need access to treatment to maintain their individual recovery plans but do not require the intensity of a day treatment program or 24-hour hospital care. Participants attend the program on a regularly scheduled basis at least once a month but usually more frequently depending on their individual needs. Intensive outpatient programs are usually available three or four days per week for three or four hours per day.

Programs that offer opportunities for non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking adults to learn listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on developing the level of communication competence that is essential for adults who are living in a setting in which English is the primary language. Also included are programs that provide English language instruction for younger people.

Programs that provide instruction for adults and eligible minors who have elected to take a series of tests which measure the extent to which they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding ordinarily acquired through a high school education. Instruction and testing focus on writing, social studies, science, reading and mathematics. Individuals who pass the tests receive a high school equivalency certificate.

Public postsecondary educational institutions, commonly organized into two-year programs, which offer instruction that has been adapted in content, level and schedule to meet the needs of the community in which they are located. Community colleges (also known as junior colleges) generally offer a comprehensive curriculum which includes basic liberal arts and sciences with transfer, occupational, general education and adult education components. The program awards an Associates in Arts (A.A.) certificate to those who successfully complete the requirements.

Programs that help people identify and secure paid employment opportunities that match their aptitude, qualifications, experience and interests.

Programs that help people make appropriate decisions regarding the sequence of occupational roles or work experiences through which they will move during their working lives.

Programs that establish and enforce licensing and certification standards for the trades and professions that are subject to regulation, review applications for licenses, administer examinations to demonstrate competency, issue or deny licenses and/or revoke licenses and certificates or take disciplinary action for noncompliance with standards.

One-stop centers that provide an array of employment and training services in a convenient, easily accessible location. Services may include job counseling, testing and assessment; resume preparation assistance, interview training and other prejob guidance services; job matching and referral; unemployment insurance and job registration; labor market and career information; information on financial aid for education and training; and referral for job training, transportation, child care, personal and financial counseling, health care and other human services resources in the community.

Programs that provide educational and supportive services for new parents or those expecting a child, to prepare them on an emotional and practical level for the impact the newborn will have on their lives and relationships. Initial focus areas include healthy eating for the mother, danger signs in pregnancy, sibling preparation and being ready for labor and delivery, followed by practical information on basic infant care, newborn behaviors, baby supplies, bathing techniques, diapering, breastfeeding and other feeding options, as well as infant and childhood illnesses. Later topics may include walking, talking, toilet training and other aspects of child development, all to help ensure that infants and toddlers are nurtured, live in a safe environment and receive proper health care. Included are programs open to all as well those targeting special populations such as low income individuals or teenagers.

Programs that pay for, provide and/or install car seats that can be used to restrain infants or young children who are riding as passengers in motor vehicles. Also included are programs that provide booster seats for older children or provide referrals to organizations that provide the seats or the safety checks.

A public health nutrition program administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service that provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and health care referrals for income-eligible pregnant or postpartum individuals, infants and children up to age five. Foster parents, grandparents, guardians and single fathers who have custody of their children may also be eligible to receive food assistance for children up to age five if they meet income guidelines. WIC provides specific foods to supplement the dietary needs of participants to ensure good health and development. Food packages typically include iron-fortified infant cereal, milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains, peanut butter, beans, fruits, vegetables and juice. Families can shop for WIC foods at most grocery stores using a WIC electronic transfer benefit (EBT) card or vouchers.

Programs that cover all or part of the cost of child care in public and licensed private child care centers or private family child care homes, usually for low-income families or families which include children with disabilities in situations where parents are working, in school or in a training program. Also included are programs that pay the costs of in-home or out-of-home child care when the parent is receiving diagnostic tests, undergoing medical treatment, is hospitalized or needs to be out of the house for other reasons; and those that provide financial assistance to families with young children to help cover some of the costs of a parent staying home to care for their child.

Programs that increase public awareness of the measures that people can take before, during and after a major disaster or wide-scale emergency to reduce loss of life and property and improve their chances for survival. Included are programs that inspect the homes of individual residents and give them a report which suggests ways to enhance their safety and reduce the risk of property damage or loss, as well as those that deal with disaster preparedness in a more general way. Also included are programs that provide fact sheets, hazard maps and other types of technical information about natural disasters that individuals and communities can review and evaluate to see if their area is at risk.

Programs that provide general information for the public about major disasters and large-scale emergencies occurring within the U.S. Details may include the location and severity of the incident, the date and time of its occurrence, organizations that concerned friends and family can contact for information about the circumstances of possible victims and/or survivors, details regarding needed materials and supplies, and instructions for contributing to relief organizations.

Programs that accept and respond to reports of child abuse or neglect. Services include assessment of the initial referral, assignment of an appropriate response time, consultation with the family to determine the nature of the problem and do initial case planning, and emergency placement services if the child is removed from the family by the police.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for women and men who have experienced domestic abuse which may include steps to ensure the person’s safety; short-term emotional support; assistance with shelter; legal information and advocacy; referrals for medical treatment; ongoing counseling and/or group support; and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Programs that provide temporary emergency shelter for individuals, primarily women, who have experienced domestic violence/abuse, and for their children. Such facilities usually provide in-house individual, group and family counseling and the full range of secondary services related to domestic violence including referral to appropriate resources. Also included are similar facilities for battered men and those that can accommodate both men and women, where they are available.

Programs that provide assistance for people who need to obtain legal protection to prevent harassment, stalking or violence in situations involving child abuse, domestic abuse, elder abuse, abduction, sexual assault, stalking or other forms of harassment or the threat of workplace violence. Depending on the situation, a person may have more than one type of order. Restraining and personal protection order laws vary from one jurisdiction to another but all establish who can file for an order, what protection or relief a person can get from such an order and how the order will be enforced. The court will order the adverse party to refrain from certain actions and/or require compliance with certain provisions. Failure to comply is a violation of the order which can result in the arrest and prosecution of the offender. Violations in some jurisdictions may also constitute criminal or civil contempt of court.

Programs that instruct the public in the appropriate techniques for prolonging the lives of victims of heart failure until emergency medical care can be provided. Included may be instruction in full CPR which combines rescue breaths with chest compressions (the best option in some emergencies, including those involving infants and children, drowning victims or people who collapse due to breathing problems) and/or hands only CPR which involves chest compressions only, no mouth to mouth contact. Hands only CPR is used in emergencies where someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest.

Programs that distribute gun safety devices and provide secure storage solutions to enhance home and community safety, prevent suicide and accidents, and overall reduce the risk of gun related injuries. Devices may include lock boxes, safes, cable locks, and trigger locks. Programs may also reduce firearm access to individuals in crisis or at risk of suicide through a voluntary temporary transfer of firearms to an offsite storage facility such as a local law enforcement agency, licensed retailer, or other secure location.