Social Network Based Refugee Cultural Orientation The only kind of learning which significantly influences behavior is self-discovered or self-appropriated learning - truth that has been assimilated in experience. - Carl Rogers © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Traditional Cultural Orientation for Refugees* Local Resettlement Agency Cultural Orientation Overseas Agency Preliminary Cultural Orientation Topics covered depend on number of hours that trainers have at their disposal and the needs and characteristics of each group being trained, Length 2 to 30 hours. Curricula are designed by the program staff based on logistical considerations, Lecture based or activity based. Instruction is offered in a classroom setting . Provided by agency personnel or contractors. Topics: Same as those provided overseas. Based on a case management model for orientation where orientation is provided first and foremost within the context of the refugee-case manager relationship. Most orientation is conducted either in family groups or one-on-one, and case managers utilize lecture, interview, hands-on, conversation, or question-and-answer techniques. * Costello, A. (2004). Current refugee orientation practices in U.S. resettlement agencies: Phase one of the refugee orientation impact study. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics. © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Topics covered depend on number of hours that trainers have at their disposal and the needs and characteristics of each group being trained,

Length 2 to 30 hours.

Curricula are designed by the program staff based on logistical considerations,

Lecture based or activity based. Instruction is offered in a classroom setting .

Provided by agency personnel or contractors.

Topics: Same as those provided overseas.

Based on a case management model for orientation where orientation is provided first and foremost within the context of the refugee-case manager relationship. Most orientation is conducted either in family groups or one-on-one, and case managers utilize lecture, interview, hands-on, conversation, or question-and-answer techniques.

Social Network based Cultural Orientation for Refugees Local Resettlement Agency Cultural Orientation Overseas Agency Preliminary Cultural Orientation Topics covered depend on number of hours that trainers have at their disposal and the needs and characteristics of each group being trained, Length 2 to 30 hours. Curricula are designed by the program staff based on logistical considerations, Lecture based or activity based. Instruction is offered in a classroom setting. Introductory orientation takes place in case management Topics covered include and go beyond those covered overseas. Length: 15 hours. Curricula designed based on federal guidelines, staff input and client feedback Lecture based and activity based. Instruction is offered in a classroom setting and through experiential based learning activities. © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Topics covered depend on number of hours that trainers have at their disposal and the needs and characteristics of each group being trained,

Length 2 to 30 hours.

Curricula are designed by the program staff based on logistical considerations,

Lecture based or activity based. Instruction is offered in a classroom setting.

Topics covered include and go beyond those covered overseas.

Length: 15 hours.

Curricula designed based on federal guidelines, staff input and client feedback

Lecture based and activity based. Instruction is offered in a classroom setting and through experiential based learning activities.

The Social Networking Model Is community based and client-centric. © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Is community based and client-centric.

An Illustrated Social Networking based Cultural Orientation School District Child Protective Services Public Health System Internal Revenue Service Consumer Advocate Utility Company Immigration Advocate Emergency Medical Services Police Department Mental Health Provider Social Service Agency/ Refugee Client © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Centrality The most important relationships are those that arise through the connections with the greatest amount of intermediation and centrality. They possess the greatest number of nodes. These BRIDGE individuals/entities contribute to “the emergence of communicative spaces that facilitate the formation of and participation in the processes involved in the creation of value for organizations, feelings of belonging and the appreciation of the participant as a human resource.” (Cirigliano, p.2) © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

The most important relationships are those that arise through the

connections with the greatest amount of intermediation and

centrality. They possess the greatest number of nodes. These

BRIDGE individuals/entities contribute to “the emergence of

communicative spaces that facilitate the formation of and

participation in the processes involved in the creation of value for

organizations, feelings of belonging and the appreciation of the

participant as a human resource.” (Cirigliano, p.2)

The Social Networking Model Integrates refugee clients into the community. Engages community entities in a collaboration that assists refugee clients with their acculturation process. Raises community awareness about Refugee Issues and promotes diversity © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Integrates refugee clients into the community.

Engages community entities in a collaboration that assists refugee clients with their acculturation process.

Raises community awareness about Refugee Issues and promotes diversity

Classes & the Community Introduction the Resettlement Agency Welcome to the host country Welcome to your community Public Transportation Public Safety Personal Finances: Managing your money Public Utility Services Culture Shock 101 Understanding the Public Health System Consumer Protection Education System Tax System Gender Issues Class Parenting How to Navigate the Immigration Process Financing Higher Education. © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Introduction the Resettlement Agency

Welcome to the host country

Welcome to your community

Public Transportation

Public Safety

Personal Finances: Managing your money

Public Utility Services

Culture Shock 101

Understanding the Public Health System

Consumer Protection

Education System

Tax System

Gender Issues Class

Parenting

How to Navigate the Immigration Process

Financing Higher Education.

The Social Networking Model Helps refugee clients overcome barriers they may have due to prior experience with governmental institutions. Promotes collective standards and trust. Provides refugee clients information that is vital to their decision making process, the re-creation of their identity and self-sufficiency © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Helps refugee clients overcome barriers they may have due to prior experience with governmental institutions.

Promotes collective standards and trust.

Provides refugee clients information that is vital to their decision making process, the re-creation of their identity and self-sufficiency

For More Information Contact: Angela-Jo Touza-Medina, MA, LL.M Angelajotm (a) hotmail (dot) com +1 512.736.1505 Visit: http://anotherwindowontheworld.blogspot.com © Angela-Jo Touza-Medina 2005-2009

Contact:

Angela-Jo Touza-Medina, MA, LL.M

Angelajotm (a) hotmail (dot) com

+1 512.736.1505

Visit:

http://anotherwindowontheworld.blogspot.com