~ . - - ~· ~ '· . ~ -.. -·~.. . ~ , . " ' .. . \ CENTER FOR URBAN EDUCATION NEWS THE REFUGEE PROGRAM: HELPING PORTLAND'S NEW AMERICANS Beginning in 1981, CUE formed a partnership with the Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs) that assist refugees to successfully resettle throughout the state. In conjunction with that partnership, CUE helped implement and develop the Portland Area Refugee Services Consortium. This consortium is made up of agencies that have the common goal of providing services and resources to refugees. In the past, CUE's refugee services programming has included participation in the distribution of federal emergency cash assistance, the recruitment and distribution of local goods and services for refugees, the development of a unique refugee housing project, and help in the development of the refugee-operated Southeast Asian Refugee Federation (SEARF). Today, SEARF has grown into the independent agency for refugee self-determination known as the International Refugee Center of Oregon (IRCO). CUE continues to maintain close ties with SEARF, the Portland Area Refugee Services Consortium, and the VOLAGs in carrying out several programs. The Refugree Early Employment Project (REEP) is an alternative to public welfare. It vests the distribution of cash and medical assistance in the private sector, while placing special emphasis on helping participants become employed and selfsufficient. The project makes use of positive incentives whenever possible. For example, in the past the potential loss of medical insurance has been a disincentive for refugees to take minimumwage jobs. In REEP a family may continue to receive medical insurance even though they earn too much to qualify for cash benefits. Case services for REEP are performed under sub-contract to CUE by paraprofessional, bi-linqual staff at the voluntary agencies that operate in this region. Case management services are performed under sub-contracts with the VOLAGs. In general these are social services that provide support for the refugee recipients while they go about the difficult task of resettling in a new environment. Included are direct services, such as giving advice about a range of day-to-day issues, helping arrange for child carer providing liaison between refugees and English speakers, referred services, and a multitude of follow-up services. · CUE's work with the program has included , system design, program managment and technical assistance, monitoring and reporting, and fiscal managment. The Consortium Management Information System (CMIS) provides to the Portland Area Refugee Serv:ces Consortium agencies a comprehensive cFent tracking and reporting system. Over a doze:i. agencies, including the state of Oregon, and the foderal office of refugee resettlement utilize ttie data provided by the system. CUE's continuing :.ole,has been to develop, maintain, and monitor the system. COMPUTER CENTER CUE has always had a st:ong commitment to helping citizens and community organizations work with government to develop the most appropriate and effective use of information and communications technology. In the early 1970s CUE played a major role in bringing citizen involvement into the city of Portland's cable TV franchise process. In the late 1970s CUE became involved with the use of computers for communication. In 1981, a conference, Information and Communication Technology for the Community, along with a publication with the same name launched CUE into a new involvement with helping nonprofit organizations to understand and make use of the microcomputer revolution. Soon after the conference CUE began sponsoring computer literacy retreats, providing nonprofit organizations with the opportunity to learn the basics about microcomputers. In 1984, CUE formalized its involvement in computers and communication issues with the formation of the Information Technology Institute. In March, 1985 the institute opened the first nonprofit computer resource center in the Northwest, offering education, technical assistance and access to computer equipment throught its unique computer lab. The center has provided education, technical assistance and access to computer equipment to over 250 organizations. Winter /Fall 1986 RAIN Page 43
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