Migration and Refugee Services at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops works with a national network of 12 state licensed Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) foster care programs for the on-going care of unaccompanied children. Most of these programs are administered through Catholic Charities agencies. In turn, the URM programs:
- Train fosterfamilies with cross-cultural experience, interest and sensitivity
- Develop continuum of care options for children with
varying placement and service needs
- Provide intensive, culturally
sensitive, trauma-informed case management
- Assist children to access medical care, dental care
and mental health services
- Connect children with mentors to provide mature guidance
and develop lasting relationships
- Coordinate recreational/social
activities to foster group cohesion among children in program
- Collaborate with schools and service
providers in community about the needs of foreign-born children
- Connect children with tutoring
opportunities and English classes to increase educational success
- Assist with immigration
legal services, including applying for relief and adjustment of status
- Help children set, and
achieve, educational and vocational goals
- Assist children in preparation
for independent living
- Assist with family tracing and
family reunification, if appropriate
- Provide indirect financial
support for
basic necessities like housing and clothing
- Support children with their integration into U.S. society and local community while helping them maintain a connection to their heritage culture and religion