Preferred Communities (PC) Program

Background
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announces funding for the Preferred Communities (PC) Program. This program aims to support the resettlement of especially vulnerable populations of newly arrived refugees in preferred locations to facilitate their achievement of self-sufficiency.

Grant Details
The PC Program encompasses a comprehensive approach for refugee self-sufficiency and integration with four objectives. These include facilitating self-sufficiency, supporting capacity development for intensive case management, providing resources for placement, and alleviating impact of increased or unanticipated arrivals in communities. The program requires intensive case management, cultural orientation, interpretation and transportation assistance, access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and specialized services. It also involves outreach, collaboration, project implementation, and capacity expansion. Additionally, it includes remote intensive case management, expanding organizational capacity, planning and coordinating with community partners, addressing service gaps, and providing direct assistance to refugees in immediate need.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible clients must hold refugee status as defined by specific statutory provisions and have been in the United States for no longer than 5 years. Especially vulnerable refugees in need of intensive case management include secondary migrants, single-headed refugee households, victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence, LGBTQ refugees, and those with physical disabilities or medical conditions.

Period of Performance
The due date for applications is June 21, 2021. The service period for refugees with long-term intensive case management needs is a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years; for all other refugees needing intensive case management is a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 1 year.

Place of Performance
The PC Program supports the resettlement of especially vulnerable refugee groups at resettlement sites designated by PC Program service providers as 'preferred communities.' These communities offer extensive medical coverage through Refugee Medical Assistance, access to medical care and social adjustment support services, mental health counseling, diverse employment opportunities, affordable housing, accessible transportation, supportive school environments, and established community resources.