Meeting the Needs of Bosnian Refugees (Chicago, IL, February 27-March 2, 1995).

N

31

Acculturation; Cultural Awareness; Employment Opportunities; Foreign Countries; Health; Immigrants; Needs Assessment; Refugees; Relocation; Social Services; State Programs; Workshops

Illinois (Chicago); Yugoslavia

Since July 1994 the U.S. Department of State has supported the programs of the Catholic Migration Commission to conduct predeparture orientation for U.S.-bound refugees from Bosnia. The orientation program operates in several sites in Croatia to prepare Bosnian refugees for resettlement in the United States. To create links between overseas orientation and domestic resettlement, the Department of State asked the Center for Applied Linguistics to organize a conference, which was held in February and March 1995. This report documents the presentations given by individuals and agencies and discussions about important orientation issues. Nancy Jackson from the U.S. Department of State spoke about Bosnian resettlement and the expectation that the situation would become even more complicated. Nick Miscione of the International Catholic Migration Commission discussed the orientation program in detail. Ed Silverman, of the Illinois state refugee program, reviewed the state's efforts for resettlement and the experiences of the Bosnian-American community in Chicago. Several social service agency directors discussed aspects of their work with Bosnian refugees. On the second and third days of the conference, the focus was on the health issues of Bosnian refugees and the operations of the Bosnian Refugee Center. Employment issues also received consideration. A fact sheet about Bosnian refugees is attached. (SLD)

1997

ED406496