Switchboard created a cultural backgrounder on Ukrainians to support refugee service workers in providing cultural responsive care to Ukrainian families who have resettled in the U.S. This Ukrainian cultural backgrounder includes information on the historical context, languages, holidays, traditions, and family dynamics, among other topics.
Core Knowledge Area: Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness
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Congolese Community Profile (DRC)
The Office of the Refugee Health Coordinator of Arizona developed this Congolese community profile to support refugee service workers in providing culturally responsive care to families resettled in the U.S. from diverse ethnic groups from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This community profile includes information on commonly held attitudes, beliefs, and stigmas around healthcare in addition to common health concerns and barriers to care for displaced Congolese families resettling in the U.S.
Resource: Congolese Community Profile
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Switchboard Cultural Backgrounder: Afrikaners
Switchboard created a cultural backgrounder on Afrikaners to support refugee service workers in providing cultural responsive care to Afrikaner families who have resettled in the U.S. This Afrikaner cultural backgrounder includes information on the historical context, languages, holidays, traditions, and family dynamics, among other topics.
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Using Cultural Backgrounders in Work with Newcomers
Bridging Refugee Children & Youth Services (BRYCS) created this toolkit to support staff who work with refugee families in utilizing cultural backgrounders to effectively provide culturally responsive care.
Resource: Using Cultural Backgrounders in Work with Newcomers
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Switchboard Course Part 1: Working with Interpreters
In this free learning course, Switchboard teaches the fundamentals of working with an interpreter, including key terms, the role of an interpreter, and why it’s important to use an interpreter when working with families who have limited English proficiency. This course is intended for providers who are new to working with interpreters. The estimated time to complete this course is 30 minutes.
Resource: Working with Interpreters (part 1)
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Switchboard Course Part 2: Overcoming Challenges in Interpretation
In this free learning course, Switchboard teaches providers strategies for overcoming common challenges when working with an interpreter, including preparing for an interpreted conversation, supporting interpreters during a conversation, and improving the quality of interactions. This course is intended for providers who have experience working with interpreters and families with limited English proficiency. Switchboard recommends completing part 1 “Working with Interpreters” before completing this training. The estimated time to complete this course is 20 minutes.
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Policy Brief: Building Trust with Immigrant and Refugee Families
In this policy brief, the Migration Policy Institute and the Aspen Institute highlight the importance of building trust with newcomer families when providing services to both parents and children. This policy brief explores what it takes to build trust with newcomer families and the positive results that can come from inclusive programming. Strategies such as 1. hiring and retaining culturally competent staff and 2. creating welcoming spaces are explored in this brief.
Resource: Building Trust with Immigrant and Refugee Families
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Understanding Language Access Laws in Michigan
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Council developed a one-pager to explain 2024 changes to Michigan laws that ensure people with Limited English proficiency receive public services in a language they understand, free of charge. This law ensures everyone can engage with the State of Michigan with dignity, regardless of their English proficiency.
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Michigan Language Access Training Slides
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center developed a training to review state and federal language access laws, including rights to interpretation and translation for limited English proficiency recipients of state services. Federal and state complaint procedures are explained with links and contact information of presenters is provided on slide 28.
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Inclusive Infant Safe Sleep Education for Indigenous Families
In this webinar, we will explore how infant safe sleep practices are supported by traditional Indigenous parenting practices such as skin-to-skin contact, baby carrying, and cradleboards.