Community Orientation Booklet
- 2. KNOW YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION MY NAME: __________________________________________________________________________ MY CASE MANAGER: _________________________________________________________________ MY DATE OF ARRIVAL : ________________________________________________________________ MY ADDRESS: ________________________________________ _____________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ __ MY PHONE NUMBER: ________________________________________ ______________________ MY RESETTLEMENT AGENCY: The International Center of Kentucky 233 West9th Street Owensboro, KY42303 PHONE NUMBER: 270-683-3423
- 3. WELCOME WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES! This is your Community Orientation for the Reception & Placement Program. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states of the United States of America and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain and became the first states in the Union.
- 4. Safety In an Emergency Call 911 1. If there is a fire 2. If someone is badly hurt 3. If someone cannot breath or is bleeding 4. If a crime is happening
- 5. Safety DO NOT CALL 911 IF 1. You are sick with a cold or the flu Call a doctor instead 2.If you need help with your food stamps or Medicaid Call your case manager instead
- 6. Safety Be safe in your neighborhood Do carry a cell phone if you have one
- 7. Safety Don’t walk alone at night Do walk in groups or in well-lit areas
- 8. Safety Police and Emergency Services Police are friendly they can help you if: Someone steals something from you You are in danger or afraid You or someone you know is lost There is another Emergency It is okay to contact the police if you need help. The Fire Department Helps put out fires. If there is a fire and you call 911, The Owensboro Police Department will come and help put the fire out. Emergency Services are provided FREE of charge. Safety
- 9. Other Emergencies Sometimes, there are tornados and severe Thunderstorms in Owensboro. You should pay attention to the weather in order to stay safe. You can check the weather from cell phones, computers and other devices.
- 10. Safety Be Safe in Your Home Remember to turn off all appliances when you are not using them. If there is a small fire use the extinguisher. If there is a large fire, call Keep your door locked at all times. Don’t ask strangers to come in.
- 11. Safety It is very important to know your personal information and your family member’s personal information. *Name *Address *Phone Number *Family member’s contact information Do not share this information with others. Keep all identification cards, Social Security Cards and other important documents with you at all times.
- 12. Housing In the United States, there are different housing options: Apartments Houses When your lease is over, you can choose to move to a different apartment or house if you wish. You must give notice to the leasing office 30 – 60 days in advance if you plan to move.
- 13. Housing When you are leasing/renting a home, this means that you do not own it. You must follow the rules of the landlord and the lease agreement. 1.Pay your bills on time 2.Keep things clean 3.Take care of property 4.Be a good neighbor 5.Pay attention to mail and notices
- 14. Housing Your Thermostat controls the Temperature in your apartment When it is hot use the A/C When it is cold use the Heat The lower the number, the colder the air. 60 Very Cool 75 Just Right 80 very warm
- 15. Housing You have a smoke detector in your apartment to help keep you safe in a fire and smoke. If there is a fire in your apartment or in the building, or if you burn something while cooking and there is a lot of smoke, it will make a loud beeping noise. The smoke detector is powered by batteries. Sometimes, they need to be changed.
- 16. Role of the Resettlement Agency The International Center of Kentucky is your Resettlement Agency. The International Center is not a government agency. Right now, you are in the Reception and Placement Program. The program helps refugees for their first 90 days in the United States. In this program, you receive help from your Case Manager to access community services, and you also receive some money for your basic needs.
- 17. Role of the Resettlement Agency Financial assistance for refugees is limited. You will only receive money for a short period of time. The amount of money given to refugees at each resettlement agency may be different based on the state or city that they live in. During R&P you will have a Case Manager. Your case manager will help you with your basic needs: o Applying for food stamps or SNAP o Helping you get all of your documents for employment o Providing you with Community Orientation o Helping you enroll your children in school
- 18. o Helping you access other services (WIC, SSI, etc.) The International Center works with many other organizations to help refugees with their basic service needs.
- 19. Role of the Resettlement Agency You are the most important person in your resettlement! International Center is here to help, but you are responsible for your own success. Our goal for you is that you become self – sufficient. This means that you are able to take care of yourself and your family on your own.
- 20. We want to teach you how to help yourself, so that you can be independent! Health You will receive a TB test and health screening during your first 30 days in the United States. If you need any follow up Medical services, you will be referred to a Primary Care Physician.
- 21. During your early health screenings, you will receive immunizations. These are important because they prevent you from getting deadly diseases. Children will also have to get certain shots before they can go to school. It is important to always go to any appointments that the clinic schedules for you. Health Cultural Adjustment Learning English It is very important that everyone in your family learns to speak English (Adults and Children). Learning English may take some time, but there are many ways to learn: ESL classes Practicing with English Speakers Watching English Television shows Materials from the Public Library
- 23. Employment Having a stable job is an important American value. Most people look for full time work (40 hours or more) in the United States. The International Center has an Employment Program that will help you to find a job and prepare you for work in the United States. It is important to learn written and spoken English. This will improve your chances of finding the job you want. Your case manager will help you to make an appointment with the Employment Program Manager in our center.
- 24. Employment In the United States, you have certain rights and responsibilities as a worker. Rights: To be paid at least $7.25 or the current minimum wage in your state. (Tipped employees may be paid less) To be paid overtime if you work more than 40 hours per week Equal pay for men and women Children younger than 14 years old are not allowed to work Responisbilities: Show up for work on time You should not bring your children to work Let your supervisor know if you will not show up Give 2 weeks notice before changing jobs
- 25. Personal Hygiene Personal Hygiene is important in the United States 1.Take a shower every day. Use soap and shampoo. 2.Wear deodorant every day 3.Brush your teeth everyday
- 26. Transportation Owensboro has a public bus system called OTS. Until you purchase a personal vehicle, you will need to learn how to use the bus. Transportation is very important because Owensboro may be difficult to get around on foot. During your community Orientation you will learn to use the go bus. Your case manager can tell you more information about bus passes.
- 27. Transportation Someday you may want to buy your own car. There are many benefits and responsibilities associated with owning your own vehicle: Benefits: You can drive yourself wherever you need to go You have more flexibility in choosing a job Responsibilities: You must purchase auto insurance and keep coverage current You must pass a driving test and keep your license current You will need to purchase gasoline You must keep up with car maintenance You may be required to pay a car payment
- 28. You must pay taxes and register your car every year
- 29. Monthly Income Monthly Expenses $300 R&P rentcheck $200 rent $90 pocketmoney $50 cell phone bill $250 Food Stamps $250 food $100 utilities Budgeting and Personal Finance You are responsible for managing your own personal finances. It is a good idea to create a budget to balance income and expenses.
- 30. Budgeting and Personal Finance o Banks are an important part of personal finance in the United States. o Most people in the United States use a bank to keep their money safe. There are different types of accounts in banks: Checking accounts are used for day-to-day transactions. With a checking account, you can get a debit card to use in place of cash. Every time you use it, money will be taken out of your account. Savings accounts are used for money that you want to save for the future.
- 31. Budgeting and Personal Finance As a refugee, you must pay back the loan that you received from IOM that paid for your plane ticket to America. USCRI will send you a bill in the mail 6 months after your arrival to the United States. This bill will come to you at your home. For this reason, it is very important that you always let USCRI know if your address changes. You can call USCRI at (703) 310- 1130 to let them know if you move. You should also check your mail regularly. You are responsible to pay off the loan If you are unable to make a payment on your IOM loan you must contact them and let them know.
- 32. Refugee Status As a refugee you have certain rights and responsibilities Rights: o You have the right to protection. No one here can discriminate against you here o You have the right to stay in the U.S. as a refugee for as long as you wish o You have almost all of the same rights as U.S. citizens o You have the right to stay in the U.S. without being deported unless you seriously break the law o You have the right to bring eligible family members to live in the U.S. Responsibilities: o You have the responsibility to file and pay income taxes every year o You have the responsibility to obey all U.S. laws
- 33. o You have the responsibility to let USCIS know if you change your address Public Assistance Foodstamps K-Tap WIC Free Childcare Medicaid Free Cell Phones Help with utilities Help with food Clothing assistance Resettlement agencies will help refugee apply for assistance. Assistance is limited and limited to those who qualify.