Health Programs

The Bureau administers various programs related to refugee health. These programs are listed below along with a brief description.

Preventative Health Program

Preventive Health is a federally funded program, under which the Bureau of Migrant, Refugee, and Labor Services receives a grant, which it distributes to resettlement agencies. The primary purpose of the program is to provide bilingual outreach to recent refugees concerning health issues. Staff provide interpretation to refugees and transport refugees to their medical appointments. Staff also conduct orientation workshops for refugees on American society and its health care system. Staff also provide in-service trainings to medical staff to help them provide culturally sensitive care to refugees. Preventive Health funds are not used to provide health care to refugees.

Mental Health Program

The Mental Health Program is a federally funded program, under which the Bureau of Migrant, Refugee, and Labor Services (BMRLS) receives a grant, which it subcontracts to counties, private mental health agencies, and refugee resettlement agencies. There are three primary goals within the program. The goals include providing bilingual, bicultural clinical services, community education and outreach to refugee communities and providing consultation and in-service to mental health staff.

Bilingual staff provides interpretation as well as direct clinical services to refugees. They also conduct orientation and educational workshops for refugees to help them understand the need to seek professional help and ways to access the system. In addition, the bilingual staff also provides in-service trainings to medical staff and personnel to help them provide culturally sensitive care to refugees.

Health Screening Program

The Bureau of Migrant, Refugee, and Labor Services enters into contracts with local health departments to provide health screening services. Health departments provide outreach to refugees who have been in the country less than 90 days. They also screen them for communicable diseases and provide any necessary follow-up. Health departments may also receive reimbursement for any expenses they incur in providing interpretation for limited English proficient refugees.