Resource Finder

This recorded session walks newcomers through how to use important online services in the United States, with a focus on finding housing and applying for jobs. Each step is demonstrated so viewers can follow along at their own pace, building the digital skills and confidence needed for daily life in the U.S.

This guide from SettleIn US explains what newcomers with disabilities need to know about their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including protections against discrimination in school, work, housing, and health care. It walks through how to request accommodations, such as interpretation services or accessible entrances, and points to trusted places to find help, including resettlement providers, community organizations, and directories like ADA.gov.

This guide from SettleIn US breaks down the main ways to travel between states or cities without owning a car: airplane, train, or bus. It covers the pros and cons of each option, including cost, convenience, and how weather can affect travel, plus tips like booking flights one to three months in advance for the best prices and using Amtrak for routes on the East Coast.

This video from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project explains why stability and structure matter so much for children going through a divorce or separation. It offers guidance on developing consistent routines and protecting kids from conflict between caregivers.

This video from the Child Mind Institute features families who have experienced death and grief, sharing what it is like to parent through loss. It highlights the importance of supportive connections and offers guidance on how caregivers can find comfort while helping children grieve.

This video from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project offers guidance on sharing age-appropriate information with children about a parent's health concerns. It helps caregivers know what to say and do so kids can process the situation with support and understanding.

This video from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project offers guidance for caregivers whose children have witnessed or been exposed to community violence. It shares practical ways to build a strong support system and work with kids on staying safer in their neighborhood.

In this video from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project, caregivers and experts offer advice on how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with children about racism and discrimination. It includes guidance on helping kids recognize racism when they experience it and preparing them with tools to respond and feel supported.

This article from the Child Mind Institute offers six practical things to know when a child with special needs or a learning disorder heads back to school. It covers how to ease anxiety by modeling calm and confidence, why building structure and routine at home matters, and how staying in regular contact with a child's teacher can help catch challenges early. The guide also includes tips for making homework time more productive and a reminder not to jump to conclusions about a child's development.

In this video from the Child Mind Institute, Karol Espejo, LCSW, shares practical tips for supporting children who are struggling in school, including those with learning disabilities or ADHD. She offers guidance on resetting expectations for the new school year and building simple strategies that help kids regain confidence and stay engaged, even after a difficult start.

This Learning Guide from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project explains how stability and routine can help children cope with divorce or separation. It offers practical strategies for creating consistency at home and shielding kids from conflict between caregivers.

This Learning Guide, part of the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids series, helps caregivers talk with children about a parent's mental or physical health challenges. It offers age-appropriate language and practical tools so kids feel informed and supported rather than confused or anxious.

This video companion Learning Guide, from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project, offers guidance for caregivers whose children have witnessed or been exposed to violence in their community. Real caregivers and experts share practical ways to talk with kids about what they have seen, build a strong support system, and help children feel safer at home and in the neighborhood.

This video and companion Learning Guide, from the Child Mind Institute's Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids project, helps caregivers talk openly with children about racism and discrimination. It offers honest, age-appropriate guidance on explaining what racism is, recognizing when a child may be experiencing it, and preparing kids with tools to respond and feel supported.

This video walks through USCIS's May 21, 2026 Adjustment of Status (AOS) memorandum and what it could mean for people applying to become lawful permanent residents. A DOJ Accredited Representative breaks down the key changes in plain language, explains who may be affected, and offers practical guidance on the kinds of evidence that can help strengthen an application.

This Switchboard information guide introduces the core concepts and practices of trauma-informed care (TIC) for refugee service providers, case managers, and others working with newcomer populations. The resource explores how trauma can affect individuals throughout the migration journey, including pre-flight experiences, displacement, and resettlement. It outlines key trauma-informed principles such as safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, empowerment, and choice, while offering practical guidance for creating supportive, culturally responsive services that promote healing, resilience, and successful integration.

This Switchboard resource provides a clear timeline of required activities under the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR), from pre-arrival planning through the first 30 days and beyond. The guide highlights critical milestones, including housing preparation, airport reception, home visits, needs assessments, self-sufficiency planning, benefits enrollment, medical coordination, and other essential services. Designed for resettlement providers, the timeline serves as a practical reference for ensuring timely, compliant, and effective support for newly arrived refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.

This Switchboard tip sheet offers practical guidance and curated resources for completing key pre-arrival responsibilities under the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR). Topics include case placement considerations, housing availability, employment opportunities, community capacity, transportation access, and preparation for clients with known medical needs. The resource helps providers make informed placement decisions, coordinate essential services before arrival, and establish a strong foundation for successful newcomer integration and long-term stability.

This Switchboard tip sheet provides a comprehensive overview of key post-arrival responsibilities under the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR). Designed for refugee resettlement providers, it highlights resources and guidance related to case management, material support, home visits, needs assessments, service planning, direct assistance, housing, employment, school enrollment, and community integration. The guide serves as a practical starting point for staff seeking to meet program requirements while supporting newcomers on their path toward stability and self-sufficiency.

This Switchboard tip sheet outlines strategies for using volunteers and interns to strengthen housing programs serving refugees and other newcomers. The resource covers volunteer recruitment and retention, role design, motivation factors, and best practices for assigning responsibilities that support housing stability efforts. It also provides examples of housing-related tasks, outreach activities, and project-based opportunities that can help organizations increase capacity, build community partnerships, and improve access to safe and stable housing for newcomer families.

Refugee and newcomer students may face unique challenges that increase their vulnerability to bullying, including cultural adjustment, language barriers, and migration-related stressors. This Switchboard resource explores the different roles involved in bullying situations, examines risk factors specific to newcomer youth, and highlights the connection between stress and bullying behaviors. Using a strengths-based approach, the training provides practical strategies for school staff and service providers to create safer, more inclusive learning environments and effectively support students who are experiencing or engaging in bullying.

Newcomers often experience multiple layers of loss, including family separation, displacement, cultural disruption, and the death of loved ones. This Switchboard training explores the relationship between grief, trauma, and traumatic grief, while highlighting how cultural beliefs, migration experiences, and systemic barriers can shape how individuals process loss. Participants learn trauma-informed, culturally responsive strategies for supporting clients experiencing grief and loss, while also recognizing the emotional impact this work can have on service providers themselves.

SupportGuide.org is a centralized resource hub designed to help service providers strengthen client support and community partnerships. The platform offers a searchable provider directory to connect clients with trusted services, an agency learning series featuring expert-led webinars, self-paced micro lessons, and a newsletter with timely updates and opportunities. SupportGuide helps organizations improve referrals, expand professional knowledge, and stay connected to resources that support newcomers, refugees, and diverse communities across California

The Partnership Planning Worksheet is a practical resource designed to help organizations clarify the services they provide, assess their strengths as community partners, and define their partnership needs. Through guided prompts and reflection exercises, users can develop a clear partnership pitch, identify potential collaboration opportunities, and strengthen referral and resource-sharing networks. Ideal for nonprofit organizations, service providers, and community groups, this worksheet supports relationship-building efforts that lead to more coordinated and effective support for clients and communities.

The Partnership Development Toolkit provides step-by-step tools, worksheets, and templates to help agencies identify service gaps, define partnership goals, assess organizational readiness, and establish effective referral relationships. Designed for service providers, nonprofit organizations, and community-based agencies, the toolkit includes partnership planning exercises, readiness assessments, outreach templates, referral pathway planning tools, and key questions to support successful collaboration. This resource helps organizations create mutually beneficial partnerships that expand access to services, strengthen care coordination, and enhance community impact.