ORR URM Policy Guide, Introduction

ORR Guide to Eligibility, Placement, and Services for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM): Introduction Publication Date: October 18, 2016 Current as of: February 7, 2019 I.A Introduction The Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program provides specialized foster care for refugees and other eligible populations of children and youth. Originally, the program provided services for refugee minors arriving from overseas unaccompanied by a parent or adult relative. Over the years, Congress passed laws making other foreign-born populations who are already in the United States eligible for the URM program. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) funds the URM program.

States and URM Replacement Designees (URDs) 1 administer the program. In this policy guide, reference to “states” includes URDs, unless specifically noted. The URM program operates in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Pursuant to 45 CFR § 400.117, a state may provide care or services either directly or through arrangements with a public or private child welfare agency licensed under state law.

States arrange for most direct services through agreements with URM provider agencies (see Section I.B for the definition of a URM provider agency). The URM program provides the same range of child welfare benefits and services available to domestic foster children in the state, as well as additional unique services designed to address cultural, linguistic, and religious needs, as required by ORR regulations. 2 URM placements may include foster homes, therapeutic foster homes, group care, supervised independent living, residential treatment facilities, and other settings appropriate to meet a child or youth’s needs. URM program services may include: Case management; Family tracing and reunification; Health care; Mental health services; Social adjustment; English language training, Education and vocational training; Career planning and employment; Preparation for independent living and social integration; Preservation of cultural and religious heritage; and Assistance adjusting immigration status.

Eligible minors must enter the URM program before the age of 18 in order for a state or its designee to establish legal responsibility of the minor in accordance with state law. 3 Depending on the state, and the youth’s needs and choices, foster care services end between the ages of 18 and 22 years old. Some states permit a youth to remain in care and extend placement and services after the age of 18, by a court extending jurisdiction or custody, or by having a youth sign a voluntary agreement. After a youth ages out of foster care, if the youth meets program criteria, he or she may qualify for additional transition to adulthood services.

Transition to adulthood benefits and services can last until age 21 or 23, and support for education and/or vocational training can extend to age 23 or 26, depending on the state. If you have questions regarding the policy found in this guide, contact the URM program at [email protected] . I.B Definitions Child welfare agency means an agency licensed or approved under state law to provide child welfare services to children and youth in the state. URM provider agency means a public or private child welfare agency that has an agreement with the state (or county where the state authorizes the county to hold the agreement) to provide placement and services to URM children and youth.

All states that provide URM services have agreements with URM provider agencies for placement and services. I.C Administration A state must follow the URM policy guide, which is included in the terms and conditions of the Cash and Medical Assistance grant for the URM program. Unless a state requests a waiver to a specific section and ORR approves that waiver and provides an exception, states must comply with all the policy in this guide. If a state is not in compliance, ORR in its discretion, may disallow federal funding from the state.

Footnotes 1. For more information, see ORR Policy Letter #18-03 , and ORR Dear Colleague Letter #17-03 . 2. For more information, see state child and family service plans under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, as well as 45 CFR §§ 400.110—400.120.

3. On rare occasions, minors approved for the URM program may turn 18 years old prior to the establishment of legal responsibility. (See section 2.2 for additional information on legal responsibility.) In limited situations, the approved youth may still be able to receive URM services and benefits, if a state or its designee can establish legal responsibility of the youth in accordance with state law.