It is required that refugees are medically screened overseas to be cleared for admission into the United States. Upon arrival in the United States, refugees should also complete a domestic medical screening. The purposes of the Refugee Medical Screening (RMS) program are to follow-up on medical issues identified in the overseas medical screening, administer the required immunizations in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines, identify persons with communicable diseases of potential public health significance, enable refugees to successfully resettle by identifying health conditions that impact well-being, and refer clients to primary care providers or specialists for ongoing health care.
Accessing health and mental health services beyond initial health screenings can be a significant challenge for many refugees due to cultural differences, lack of transportation, language barriers and limited understanding of the U.S. health care system. While refugees with medical and mental health needs should be referred for treatment, non-clinical interventions such as adjustment groups can also provide benefit and may be more accessible for some refugees in need of emotional support. Access to health care is directly tied to affording services. Given the complicated nature of the health care system in the United States, refugees with complex medical conditions are likely to need medical case management until they achieve a level of health literacy that allows them to effectively navigate the health care system and follow medical provider recommendations for self-care.
The Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) program supports refugee health literacy and access to health and emotional wellness services. It provides services beyond what is allowable through the RMA and RMS programs. The RHP Grantee should focus on recent arrivals and those that have been in the country two (2) years or less, but still continue to face serious health challenges. The purposes of the RHP program are to deliver a range of health services from health orientation and education classes to accessing health services and obtaining affordable ongoing health care. Within this framework, the RHP program aims to build capacity to address identified health needs within refugee communities and reduce barriers to achieving wellness.
For further information on program requirements, see the following link: https://communityaffairs.dc.gov/sites/moca/files/dc/sites/moca/publication/attachments/RFA%20JA-FSA-RHS-2022.pdf#page=13
Estimated Total Program Funding:
