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A support network for returning Cambodians Orientation – Training – Employment – Housing |
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VETERANS INTERNATIONAL
RETURNEE INTEGRATION SUPPORT
PROGRAM
RISP PROGRAM SERVICES MANUAL
I. Introduction: Ø The purpose of the document Ø Scope of the policies II. RISP Mission Statement III. RISP Policies and Services Ø Orientation * Pre-Arrival * Arrival Ø Medical Support Ø Employment Support Ø Special Needs Housing Assistance Ø Transitional Housing Support Ø Legal Support/Assistance * Human Rights Monitoring * Prison Policy * Documentation Ø Scholarship Grant Ø Outreach Service and Follow Up Support Ø Returnee Volunteerism Placement
Ø
Financial
Assistance IV.
Information on RISP Website V.
Withdrawal of Privileges 1.1 Purpose of this documentThis document serves two purposes: 1. To provide Cambodian returnees deported from the United States with information regarding what services the Returnee Integration Support Program (RISP) provides and clear guidelines regarding how to access those services. RISP provides a range of services designed to support a returnee in his/her transition from US society into Cambodian society and mainstream Cambodian culture. These services have been created in order to benefit returnees who are interested in participating in RISP programming; RISP is completely voluntary.2. To clearly enumerate RISP policies and procedures in order to create a clear and universal understanding of the rules and regulations associated with the services offered by RISP.These services and policies will abide by the following principles: * Consistency with the law: All RISP services, policies and procedures will follow the laws of Cambodia.* They will be fair: These services and policies will be applied fairly and consistently with all returnees except in extremely unusual circumstances when reasons will be clearly documented and open to public scrutiny.* Conform to the regulations and expectations of donors.* Sustainable for the organization: Services and policies are designed to be realistic and not to create unrealistic expectations or obligations, which will be difficult to sustain in the future. It should be noted that policies may be constrained by what donors consider reasonable and/or allowable.1.2 Scope of the Policies These policies are an important part of the agreement between each returnee and RISP. It is the responsibility of each returnee to make sure they understand and abide by all policies and procedures. If a returnee does not understand they have the responsibility to request clarification. These policies are subject to review and revision at any time deemed necessary. All changes will be made based on the inputs of all program stakeholders. The Project Manager will be responsible for the sporadic review of all RISP policies and procedures and will have final approval to all changes made. II. RISP Mission Statement 2.1 All services, policies and procedures must reflect the mission statement of RISP, which has been created to assist returnees to adjust to dramatically new surroundings and function in a very different society with different rules and expectations. RISP Mission Statement The Returnee Integration Support Program of Veterans International is a non-governmental humanitarian organization facilitating the integration into Cambodian society of people who were admitted to the United States as refugees and are being deported to Cambodia. Through our services we provide assistance with documentation, employment, housing and referral services, in order to support returnees who seek assistance in becoming independent and productive members of society.
III. RISP Policies and Services Orientation Orientation starts prior to the returnee actually landing in Cambodia with knowledge obtained about the country, RISP services and personnel. This pre-arrival information will be posted on the web site: www.rispcambodia.org. On the web site, links will be provided to a number of online resources such as the Survival Guide, Cambodia country reports from the US State Department, human rights groups, media organizations etc. This information exists for the entire family, as well as the returnee, to help people more fully understand what to expect once deported. Upon landing the returnee will spend between a few hours to one week in an Immigration Housing Facility and will be met by RISP orientation personnel. The returnees will be informed about RISP, helped to relax and told about the steps that they will go through for the next few days. This usually helps returnees feel safer and more in control now that they have met friendly faces and people who will offer help if it is needed. The following consists of the arrival orientation process:
* Processing on arrival o Meet returnee in the immigration housing facility; o Case manager will meet with each returnee to complete an intake form in order to do the following: § Investigate any medical issues that might need immediate attention; § Verify if a returnee needs program sponsorship; § Assist in locating returnee’s family and sponsor;
§
Assistance orienting
returnee’s family/sponsor in order to ensure a smooth release from
the immigration housing facility. o Provide information to returnees on the following issues: § RISP services; § Provide information to all returnees regarding what happens during the process time;
§
Briefing on documents
returnees will need prior to their release from the immigration
facility. o RISP will sponsor any returnee who does not have a sponsor.
After release from the
Immigration Housing Facility, RISP provides sessions dealing with a
wide variety of topics, i.e. Cambodian history and culture, current
events, NGO activities, health care, and the legal system. This is
a strictly voluntary service and will only be provided upon one’s
interest/request. Medical Support The provision of basic medical support during the initial phase of integration is in keeping with the RISP mission of supporting returnees “in becoming independent and productive members of society.” RISP has a humanitarian commitment to provide emergency medical assistance in cases of illness or injury or maintenance treatment for chronic conditions. RISP believes that after the initial resettlement phase, defined as two years, most returnees will have achieved a degree of stability, i.e. employment, family, friends, etc. After that point medical support will only be continued for returnees determined by RISP to have special needs. * Accident Insurance Accident insurance will be provided to all returnees who meet the guidelines below. This policy only covers accidents, it will not cover suicide attempts, fights or incidents that occur while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal narcotic substances. The following are the criteria/guidelines for accident coverage:
*
The returnee does not
have another insurance policy
o
There can be no
duplication of coverage
*
The coverage will
apply only to returnees that have been in Cambodia less than two
years.
o This
coverage will be terminated by RISP once the returnee has been in
Cambodia two years; o If the returnee wishes to continue the policy he/she must make the annual payment in one lump sum. Once the 2 year coverage period ends RISP will not financially contribute to the medical bills of a returnee due to any accident for any reason unless the returnee has previously been determined to be a “special needs” case. * Medications for Illness
RISP will support the returnee to obtain, and if necessary, pay for medications that are related to a medical illness.
In order to receive financial support for essential medications the following guidelines must be followed:
*
The returnee must
sign-up for this service with a case manager and follow all
recommendations:
o Obtain
necessary check-ups and medical exams; o Follow-up on all referrals to NGOs or medical agencies and follow their recommendations.
*
The coverage will
apply only to returnees who have been in Cambodia less than two
years. o This coverage will be terminated by RISP once the returnee has been in Cambodia two years, except in those cases were the returnee has been previously determined to be a “special needs’ case. It is the expectation of RISP that the returnee will contribute to the costs of their medications in all cases where it is possible. In addition, RISP will utilize the services of relevant NGOs and governmental bodies to obtain necessary medical services and medications. When it is necessary RISP will supplement the payment in order that the returnee obtain their medications. RISP will not contribute to the payment of medicine after two years of being in Cambodia unless the returnee has bee previously determined to be “special needs” case. * Cases of illness or accident not covered by insurance
RISP may pay medical expenses up to, but not exceeding, $200.00 per incident. The following are the guidelines for this support:
*
In cases of illness
(malaria, dengue fever etc) the returnee must inform the case
manager and follow all recommendations:
o Obtain
necessary check-ups and medical exams o Follow-up on all referrals to NGOs or medical agencies and follow their recommendations
*
The support will apply
only to returnees that have been in Cambodia less than two years. o This support will be terminated by RISP once the returnee has been in Cambodia two years, except in those cases where a returnee has been previously determined to be a “special needs” case.
Employment Support RISP helps returnees who request assistance in preparing for and seeking employment; RISP does not provide jobs. RISP will actively work to develop and maintain a large pool of potential employers to whom we can refer returnees who meet the job description, demonstrate a strong desire to work and are sufficiently stable to be able to maintain the work schedule. In order to maintain a good pool of employers RISP must gain the confidence and respect of those employers. Returnees who fail to show for work or have other problems on the job make it very difficult to keep a good job pool. * Employment support involves the following: * Assisting with CV and cover letter preparation * Complete application forms * Providing volunteerism and training placement * Assisting in securing all necessary documents * Mock/practice interviews * Providing follow up support after a returnee has been placed to work and/or training RISP will follow-up with both the employer and the employee (returnee) to evaluate the progress and if there are any problems that can be sorted out. This is a complete voluntary program. The essence of the EAP is to prepare returnees for full-time employment in Cambodia. It is important for returnees seriously searching for work to demonstrate the following: * An ability to perform the job * A strong desire to work * An ability to maintain the work schedule
*
Good work ethic and
attitude Special Needs Housing Assistance The Special Needs Housing Assistance serves those returnees who are incapable of living independently and must be under close supervision due to mental illness, cognitive deficits (developmental disability) or severe physical disabilities; this is the sole purpose of the RISP Special Needs House (SNH). This service is delivered in full, e.g. a stable controlled and secure residence, regular medical and psychiatric visits, psychotropic medications, medical care, food/hygiene/clothes and structured/supervised activities Transitional Housing Assistance Transitional Housing exists for returnees who have inadequate or no resources to help them get established in Cambodia, i.e., no family, no job, no funds or support from friends. This is a temporary placement and returnee’s stay will be time-limited (3 to 6 months) based on a mutual contract between case management and the returnee. The rules below must be followed; a failure to do so may – and repeated failures will -result in expulsion from the premises. In order to live in Transitional Housing a returnee must agree to the following: * Sign a written contract where rules and consequences are clearly listed; * Participate in keeping the house as requested; * Participate in all tasks assigned by the case manager;
* Demonstrate
that one is making progress toward independent living. Legal
Support/Assistance * Human Rights Monitoring o RISP monitors conditions of returnees in detention in order to assure their rights are protected; o RISP monitors legal proceedings involving returnees and assists them in understanding and participating fully in these proceedings * Necessary Documentation o RISP assists returnees in understanding and securing routine documents required of all Cambodians (e.g. family book registration, ID card, birth and marriage certificates, vehicle registration, leases, contracts, etc.);
o
RISP assists returnees
in securing documents required for employment In addition,
since the majority returnees lack the language and academic skills
necessary RISP will also provide services with document evaluation.
RISP does not pay legal expenses, fines or any related fees or gratuities Scholarship Grant A scholarship grant is provided universally to returnees as needed. This provision is to help returnees become equipped with essential skills, training and education in order for them to become successfully employed and therefore better integrated into the Cambodian society.
1. Needs 2. Commitment; 3. Ability of the individual to follow through; and
4.
The grant proposal written by the returnee will improve the
possibility of obtaining employment. Outreach Service/Follow up Support Outreach service is intended to investigate the wellbeing of those who are living in the provinces, and follow up on those who have utilized program assistance; e.g. employment, scholarship, and housing, etc. Outreach service serves the following function:
This provision is only
for those who have arrived in Cambodia under a one year period,
those determined to be special needs cases and those who utilizes
RISP assistance, i.e. employment, housing and scholarship grant,
etc…….. Returnee Volunteerism/Training Many returnees do not have the work history or academic credentials to be able to obtain jobs in Cambodia. This program is designed to provide returnees with the training and experience necessary to be able to find suitable employment. This service is meant to simulate a real job, e.g. specific work schedule, supervision (boss), job description, etc. This is a sub
component of RISP Employment Assistance Program (EAP) designed for
returnees who are serious about obtaining employment to build their
resume, obtain positive references and develop the necessary work
habits to function within a work environment. RISP is aware that
many returnees do not have the financial resources to be able to
volunteer without some support. A small stipend is available for
those who qualify to help with transportation and food. Financial Assistance * RISP Offers o RISP provides assistance with personal financial management; * Teaches people how to manage their money;
*
Helps people set up a
bank account. * RISP Does Not Offer o RISP does not provide loans, grants or scholarship assistance from general program funds (USAID grant). RISP, however, offers these assistance when private funds are available; o RISP does not provide advances on salaries to staff;
o
RISP does not provide
advances on salaries to returnees; IV. Information about the RISP Web Site The RISP web site address is www.rispcambodia.org. The purpose of the web site is to provide returnees and their families, both in Cambodia and the United States, information regarding RISP. The web site will contain valuable information including a Survival Guide, the immigration process in Cambodia, services offered by RISP and orientation information. RISP wants to inform both families and people who are waiting to be deported about what they will likely expect when they arrive in Cambodia.
Deportation is a very stressful
event in the life of a person (the returnee) and the life of an
entire family. This web site will hopefully be able to relieve some
of the fears and tensions that individuals and their families might
experience when they are about to be deported. The web site is in
both English and Khmer. The site will provide the individual and
their family an opportunity to contact RISP with questions and
concerns. In addition, there will be information for other
interested parties, i.e. potential donors, attorneys, journalists
and policy-makers. It is the hope of RISP that this site will be
able to answer important questions for anyone interested in learning
more about RISP services and staff, issues related to deportation,
news stories and personal stories of returnees. V. Withdrawal/Termination of PrivilegesSuccessful integration into Cambodia will require changes in your life style, i.e. changes in dress, how one relates to women, food, attitudes, family life, etc. If you come from a background where drugs, weapons, criminal behavior and/or violence have been an integral part of your life – this must change. If you hope to make a healthy adjustment to a very different way of being in the world – Cambodian society – you must be conscious and intentional in making healthy choices. Failure to adjust (to accept your return to Cambodia) could produce serious problems in your life, i.e. drug and alcohol addiction, interpersonal relationships, poverty, chronic unemployment, homelessness and/or incarceration. Many returnees believe that RISP exists to meet most of their physical and emotional needs, i.e. housing, employment and financial. A second belief is that returnees are entitled to permanent services and that these services must be tailored to their individual unique needs. A final belief is that drugs, alcohol and violence will be tolerated by RISP. This is absolutely wrong! RISP is a voluntary program. We are not a correctional or human service/welfare agency; nor are we part of INS. We are a humanitarian organization which exists to support the integration of returnees deported to Cambodia. The project offers services (mentioned in section III) and is designed to work in collaboration with the returnee. This is not a one-way street, the returnee must participate, work to meet project recommendations and follow-through with their agreements. RISP reserves the right to choose not to work with returnees – or limit its support of returnees – who violate rules or choose not to cooperate.
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