Refugee Information

Health Programs

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

The Refugee Assistance Services Program Section also support and funds the position of State Refugee Health Coordinator (currently Savitri Tsering) within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. One of the primary responsibilities for this position is to coordinate the initial refugee health screenings provided by local public health departments and work with the federal Center of Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that communicable diseases are identified and addressed. For more information, please visit the Refugee Health page at the Department of Health Services site: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/international/index.htm

Health Screening Program

The Refugee Assistance Services Program Section enters into contracts with local health departments to provide health screening services for newly arriving refugees. 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.

Mental Health Program

The Mental Health Program was a federally funded program, which is administers by Refugee Assistance Services Program Section within the Department of Workforce Development—the Section is now transferred to the Department of Children and Families. The Section subcontracts to counties, private mental health agencies, and refugee resettlement agencies to provide culturally and linguistically competent mental health services when funding is available.

There are three primary goals within the program. The goals include providing bilingual and bicultural clinical services, community education and outreach to refugee communities, and providing consultation and in-service to mental health staff at large.

There currently are five regional programs statewide with bilingual 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 and individual consultation to health and mental health staff and personnel to help them provide culturally sensitive care to refugees.

As of January 1, 2009, the five regional mental health programs no longer receive funds from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Hmong Mental Health Glossary
National Institute of Mental Health - Prevention Webpage

Preventive Health Program

Preventive Health is a federally funded program, under which the Refugee Assistance Services Program Section receives a grant, which it distributes to refugee service provider agencies. The primary purpose of the program is to provide bilingual outreach to recent refugees concerning health issues. Staff provides interpretation to refugees and transport refugees to their medical appointments. Staff also conducts orientation workshops for refugees on American society and its health care system. Staff also provides 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.

Other Health Resources


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