By Alexia Gardner, Policy Analyst, and Anum Merchant, Policy Intern In May of 1939, a boat of German Jews aboard the St. Louis pleaded for asylum in the United States. They were denied entry and returned to Europe. 254 of the passengers were later killed in the Holocaust. Rosa Seligmann was murdered at Auschwitz. Martha Scheyer was killed at Sobibor. […]
Refugee Health Promotion (RHP)
Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) is a Refugee Support Services (RSS) set-aside program that promotes the health and wellbeing of refugees and other ORR-eligible groups for up to 5-years from date of arrival to the U.S. or date of ORR-eligibility by:
1) Providing opportunities to increase health literacy,
2) Coordinating physical and mental health care; and
3) Organizing wellness group activities.
RHP-funded organizations may provide services that fall under one or more of these categories, which is dependent on each individual agency’s annual proposal and program design. The nature of services provided can also vary by agency, even within the same category, so it is always best to reach out to them directly to obtain information and coordinate care.
Health Education Program (HEP):
Health Education Classes and Targeted Health Outreach to Individuals. Programs provide opportunities to increase health literacy for eligible populations, empowering clients to make informed health decisions.
Health Navigation Program (HNP):
Medical and Mental Health Navigation and Support. Programs coordinating health care for individuals and providing services to ensure individuals can navigate and access complex health care systems.
Wellness Program (WP):
Adjustment Groups, Skill-Building Networks, and Peer Support Meetings. Programs organize wellness groups to connect individuals with social groups and learning activities that promote their health and well-being.
Missouri Refugee Health Services subcontracts with a combination of community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers and local resettlement agencies to implement the above programs.
Saint Louis:
- ICNA Relief Health Education and Wellness Groups for Afghan individuals
- Monarch Immigrant Services Health Navigation and Wellness Groups for all ORR-eligible populations
- Affinia Healthcare Health Education and Health Navigation for complex medical health conditions for all ORR-eligible populations
- Kindness Begins with Me Health Education and Wellness Groups for Afghan individuals
Joplin
- Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (RAISE) Health Education, Health Navigation and Wellness Groups for all ORR-eligible populations
- Access Family Care Health Navigation for complex medical health conditions for all ORR-eligible populations
Columbia
- Monarch Immigrant Services Health Education and Health Navigation services for Afghan individuals
Kansas
- Della Lamb Community Services Health Education, Health Navigation and Wellness Group activities for all ORR-eligible populations
- Jewish Vocational Services Health Navigation for all ORR-eligible populations
