|
Returnee Integration Support Center |
|
Services & Policies |
|
RISC SERVICES MANUAL Click this link to download RISC Services Manual Purpose of this document This document serves two purposes: To provide Cambodian returnees deported from the United States with information regarding what services the Returnee Integration Support Center (RISC) provides and clear guidelines regarding how to access those services. RISC 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 RISC programming; RISC is completely voluntary. To clearly enumerate RISC policies and procedures in order to create a clear and universal understanding of the rules and regulations associated with the services offered by RISC. These services and policies will abide by the following principles: Consistency with the law: All RISC 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. Scope of the Policies These policies are an important part of the agreement between each returnee and RISC. It is the responsibility of each returnee to make sure they fully 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 and Board of Directors will be responsible for the regular review of all RISC policies and procedures and will have final approval to all changes made. RISC Mission Statement All services, policies and procedures must reflect the mission statement of RISC, 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. The Returnee Integration Support Center is a non-governmental humanitarian organization easing the integration process into society of people who were admitted to the United States as refugees and are being deported to Cambodia. Through our services we provide initial orientation, documentation, employment search, temporary housing, basic medical support and referral services, in order to support returnees who seek assistance in becoming independent and productive members of society. III. RISC Policies and Services Orientation Orientation starts prior to the returnee actually landing in Cambodia with knowledge obtained about the country, RISC services and personnel. This pre-arrival information will be posted on the web site: www.risccambodia.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 RISC orientation personnel. The returnees will be informed about RISC, 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: Pre-arrival RISC web site which contains the following: What to expect before arrival What to expect upon arrival RISC program services RISC policies and procedures General information regarding: Medical services Mental health services Employment Currency Phone calls local and international Transportation Food and water Language Religion/culture Time difference Climate/weather Processing on arrival Meet returnee in the immigration housing facility; 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 returnees family and sponsor; Assistance orienting returnees family/sponsor in order to ensure a smooth release from the immigration housing facility. Provide information to returnees on the following issues: RISC 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. RISC will sponsor any returnee who does not have a sponsor. After release from the Immigration Housing Facility, RISC 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 ones interest/request. Medical Support The provision of basic medical support during the initial phase of integration is in keeping with the RISC mission of supporting returnees in becoming independent and productive members of society. RISC has a humanitarian commitment to provide emergency medical assistance in cases of illness or injury or maintenance treatment for chronic conditions. RISC 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 RISC 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 There can be no duplication of coverage The coverage will apply only to returnees that have been in Cambodia less than two years. This coverage will be terminated by RISC once the returnee has been in Cambodia two years; 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 RISC 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 RISC 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: Obtain necessary check-ups and medical exams; 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. This coverage will be terminated by RISC 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 RISC that the returnee will contribute to the costs of their medications in all cases where it is possible. In addition, RISC will utilize the services of relevant NGOs and governmental bodies to obtain necessary medical services and medications. When it is necessary RISC will supplement the payment in order that the returnee obtain their medications. RISC 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 RISC 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: Obtain necessary check-ups and medical exams 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. This support will be terminated by RISC 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 RISC helps returnees who request assistance in preparing for and seeking employment; RISC does not provide jobs. RISC 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 RISC 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 RISC 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 RISC 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 returnees stay will be time-limited (1-3 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 clean 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 RISC monitors conditions of returnees in detention in order to assure their rights are protected; RISC monitors legal proceedings involving returnees and assists them in understanding and participating fully in these proceedings. Necessary Documentation RISC 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.); RISC assists returnees in securing documents required for employment (e.g. drivers license, passport, etc.) In addition, since the majority returnees lack the language and academic skills necessary RISC will also provide services with document evaluation upon request. RISC does not pay legal expenses, fines or any related fees or gratuities 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: To verify a returnees living, employment and financial situation; To disseminate information about RISC services; To provide services to returnees living in the provinces (outside Phnom Penh); To provide orientation as necessary; To provide legal support as necessary 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 RISC assistance, i.e. employment, housing and scholarship grant, etc
.. Financial Assistance RISC Offers RISP provides assistance with personal financial management; Teaches people how to manage their money; Helps people set up a bank account. RISC Does Not Offer RISC does not provide loans, grants or scholarship assistance from general program funds. RISC, however, offers this assistance when private funds are available; RISC does not provide advances on salaries to staff; RISC does not provide advances on salaries to returnees; IV. Information about the RISC Web Site The RISC web site address is www.risccambodia.org. The purpose of the web site is to provide returnees and their families, both in Cambodia and the United States, information regarding RISC. The web site will contain valuable information including a Survival Guide, the immigration process in Cambodia, services offered by RISC and orientation information. RISC 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 RISC 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 RISC that this site will be able to answer important questions for anyone interested in learning more about RISC services and staff, issues related to deportation, news stories and personal stories of returnees. V. Withdrawal/Termination of Privileges Successful 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 RISC 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 RISC. This is absolutely wrong! RISC 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. RISC reserves the right to choose not to work with returnees or limit its support of returnees who violate rules or choose not to cooperate. |
|
Welcome to RISC web site..... A support network for returning Cambodians. |