Refugee School Impact Program

Washington State is one of many states receiving Refugee School Impact funds from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. RSI program’s goals are to promote academic performance and successful integration of eligible children through facilitating education access, and increasing school districts’ capacity to support children, youth, and families.

RSI funds are set aside to serve many different refugee and immigrant populations through different channels. Please view the table and drop-down subsections below for more information about each part of this program.

*To view a list of ORR-eligible populations, visit the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s webpage on Eligibility and Benefits.

View a list of Refugee School Impact program service providers on our interactive resource tool.

Refugee School Impact

• Short term para-educator support for new arrivals to help them navigate their first days of school
• In-class tutoring for struggling students
• After school tutoring during the week and on weekends
• Assistance with completing high school requirements for high school students
• Workshops for parents on topics such as school navigation, bullying, literacy, math activities for home, high school preparation, and college readiness
• Training for community organizations to strengthen their knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices in schools
• Training for school district staff to better understand refugee groups and the refugee experience here

• Are children ages 5-18, or the parents of eligible children.
• Have been in the United States less than five years.
• Have an immigration status that makes them eligible for federally-funded refugee services from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).  For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Ukrainian Refugee School Impact, and Afghan Refugee School Impact

• After school tutoring during the week and on weekends.
• Field trips and outdoor learning activities.
• Summer programs and activities.
• Assistance with completing high school requirements for high school students.
• Workshops for parents on topics such as school navigation, bullying, literacy, math activities for home, high school preparation, and college readiness.
• Training for community organizations to strengthen their knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices in schools.

• Are children ages 5-18, or the parents of eligible children; and
• Have an immigration status that makes them eligible to receive benefits and services under the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriation Act*; or
• Have an immigration status that makes them eligible to receive benefits and services under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act.*

Early Refugee School Impact

The Early Refugee School Impact set-aside funding is designed to promote access to child care, to ensure that Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible children are prepared to succeed in formal schooling, and to support parents of young children through engagement activities.

Services include, but are not limited to:

• Preschool/daycare systems navigation support.
• Parent workshops.
• Play and learn groups.
• Developmental screenings.
• Child development support.

Eligibility

Individuals may be eligible for services if they:

• Are children between the ages of 0-5, or the parents of eligible children.
• Have been in the United States less than five years.
• Have an immigration status that makes them eligible for federally-funded refugee services from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).  For more information about ORR eligibility, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to Schools