Family Support

Immigrant and Refugee Family Support

The Immigrant and Refugee Family Support Program provides high-quality, bilingual and culturally appropriate family support services to English language learners to:

• increase parent and guardian involvement in their children’s school activities;



• overcome barriers that can impede school success; and



• prepare parents and guardians to effectively guide their children so they will be prepared to enter and ultimately graduate from school.

Supporting and engaging newly arrived families from other countries and cultures in a way that appreciates their cultural, linguistic and economic diversity is critical to their success in this community and to the success of their children in school.

Contracted agencies in southeast and southwest Seattle have staff who are culturally and linguistically skilled to provide parents who are learning English as a second language with the information, assistance and skills they need to connect with schools and participate in school-based, academic-related activities. The agencies seek out and develop partnerships with schools to provide effective services for families, and sometimes provide services at school sites.

The agencies also offer courses during the summer to help parents increase their knowledge and understanding of school issues and their children’s success in school.

The Immigrant and Refugee Family Support Program was launched by the Seattle Human Services Department in 2006 and serves more than 500 new immigrants and refugees each year. In 2009, the City of Seattle is providing approximately $315,360 to nonprofit, community-based organizations providing these services.

2009 Funded Agencies and Programs

• Chinese Information & Service Center
• El Centro de la Raza
• Lao Highland Association of King County, 206-854-1558
• Refugee Women’s Alliance
• SafeFutures Youth Center
• Southwest Youth and Family Services

Information

For more information about Seattle Human Services Department-funded services for children and families, call 206-684-8852 or e-mail childrenandfamilies@seattle.gov.

For more information about our partners and related programs, visit

• Seattle Public Schools Family Involvement
• Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Migrant and Bilingual Education

Links

• Current Funding Opportunities
• News