Call for Applications: Placement and Coordination Program (US)

The Placement and Coordination (PC) Program, administered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), provides funding to eligible organizations to deliver refugee placement, resettlement, and intensive case management services across the United States. The program aims to strengthen the national refugee resettlement system by expanding the network of organizations providing high-quality support to newly arrived refugees.

With an estimated $27.82 million in total funding and awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million, the program supports organizations that coordinate refugee placement, provide initial resettlement assistance, and deliver long-term case management for individuals with significant needs.

About the Placement and Coordination Program

The Placement and Coordination (PC) Program is designed to strengthen the U.S. refugee resettlement framework by supporting organizations that coordinate refugee placement and oversee comprehensive resettlement services.

The program encourages new organizations that are not currently implementing the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR) to participate, helping diversify service providers and improve refugee support nationwide.

Funded organizations administer services directly or through local resettlement providers, ensuring refugees receive coordinated assistance from arrival through successful integration into their new communities.

Program Objectives

The Placement and Coordination Program aims to:

• Strengthen the national refugee resettlement system.
• Expand the network of refugee service providers.
• Improve refugee placement coordination.
• Deliver high-quality Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR) services.
• Provide Intensive Case Management (ICM) for vulnerable refugees.
• Promote refugee self-sufficiency and successful integration.
• Strengthen collaboration among local resettlement providers.
• Ensure timely access to housing, benefits, healthcare, and community services.

Funding Available

The program provides:

• Estimated total funding: $27,820,000
• Award ceiling: $5,000,000
• Award floor: $1,000,000

Funding supports eligible organizations delivering placement and coordination services throughout the United States.

Services Supported

Funded organizations may provide or coordinate:

• Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR) services.
• Intensive Case Management (ICM).
• Refugee placement coordination.
• Refugee case profile reviews.
• Outreach to identified U.S. family or community ties.
• Placement location confirmation.
• Coordination with local resettlement providers.
• Airport reception and pickup.
• Housing identification and furnishing.
• Benefits enrollment assistance.
• Referrals to community resources.
• Cultural orientation.
• Direct financial or material assistance.
• Ongoing case management.
• Psychosocial support.
• Connections to healthcare and external service providers.

Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR)

The Program of Initial Resettlement provides essential services during the first stage of a refugee’s arrival.

Services generally include:

• Safe arrival support.
• Airport pickup.
• Temporary or permanent housing.
• Household furnishings.
• Orientation to the local community.
• Benefits applications.
• Service referrals.
• Initial case management.

PIR services are generally delivered for 30 to 90 days after arrival, depending on each refugee’s self-sufficiency needs.

Intensive Case Management (ICM)

The Intensive Case Management component provides additional support for refugees experiencing significant barriers to successful integration.

Eligible individuals may include those with:

• Physical disabilities.
• Mental health conditions.
• Chronic medical conditions.
• Other complex needs affecting self-sufficiency.

Service duration includes:

• 6 to 12 months for most eligible participants.
• 12 to 24 months for individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status.
• Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status.
• Public institutions of higher education.
• Private institutions of higher education.
• County governments.
• City governments.
• Township governments.
• Independent school districts.
• Public housing authorities.
• Indian housing authorities.
• Special district governments.
• Native American tribal organizations.
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Program Delivery Model

Placement and Coordination providers may:

• Deliver services directly.
• Operate through one or more local service providers.
• Coordinate placements with local refugee resettlement agencies.
• Maintain networks of community-based service providers.
• Ensure continuity of services from arrival through long-term integration.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

• Refugee reception and placement.
• Housing coordination.
• Community integration services.
• Benefits navigation.
• Intensive case management.
• Mental health and psychosocial support.
• Cultural orientation.
• Family reunification coordination.
• Community referrals.
• Provider coordination and oversight.

Why This Program Matters

The Placement and Coordination Program plays a critical role in strengthening refugee resettlement across the United States by:

• Expanding access to quality resettlement services.
• Supporting vulnerable refugee populations.
• Improving long-term integration outcomes.
• Building stronger local provider networks.
• Increasing refugee self-sufficiency.
• Enhancing collaboration between national and local organizations.
• Diversifying organizations participating in refugee resettlement.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization meets all federal eligibility requirements.

2. Develop a Service Delivery Plan

Prepare a comprehensive proposal describing:

• Placement and coordination approach.
• Local provider network.
• Refugee support services.
• Case management model.
• Organizational capacity.

3. Prepare the Budget

Develop a detailed budget demonstrating how grant funds will support program implementation.

4. Gather Required Documentation

Include:

• Organizational information.
• Proof of eligibility.
• Program narrative.
• Budget and budget justification.
• Required federal forms.

5. Submit the Application

Complete and submit the application according to the funding opportunity instructions before the published deadline.

Assessment Considerations

Applications are generally evaluated based on:

• Organizational capacity.
• Experience serving refugee populations.
• Quality of the service delivery model.
• Strength of local partnerships.
• Ability to provide comprehensive refugee services.
• Financial management capability.
• Expected program outcomes.

Tips for Applicants

To strengthen your proposal:

• Demonstrate strong refugee service experience.
• Build partnerships with local resettlement providers.
• Present a detailed case management strategy.
• Clearly explain coordination processes.
• Include measurable performance outcomes.
• Provide a realistic implementation timeline.
• Show organizational readiness to manage federal funding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Providing unclear service delivery plans.
• Omitting partnership information.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to address refugee placement coordination.
• Overlooking requirements for Intensive Case Management.
• Demonstrating insufficient organizational capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who administers the Placement and Coordination Program?

The program is administered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

How much funding is available?

The program has an estimated total funding of $27.82 million, with awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, local governments, housing authorities, tribal organizations, and federally recognized tribal governments.

What is the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR)?

PIR provides newly arrived refugees with essential resettlement services, including housing, orientation, benefits assistance, and case management during the first 30 to 90 days after arrival.

What is Intensive Case Management (ICM)?

ICM provides extended support for refugees with significant medical, mental health, or other barriers to self-sufficiency for 6 to 24 months, depending on individual needs.

Can organizations that already implement the Program of Initial Resettlement apply?

The program is intended to diversify providers by funding eligible organizations that are not currently implementing the Program of Initial Resettlement.

What services are supported?

Funding supports refugee placement coordination, housing assistance, airport reception, benefits enrollment, case management, psychosocial support, cultural orientation, referrals, and other resettlement services.

Conclusion

The Placement and Coordination Program represents a significant federal investment in strengthening refugee resettlement across the United States. By providing grants of $1 million to $5 million, the program enables eligible organizations to deliver comprehensive placement, reception, and long-term case management services that promote successful integration, improve self-sufficiency, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the national refugee resettlement system.