U.S. Department of State, Bureau of PRM: 2018 Cultural Orientation (CO) Technical Assistance Program

Deadline: 13 November 2017

The United States Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is seeking proposals from eligible organisations for its 2018 Cultural Orientation (CO) Technical Assistance Program to strengthen linkages between overseas CO programs for refugees approved for admission to the United States and reception and placement (R&P) activities conducted upon their arrival.

Objectives

To strengthen linkages between overseas CO programs and R&P activities:
- Develop, maintain and manage a CO website and newsletter;
- Provide technical support to the CO working group;
- On request, conduct presentations regarding CO at national and/or regional refugee resettlement-related conferences;
- If requested by the Bureau, provide technical assistance to overseas and/or domestic CO programs regarding the evaluation of CO program activities, and the assessment of student learning and understanding, as appropriate;
- Facilitate overseas and domestic CO trainer exchanges; and
- If requested by the Bureau, provide coordination and/or facilitation of special forums or workshops.
To provide information and materials to overseas CO programs and to domestic refugee service providers:
- Compile fact sheets and other documents to be posted on the CO website;
- Identify, locate, and distribute specific materials requested by overseas CO programs;
- Ensure that all CO materials are available online, as possible and practicable, in accessible and flexible electronic format(s);
- When requested, handle bulk distribution of hardcopy Bureau-produced materials to overseas CO providers and domestic R&P affiliates in order to supplement electronic materials;
- Produce new translations of and updated format and content for the Welcome to the United States guidebooks, videos, and DVDs as directed by the Bureau;
- Reproduce hardcopies, and maintain and store an adequate inventory of the Welcome to the United States guidebooks, videos, and DVDs as necessary to supplement electronically-available materials at the request of the Bureau, overseas CO providers, and domestic R&P affiliates.
To provide support and technical assistance to overseas and domestic CO programs on request;
To provide feedback to overseas CO programs as needed with guidance from the Bureau;
To provide other technical assistance requested by the Bureau, subject to availability of funds and adequate staffing levels to perform assigned tasks.
To strengthen communication between RSCs and refugees during overseas case processing to ensure refugees have ready access to accurate, useful information about the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and general orientation topics.
- To translate current materials on the refugee facing website, as requested by the Bureau.
- Maintain and update the refugee facing website regularly and create additional material as needed.
- Design, develop, and distribute resources as needed and requested by the Bureau.

Grant Information

Project proposals must not be less than $900,000 per year and no more than $1,175,000 per year or they will be disqualified.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants:
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
- International Organizations.
- International multilateral organizations, such as United Nations agencies
- Multilateral organizations that are seeking funding for programs relevant to this announcement should contact the PRM Program Officer (as listed below) on or before the closing date of the funding announcement.
In order to be considered for participation in the program, applicants must:
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience in cultural orientation curriculum and materials development; in educational program implementation and evaluation; in assessment of student learning and understanding; in basic ESL curriculum and materials development; and in adult teaching and learning methodology;
- Demonstrate experience working in a refugee context or with other migrant populations in the United States; and
- Demonstrate financial stability and provide documentation of at least three full years of operation in a 501(c)(3) non-profit status.