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Date: |
September 15, 2026 |
07 |
Title
Approve Submission of the Refugee Support Services Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2027-2029 and Adopt the Related Resolution (Districts: All)
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Overview
The County of San Diego (County) receives federal funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) via the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) to provide employment and support services to assist refugees and newly arrived immigrants in the region achieve self-sufficiency, integrate into society and thrive. Counties with significant refugee populations are designated as “impacted” and allocated Refugee Support Services (RSS) funding. They are then required to develop a County Refugee Services Plan every three years. This plan identifies the services to be provided and outlines how they will be delivered to refugees. On September 26, 2023 (5), the County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and adopted the Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2024-2026 Refugee Support Services (RSS) Plan (Plan) and associated resolution. The County’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Department of Self-Sufficiency Services, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (SSS-OIRA) has developed the proposed FFY 2027-2029 RSS Plan to meet required guidelines and incorporate feedback from local stakeholders, refugee community members, and service providers. The Plan adopts a holistic approach recognizing that successful workforce participation depends on more than job placement. Refugees benefit most when they have access to supportive services such as English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, childcare, transportation, housing assistance, and culturally responsive information and referral services.
The Plan summarizes the full array of services funded or coordinated through RSS, including employment and vocational English training, on‑the‑job training, case management, translation and interpretation, social adjustment support, housing assistance, and services for older refugees. Services are delivered through a coordinated regional model and occur across the County’s Central, East, North, North Coastal, North Inland, and South regions through contracted employment providers, ESL programs, and the two Immigrant & Refugee Welcome Centers (IRWCs) located at the South Region Live Well Center in National City and the North Inland Live Well Center in Escondido. The plan aligns with the RSS funding structure, which is allocated to impacted counties based on refugee caseloads and communicated through CDSS Refugee Coordinator Letters (RCLs). While funding has already been issued under these allocations, the plan is being submitted in accordance with statutory and RCL requirements to document how RSS-funded services will be delivered.
Today’s item requests the Board approve submission of the FFY 2027-2029 RSS Plan, adopt the associated resolution and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to implement the RSS Plan. Additionally, today’s action would authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to pursue additional funding opportunities in support of refugee and immigrant services.
Today’s action supports the County’s vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically for communities in the County that have been historically under-resourced. This also supports our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities by supporting programs that remove barriers to employment and resources for refugee populations, thereby supporting regional economic inclusion and equity.
Body
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
1) Approve submission of the Federal Fiscal Years 2027-2029 Refugee Support Services Plan to the California Department of Social Services, Refugee Programs Bureau and authorize submittal of revisions by the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, when required by changes in funding or services.
2) Adopt the Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO RELATING TO REFUGEE SUPPORT SERVICES PLAN FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2027 THROUGH FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2029.
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Equity Impact Statement
San Diego County is one of California’s primary destinations for refugee resettlement and one of the most diverse newcomer regions in the state. Local, state, and federal data consistently show that the county receives a significant share of statewide refugee arrivals, shaped by global migration trends, regional demographics, border dynamics, and a long-standing resettlement infrastructure. Between Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) FFY 2023-2025, Resettlement Agency data indicate that approximately 6,776 refugees, including asylees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and victims of trafficking and crime, were resettled in the region, with an estimated 9,600 arrivals between 2020-2023.
Self-Sufficiency Services, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (SSS-OIRA) is committed to advancing equity for all refugees and immigrants by providing culturally responsive, trauma informed services that promote stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term integration. The department works closely with a robust network of resettlement agencies and community-based organizations to ensure equitable access to Refugee Support Services (RSS) such as employment assistance, language supports, and social adjustment services. Regional collaboration is central to this work, with SSS-OIRA actively participating in coordinated efforts like the San Diego Refugee Forum, Welcome Newcomers Network, San Diego Regional Collaboration, and the El Cajon Collaborative, as well as maintaining regular coordination meetings with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Refugee Programs Bureau and local providers.
Through these partnerships and a client centered approach, SSS-OIRA helps reduce barriers, promote safety and wellbeing, and expand opportunity for newcomer families across San Diego County, ensuring that investments in refugee services meaningfully advance equity for communities with the greatest need.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s actions support the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal #1 to engage the community, Sustainability Goal #2 to ensure just and equitable access to services, and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region. By coordinating accessible Refugee Support Services and strengthening partnerships with community organizations, Self Sufficiency Services promotes resilient communities and long-term economic sustainability for refugee and immigrant families. These efforts help ensure that newcomers have the resources needed to participate fully in the region’s social and economic life, contributing to a sustainable, thriving, and inclusive San Diego County.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Years (FY) 2026-28 Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, today’s recommendations will result in costs and revenue of approximately $2.8 million in FY 2026-27 and $2.7 million in FY 2027-28. The funding source is Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement passed through the California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
This item will be reviewed by the Social Services Advisory Board at its September 9, 2026 meeting.
Background
Refugees are individuals who have fled their countries due to persecution and cannot safely return home. Since 1975, San Diego County has been a federally designated refugee resettlement region and remains a major arrival destination for refugees and humanitarian newcomers, receiving more than 6,700 Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible individuals between FFY 2023-2025. Significant populations include arrivals from Haiti/Cuba, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Historically, many services for immigrant and refugee communities have been limited due to immigration status. They also experience language and cultural barriers that make workforce entry challenging and require tailored support. To address these gaps, the County’s Health and Human Services (HHSA), Self Sufficiency Services - Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (SSS-OIRA) administers California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Refugee Support Services (RSS) funded programs that provide employment, English as a Second Language, on‑the‑job training, housing support, case management, information and referrals, and specialized services for older refugees. Employment services are primarily delivered by contracted agencies while Immigrant & Refugee Welcome Centers (IRWCs) embedded within two County facilities serve as community‑facing hubs for culturally responsive navigation to County benefits, legal services, behavioral health, education resources, housing programs, and other supportive services.
During the FFY 2024-2026 RSS Plan period, the County provided Refugee Support Services (RSS) to more than 2,000 unduplicated individuals each year. In FFY 2025 alone the County served 2,119 unduplicated participants, offering employment services, English language instruction, vocational training, on‑the‑job training, childcare, transportation, translation and interpretation, case management, and information and referral services. These services supported both newly arrived refugees and longer‑term ORR‑eligible individuals, with 1,372 participants in their first 12 months in the U.S. and 769 participants between 13-60 months.
In addition, the County’s Services to Older Refugees (SOR) program supported 408 older refugees with peer mentoring, social connection activities, transportation to medical and mental health appointments, and assistance accessing public benefits. Together, RSS and SOR programming served a total of 2,527 individuals, demonstrating strong, consistent service delivery aligned with federal guidelines and community needs.
Customers typically access RSS programs via walk‑ins, scheduled appointments, community workshops, or referrals from resettlement agencies (RAs). The RSS plan emphasizes culturally responsive, trauma‑informed service delivery aligned with regional needs identified through extensive partner coordination and community engagement. It highlights the importance of language access, transportation, childcare, and housing stability as critical to successful employment outcomes and integration. The service network leverages digital tools for assessments, case documentation, and communication, and integrates refugee services within broader County safety‑net programs to streamline access and improve continuity of care.
The RSS plan, updated every three years, guides SSS-OIRA’s administration of these programs and services. The plan aligns with the RSS funding structure, which is allocated to impacted counties based on refugee caseloads and communicated through CDSS Refugee Coordinator Letters (RCLs). While funding has already been issued under these allocations, the plan is being submitted in accordance with statutory and RCL requirements to document how RSS-funded services will be delivered.
The comprehensive planning and community engagement process is described in Attachment A. SSS-OIRA partners with community stakeholders and applies regional data and best practices to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for program participants. Furthermore, the proposed FFY 2027-2029 RSS Plan was informed by feedback from program participants, community partners, and service providers gathered through surveys, listening sessions, partner convenings, and analysis of community level indicators. As part of this process, confidential and anonymous surveys were administered in May 2026 to both RSS participants and service providers in multiple languages and through a wide network of resettlement agencies, community-based organizations, and regional partners. Despite extensive outreach, the lower-than-expected response rate may have resulted from recent federal policy and enforcement changes that appear to have reduced community participation during the survey period. A total of 40 participant surveys and 28 provider surveys were completed, offering valuable insights into service experiences, emerging needs, and barriers to employment and integration. Respondents reported overall satisfaction with services and identified priority needs, such as citizenship information, employment assistance, English language training, housing support, legal services, and navigation of public programs. Feedback also highlighted opportunities to improve computer literacy, childcare access, behavioral health information, and transportation. In addition to surveys, planning was informed by four Listening Sessions and ongoing input through regular coordination meetings with RAs, monitoring of daily assistance requests received through the Immigrant and Refugee Welcome Centers (IRWCs), and continued engagement with immigrant- and refugee-serving organizations. Input from community members and partners also emphasized ongoing barriers that prevent refugees, many of whom possess advanced education and professional experience, from securing living-wage employment. To address these concerns, SSS-OIRA will further engage contractors and community partners to explore strategies that strengthen career pathways, enhance workforce connections, and expand access to job fairs and employment-focused events. This feedback directly informs the direction of the forthcoming three-year RSS Plan and the commitment to improving employment outcomes for refugee families. SSS-OIRA will continue working closely with providers and regional partners to strengthen these service areas and incorporate ongoing community input throughout implementation of the Plan.
Each September, CDSS collaborates with counties to set annual ORR-6 RSS targets, traditionally aiming for a 10% increase in employment-related outcomes. This year, however, planning is constrained by historically low federal refugee admissions and recent federal changes affecting protected status and work authorization, both of which are reducing enrollment. CDSS will continue coordinating with counties and will finalize targets once projected arrival and enrollment figures are clearer, in alignment with the ORR-6 plan due October 16, 2026.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed actions support the County of San Diego 2026-2031 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Equity (Health) and Community (Quality of Life) as well as the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This is accomplished by supporting services for families with limited financial resources and promoting self-sufficiency throughout San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
Ebony N. Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
Attachment A - RSS Plan 2027-2029
Attachment B - Resolution