December – Health and Wellness Program
Our Refugee Health and Wellness staff members – Cat Gossman and Isra Kassim – work with refugees who face difficulties related to health and wellness as they resettle in the United States. The Health and Wellness Program provides intensive case management for refugees who have been in the country for five years or less and have exceptional physical or mental health needs. To qualify for their services, refugees need at least 6 months of case management. In other words, the program enrolls people with extensive and long-term needs. A common misconception of the program is that they are able to aid with short-term illnesses, such as taking an individual to the doctor for the flu. Eric Rusingiza, CRIS' Resource Specialist, is able to help those that don't qualify for the Health and Wellness Program and need assistance with short-term treatment. The Health and Wellness Program focuses on those who have long-term illnesses, those who might need referrals to specialists, or those who in general need extra help navigating our complicated medical system.
The Health and Wellness Program facilitates a variety of wellness activities. Activities in the past have included Bhutanese yoga groups, an Afghan Women's Support Group, and an Iraqi Women's Support Group. The program is currently running an education and empowerment group for Swahili speakers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The goals of this group are to help participants practice some basic English, gain a broader understanding of US culture and systems, and build a stronger sense of community support. During the first session of this group, participants selected the name “Unganisha” which means “Connect” in Swahili, as they are striving to deepen their connections to one another and to the broader community. Groups like Unganisha can act as an extended cultural orientation, teaching individuals what to do if they have an emergency, what to do if their landlord is not responding, acceptable parenting practices in the US, how to access Ohio Medicaid Transportation Services, and so much more. Health and Wellness works with medical providers, social service agencies, social security offices, and has close relationships with several other community providers.
One example of the Health and Wellness Program in action is helping eligible refugees and immigrants apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI gives those who are over 65, who are faced with a disability of any kind, and who have limited income and resources, a monthly payment to aid with everyday expenses. The Health and Wellness Program was able to help a client with a severe disability file an application for SSI in March. His application was originally denied, so Health and Wellness reached out to a social security attorney, who also is on the CRIS board. With his help, the client was able to file an appeal. After months of back and forth, the client was finally approved for SSI a few weeks ago. However, the last nine months have not been easy. The client has been reliant on financial donations from many of CRIS' generous donors in order to pay for his rent and utilities. Now that he is approved for SSI, he can afford the most basic necessitates.
As always, programs at CRIS are made successful through community support. In the spirit of giving this month, CRIS would greatly appreciate your donations to support programs such as Health and Wellness. To donate, please visit here. We are honored to be partnered with you in such an effort to ensure that refugees and immigrants reach a goal of long-term self-sufficiency and integration. CRIS would like to thank you and wishes you good health, happiness, and success in the coming year.