# data[].attributes.body
The civil war in Syria has forced many Syrians to leave their homes and flee to other countries. Many Syrians have been experienced trauma and exposed to torture or hearing the stories of torture before leaving their home country.

# data[].attributes.body
War has a profound effect on the least of these. Alun McDonald (2017) writes a report on behalf of the Save the Children foundation that reflects the voices and stories of the children and families caught in the civil war in Syria. Children have been living through traumas such as seeing homes and schools destroyed, friends being buried under rubble, and being forced to leave the place they called home, fleeing for their lives. McDonald also writes about the great need for mental health professionals and the lack of professional support.

# data[].attributes.body
Although many Syrian refugees have jobs, Frayer (2017) reports that many do not have working permits and are paid "under the table". Because of political unrest, the government was slow to give working permits to refugees. Many Turks were afraid they would take a cut in pay, while the Syrians desired to go back home when it was safe. Frayer reported that many people were under the impression that the war would not last long. But now, after almost seven years, Turkey is starting to make some changes. Turkey is giving out more working permits to the refugees.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In a neighborhood of Istanbul that's plastered with Arabic signs, a Syrian refugee whips up his specialty - avocado cream smoothies - at the small, colorful cafe where he works.

Majd al-Hassan has been in Turkey for two years, but has yet to learn much Turkish. He doesn't need to. This area is filled with fellow Syrians. He's paid in cash, under the table, and has yet to really integrate into Turkish society, he acknowledges.

"We've got Syrian supermarkets, Syrian restaurants - just like back home," says Hassan, 26. "I haven't even applied for a Turkish ID card. If peace comes to Syria, I'll go home tomorrow."

Nearby, a resident who describes herself as one of the last Turks living on this street near Istanbul's Fatih Mosque says she no longer recognizes her neighborhood.

"Before, this area was only Turkish people, mostly. But now, here, there, everywhere, it's all Syrian people," says Tulay Suleyman, who was born here. "Some Turkish people, they don't like these [new] people. Their culture is a little bit different than ours. [They're] mostly ignorant people - homeless people, low-class."

Xenophobia has flared with the arrival of migrants in parts of Europe. That has not been as big a problem in Turkey, even though there are some 3 million Syrians here - more than in all of Europe combined.

As in Europe, many of the Syrians in Turkey are educated professionals who are underemployed, working off the books for low pay - part of Turkey's swelling black market economy.

At first, when Syrian refugees began streaming over the Turkish border in 2011, the Turkish government granted them a special protected status - but no work permits.

Many thought the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad would fall quickly - another domino in the Arab Spring - and that Syrian refugees would be able to cross back over the border and return home swiftly.

With the Syrian war now in its seventh year, Turkey has opened a path to Syrians for official employment. But few have taken it.

One of the government's motives in trying to regularize Syrians is that Turks have been worried about having their wages undercut.

"There was a public concern that Turkish people would be unemployed because of the Syrians being employed with lower fees [wages]," says labor lawyer Mehmet Ata Sarikaripoglu. "We see what happened in Europe, and how the politics in Europe has changed after that."

Fearing a political backlash, Turkey started a program in January 2016 to increase work permits for refugees. The government also now requires companies to give Syrians the same pay and benefits as Turks. But the rollout has been slow.

Integrating Syrians is political, too. They tend to be more religious and conservative than many Turks - and they tend to support Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He's floated the idea of offering them Turkish citizenship, but that has prompted a backlash from some opposition parties and more secular Turks.

At an Istanbul municipal office, long lines of Syrians snake across the lobby. People are registering for Turkish ID cards and health care, and signing up their children for public schools - all services they get for free as refugees.

One man yells and shakes with frustration. He says bureaucrats keep telling him to come back tomorrow. Turkey's social services are overloaded with newcomers like himself, he says.

Behind the lobby's front desk, Yahiya Osman helps Syrians register for ID cards and health care. He's a Syrian refugee himself and has worked here for four years - even though he got a work permit only two weeks ago.

"It makes me eligible for private health insurance, a pension and workers' compensation," says Osman, 33. "You've got to think ahead. We're not sure what's going to happen in Syria. We might have to stay here in Turkey forever."

But Turkish government statistics show out of the 3 million Syrians here, fewer than 14,000 had work permits by January - a year into the program.

"It's a very exhausting procedure," says Sule Akarsu, who manages a charity that teaches Syrian refugees how to do bricklaying and other construction work.

Her work is dedicated to helping Syrian refugees. Yet even she has not applied for work permits for her Syrian staff.

"It takes nearly three months to get permission for the Syrians," she says. "It's also difficult for Turkish industry, doing all these procedures."

Only companies can apply for these permits, not employees, and they must pay monthly social security for each worker - even if it's a Syrian who doesn't plan to stay in Turkey long-term. Some employers say it's not worth the hassle and expense.

There are questions about how much Turkey's government really wants to implement this policy. It has threatened to fine companies that hire Syrians without permits. But the fines are rarely enforced.

At an Istanbul cafe, Adnan Hadad, another Syrian, says it's not just the bureaucracy that slows things down. He's dragged his feet, too. When he arrived four years ago, he thought he'd be in Turkey "a couple of years," he says.

"But the Syrian war, and how it eventually evolved, made me realize I'll be here a lot longer," Hadad says.

He still dreams of growing old back home in Syria. But for now, he's starting in on some Turkish paperwork.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
For Syrian Refugees In Turkey, A Long Road To Regular Employment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In a neighborhood of Istanbul that's plastered with Arabic signs, a Syrian refugee whips up his specialty - avocado cream smoothies - at the small, colorful cafe where he works. Majd al-Hassan has been in Turkey for two years, but has yet to learn much Turkish. He doesn't need to.

# data[].attributes.body
The Administration for Children and Families (2016) has a branch for refugees called the office of refugee resettlement. Their website has resources for refugees and their families, including employment resources. The website has webinars, and other sheets giving information regarding re-certification for professionals, older workers, and disability for those who qualify.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Refugees seeking employment in the United States can face many difficulties ranging from understanding hiring processes, to needing new certifications and credentials, to discrimination. The following resources provide information on how to address these difficulties.

Recertification/Re-credentialing of Refugee Professionals
Recertification or re-credentialing will allow internationally trained refugee professionals to return to their career of interest upon resettling in the U.S. However, becoming recertified in a regulated occupation requires significant financial, emotional, and time commitment.

Department of Labor Fact Sheets
This page provides links to programs and resources from the Department of Labor.

Older Workers/Disability Unit - Overview
The Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Disabilities Team in the Older Workers/Disabilities Unit develops and implements workforce disability policy and program initiatives to address structural, programmatic, and systemic employment barriers for people with disabilities.
Webinars
Models of Collaboration Between Workforce Investment and Refugee Resettlement Stakeholders - October 22, 2014 (PDF)
Webinar Recording | Transcript
In October 2014, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) presented a webinar featuring each of the organizations featured in the "Models of Collaboration between Workforce Investment and Refugee Resettlement Stakeholders" report. Published by ORR with input from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, the report highlights three models of collaboration to support refugees in finding employment. Each model contains elements that could be replicated in any number of settings throughout the country. The Webinar featured the following programs:

International Institute of St. Louis;

Utah Department of Workforce Services; and

Sacramento Employment and Training Agency.

Representatives from each organization participated in a discussion highlighting how they help refugees find employment and work towards self-sufficiency.

Preparing Refugees for Employment: The ABC's of Understanding the American Workplace - Resources, Tools, and Programs - September 16, 2014
Webinar Recording
On Tuesday, September 16th, the Office of Refugee Resettlement hosted the "Preparing Refugees for Employment: The ABC's of Understanding the American Workplace - Resources, Tools, and Programs" Webinar. Speakers provided multiple strategies to refugee agencies and programs that support refugees that are navigating and accessing employment and career pathway opportunities. Presenters outlined their program initiatives, how they collaborate across agencies and organizations to best support refugees that are navigating employment/career pathway opportunities, as well as how they work with employers and communities in welcoming refugees. Presenters included:

Katherine Dachtler, Grand Forks sub-office Resettlement Coordinator, Lutheran Social Services New Americans

Tara Wolfson, Employment and Training Program Manager, Idaho Office for Refugees

Lisa Cooper, Co-founder and Consultant, Global Talent Idaho

Toni Richardson, Employment Specialist, International Rescue Committee

Understanding Labor Market Information - For Agencies/Programs Serving Refugees - July 10, 2014 (PDF)
​ Webinar Recording
The Office of Refugee Resettlement hosted a webinar called "Understanding Labor Market Information - For Agencies/Programs Serving Refugees" on Thursday, July 10, 2014. There is a wealth of publicly available labor market information and data that refugee agencies and programs can strategically use to enhance the employment and career pathway opportunities for refugees. However, many agencies and programs may not be aware of the labor market navigation and information resources available in their states or local areas. This webinar discussed how to navigate these resources, and how agencies and program staff that serve refugees can help their clients better understand the education and employment resources available to them.

Supporting Workplace Success for Refugees: How Workforce Agencies Can Collaborate with Refugee Programs - June 12, 2014 (PDF)
The Office of Refugee Resettlement hosted the "Supporting Workplace Success for Refugees: How Workforce Agencies Can Collaborate with Refugee Programs" webinar on Thursday, June 12. Every year, the United States welcomes more refugees than any other country in the world. These refugees typically have a strong work ethic and sense of loyalty that employers find valuable. However, connecting refugees and employers often requires multiple service providers to work together. This webinar highlighted opportunities for workforce agencies, refugee programs, and refugees themselves to collaborate on strong employment outcomes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Refugees seeking employment in the United States can face many difficulties ranging from understanding hiring processes, to needing new certifications and credentials, to discrimination. The following resources provide information on how to address these difficulties. Recertification/Re-credentialing of Refugee Professionals Recertification or re-credentialing will allow internationally trained refugee professionals to return to their career of interest upon resettling in the U.S.

# data[].attributes.body
While there appear to be many resources for the Syrian refugee population, there are still so many who go without support.

# data[].attributes.headline
Organizations working to help improve health care access for refugees.

# data[].attributes.subject
Organizations working to help improve health care access for refugees.

# data[].attributes.body
McNeedly and Morland (2016) open their article pointing out that there are almost 2 million Syrian Refugees in Turkey and a promise from America to admit an additional 10,000 to the current 2,000 refugees in the States. New Arrivals Working Group, based in Seattle, WA, and Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative are two organizations that strive to bring affordable health care to refugees. The authors make the argument that after we navigate the health care system for refugees, it will benefit America as a whole, making it easier for everyone to access health care.

# data[].attributes.body
RCJP is a Canadian non-profit currently focused on supporting the Syrian Refugees (What we do, 2016). They believe that by investing in the parents and aiding them to get jobs to support their families, their children will be the future of the economy.

# data[].attributes.body
Mercy Corps (2017) supports refugees from Syria to find employment while living in Turkey. Their web page reports that the count of Syrian refugees was closer to 3 million.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The context

The war in Syria has forced more than 2.8 million refugees into neighboring Turkey. The overwhelming majority of these refugees live outside of camps, in urban areas of the country. This huge influx of Syrian refugees has overwhelmed host communities and national structures, causing increasing tensions.

The strain on resources and effect on both wages and housing prices contributes to tensions between refugee and host communities. The language barrier between Syrian refugees and Turkish hosts exacerbates misconceptions between the two populations.

Our work

Children & youth: Connecting young Syrian refugees with their host community peers through joint activities

Women & gender: Helping adolescent girls develop a peer support network through storytelling, social media, and life skills training

Economic opportunity: Assessing markets to identify opportunities for local businesses to become positive players in the urban-refugee response; increasing access to job training, housing and education for vulnerable refugees

Conflict & governance: Working in close partnership with local civil society organizations and local authorities to meet the needs of vulnerable Syrian and Turkish families

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The war in Syria has forced more than 2.8 million refugees into neighboring Turkey. The overwhelming majority of these refugees live outside of camps, in urban areas of the country. This huge influx of Syrian refugees has overwhelmed host communities and national structures, causing increasing tensions.

# data[].attributes.body
According to Karaman and Ricard (2016) most mental health in Turkey (where most of the refugees are located) is very different than in the USA. Mental health is closely associated with other physical health and people access counseling through doctor's or psychiatrists. Many Refugees reported feeling judged by the professional they were doing counseling with.

# data[].attributes.body
A study was conducted by Acartuk, et al. (2016) to gage the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for Syrian refugees with symptoms of PTSD residing in refugee camps. The authors found that PTSD symptoms were significantly reduced using the EMDR interventions when compared to the control group. The article goes into detail about different ways of implementing EMDR and which approaches appear to be most effective.

# data[].attributes.body
SAMH (Syrian Association for Mental Health) is an independent Syrian scientific association made up of psychiatry, psychology and clinical social services professionals. SAMH is working to provide mental health resources and trainings for emotional, social, and spiritual support to the people living in Arab nations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Syrian Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The escalating war in Syria has brought with it the significant deterioration of all aspects of life for its citizens, particularly in the area of psychosocial factors. It had also been noticed that there was an acute shortage of organized mental health professionals; these two factors were the catalyst for the formation of the Syrian Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

# data[].attributes.headline
Mental health Disorders common among Syrian Refugees

# data[].attributes.subject
Mental health Disorders common among Syrian Refugees

# data[].attributes.body
Karaman and Ricard (2016) described the mental health needs of Syrian refugees as including generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder among other disorders. The Turkish government focused mostly on meeting basic needs and security, but have been pursuing other counseling support. The authors also discuss the barriers and challenges for counseling. One being the cultural differences between the Turkish and Syrian people along with the differing of language