Frequency: 1x a week for 2 hours 

Group size: 15 participants, 3 participants to every 3 OTPs in session .

Session 1: Orientation and Cultural Adjustment

• Welcome and Introductions: Ice-breaker activities to help participants get to know each other and build trust.

• Overview of occupational therapy: Explanation of what OT is and how we can help in their daily lives  and discussion of the specific services that we provide and overview of the sessions 

• Q & A sessions: open forum for all participants to ask question about the session and what they are looking for out of are session and most challenging aspects of being and immigrant and how we can help 

Session 2: Navigating Community Resources

• Information Session: Overview of local resources such as healthcare, public transportation, and legal services.

• Role-Playing: Simulations to practice using public services and interacting with service providers.

• Community Mapping: Creating a visual map of important community locations and resources.

Session 3: Health and Well-being

• Health Education: Workshops on preventive health practices, nutrition, and accessing healthcare services.

• Physical Activity: Introduction to simple exercises and activities that promote physical health and well-being.

• Mental Health Support: Discussions on coping strategies for stress, trauma, and mental health resources.

Session 4: Employment and Financial Stability

• Job Readiness Training: Resume writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

• Financial Literacy: Basics of budgeting, banking, and managing finances.

Session 5: Literacy and Education

• Language and Literacy Classes: Continued language instruction tailored to the needs of participants.

• Educational Opportunities: Information on local educational programs, schools, and vocational training.

  
  

Session 6: Building Social Networks

• Support Groups: Facilitating group discussions where participants can share experiences and support each other.

• Community Events: Planning and participating in local events to foster social connections.

• Mentorship Programs: Pairing participants with local mentors for ongoing support and guidance.

Session 7: Legal and Social Services

• Legal Rights Workshop: Information on legal rights, immigration processes, and accessing legal aid.

• Social Services Navigation: Guidance on accessing housing, public assistance, and other social services.

• Case Studies: Real-life scenarios to practice problem-solving and navigating bureaucratic systems.

Session 8: Celebration and Reflection

• Review and Feedback: Reflecting on what has been learned and achieved throughout the sessions.

• Celebration Event: A community celebration to acknowledge the progress and build lasting connections.

• Future Planning: Discussing next steps, ongoing support, and how participants can continue to engage with the community.

• Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) can play a role in advocating for broader systemic changes that support the health and well-being of immigrants and refugees. This includes participating in policy discussions, contributing to public awareness campaigns, and engaging in research that highlights the specific needs of these populations 

• Advocating for OTPs to become education on cultural difference their clients to ensure they are providing the most inclusive and effective care.

Cultural Competence Workshops: Providing refugees with cultural competence workshops can help them understand and adapt to the cultural norms and values of the host community. These workshops can cover topics such as local customs, social norms, and everyday practices.

Literacy Improvement Programs: Long-term literacy programs can significantly improve the reading and writing skills of refugees. Continuous education tailored to different age groups can help both children and adults achieve higher literacy levels, which are critical for their overall integration and success in society

Improved well-being Mental Health Benefits: Long-term engagement in meaningful activities and social integration to improve the mental health of refugees, reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and etc. Providing access to consistent mental health support and community networks

Im, H., & Swan, L. E. T. (2022). “We Learn and Teach Each Other”: Interactive Training for Cross-Cultural Trauma-Informed Care in the Refugee Community. Community Mental Health Journal, 58(5), 917–929. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00899-2

Mrabe, K. (2021). Exploring the role of occupational therapy and refugees. OccupationalTherapy.com. https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/articles/exploring-role-occupational-therapy-and-5457

TOTFadm1917. (2021, January 30). Grants. https://texasotf.org/grants

Facilitators: 

• Utilize partnerships with accredited occupational therapy programs for students participation 

• Local health professionals in the community (social workers, psychologist, primary health providers, specialist on government programs) 

  • These individuals will give mini presentations on their individual roles and responsibilities on how they can help ease transition and will provide contact information at the end

• Consumers: Immigrants & Refugees

Location: Will vary among different community centers in large meeting rooms based on reservation (Public libraries, city hall, or surrounding area) 

• Program will utilize a longstanding website to keep followers informed 

• The program will utilize onsite facility safety kits

• Program will utilize fliers within the used facility, social media, and post in variety of public places

• Will provide attendees with “a welcome pack” including the following: 

  • 1 notebook, a pen, and a information brochure of community resources

  • The program will start with 30 of each 

Financial: 

• Utilize TOTF research grants based in Texas ($5,000 for the first 6 months) (TOTFadm1917, 2021)

• Donations from the community to assist with any additional cost

• Self confidence to obtain support in services around the community 

• Support in trauma exposure, post migration stressors on health, and decrease discrimination bias from OTPs  

• Increased understanding of individual backgrounds and building trust amongst the community members around

• Increased knowledge of health services and what the community has to provide to the members 

• Completion of 1 session per month for a total of six months 

• Participants will complete tasks outlined at the beginning of program they wish to achieve prior to end date (at least 5 goals) 

• Participants will need to complete at least 75% of personal goals outlined