Refugee Health Promotion Program Transitions to Refugee Support Services Set-Aside Program - Policy Letter 20-05

Sep 16, 2026

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Policy Letter 20-05 explains the transition of the Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) program into the Refugee Support Services (RSS) set-aside program. The change follows Policy Letter 18-04 and takes effect after the current project period ends August 14, 2020. The letter details RHP goals, required scope, eligible populations, and expected program activities, including health literacy, health care coordination, and wellness groups. It also sets SMART outcome requirements and reporting, monitoring, and planning guidance for grantees.

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Policy Letter 20-05

Program Goal and Scope of Services

Program Activities

Health Education Classes and Targeted Health Outreach to Individuals

Medical and Mental Health Navigation and Support

Adjustment Groups, Skill-Building Networks, and Peer Support Meetings

Implementation Guidelines for Group and Individual-Level Activities

Refugee Health Promotion Program Transitions to Refugee Support Services Set-Aside Program Policy Letter 20-05 Date: June 1, 2020 This policy letter describes a new Refugee Support Services (RSS) set-aside program, the Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) program. As announced in Policy Letter 18-04, RHP will transition from a competitive discretionary grant to part of the formula-based RSS program. This change will take effect after the current project period ends on August 14, 2020. This policy letter outlines the RHP program goal and scope of services, program activities, eligible populations, and reporting and monitoring expectations. ORR will release supplemental Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs) to announce future funding allocations. Program Goal and Scope of Services The goal of the RHP program is to promote the health and well-being of refugees and other ORR-eligible populations by: 1) providing opportunities to increase health literacy, 2) coordinating health care, and 3) organizing wellness groups. To accomplish this goal, ORR encourages involvement of the Refugee Health Coordinator (RHC) to ensure a coordinated approach for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of RHP activities. Grantees must provide one or more of the three services listed in the above paragraph. Grantees must develop program outcomes that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) . Grantees must ensure RHP services provided to ORR-eligible populations complement, not duplicate, other ORR-funded activities. RHP funds must not be used to supplant services provided under other federal and ORR funding sources (e.g., Medicaid, Cash and Medical Assistance including medical screening, and Preferred Communities) . Program Activities The RHP program should focus on providing direct services for ORR-eligible populations to promote their health, both routinely and during time of crisis (e.g., pandemics) . Activities may include: • Health education classes and targeted health outreach to individuals, • Medical and mental health navigation and support, and • Adjustment groups, skill-building networks, or peer support meetings. Grantees must follow these guidelines when implementing these RHP activities. Administration for Children and [Families |](Families | Office of Refugee Resettlement | ww.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr)[ Office of Refugee Resettlement](Families | Office of Refugee Resettlement | ww.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr)[ | ww.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr](Families | Office of Refugee Resettlement | ww.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr) Health Education Classes and Targeted Health Outreach to Individuals RHP programs providing opportunities to increase health literacy for ORR-eligible populations empower clients to make informed health decisions. Grantees should have a clear strategy for delivering appropriate health topics and selecting the target population, including deciding on group classes versus individual outreach. Grantees should use user-tested or validated curricula and materials if possible. Grantees should provide classes in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Grantees should conduct pre-and post-assessments to gauge the level of knowledge gained by recipients. Medical and Mental Health Navigation and Support RHP programs coordinating health care for the ORR-eligible individuals should provide services to ensure individuals most at-risk are able to navigate and access complex health care systems. Grantees are required to develop a method to identify those most in need of services. Grantees should develop a plan of care (POC) for each client that includes clearly defined and appropriate referrals and access to medical assistance or insurance to sufficiently address the health needs of the individual. POCs must complement any health care plan established by medical professionals for the client; to avoid duplication of activities, such assistance should only be provided where Pref

FAQs

When does the RHP transition to the RSS set-aside program take effect?

The transition takes effect after the current project period ends on August 14, 2020.

What are the core goals of the RHP program under this policy letter?

The program aims to promote health and well-being by increasing health literacy, coordinating health care, and organizing wellness groups for ORR-eligible populations.

What outcomes and service requirements must grantees follow?

Grantees must develop SMART program outcomes and ensure RHP services complement, not duplicate, other ORR-funded activities. RHP funds must not supplant services funded through other federal or ORR sources.

Sep 16, 2026

Upload by Elsa