Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program

Who We Are

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops department of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) is largest refugee resettlement agency in the world, and is a leader among non-governmental agencies in addressing the needs of children forced to flee their homes, and other vulnerable people caught up in the migration phenomenon in the United States. MRS employs a specialized team of experts to oversee its Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program within its Children's Services Division.  With support from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, State, and Homeland Security, MRS works through a national network of 12 state licensed Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) foster care programs for the on-going care of unaccompanied children. Most of these programs are administered through Catholic Charities agencies. 

Who We Serve

What We Do

Through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) program, children are predominantly placed in foster homes, but there are other living arrangements available, including group care or supervised independent living arrangements for older youth. 

To ensure that the best interests of the above populations are considered and protected, our national network provides the following services:

MRS Children's Services Foster Care Staff

• Review all cases for the best placements within the national network.

• Refer cases to a URM foster care program that can best meet the child's needs.

• Provide technical assistance to the URM programs regarding specific cases, potential populations and programmatic issues.

• Provide on-site guidance and develop capacity to expand placement options and ensure quality care for future URM cases.

• Provide national case management oversight and monitoring of certain cases.

• Represent the URM program network within inter-agency working groups addressing the needs of unaccompanied children.

URM Programs

• Train foster families with cross-cultural experience, interest and sensitivity

• Intensive case management by bilingual, bicultural staff

• Indirect financial support  for necessities like housing and clothing

• Assist with immigration legal services

• Access to health care, including medical care, dental care and mental health services

• Collaborate with schools and human service providers about the needs of foreign-born youth

• Tutoring and mentoring

• Preparation for independent living

• Mentors to provide mature guidance and develop lasting relationships

• Peer support through relationships with other foreign-born foster youth

How You Can Help

Refugee foster care programs are separate from domestic foster care programs in that they have been developed by agencies with expertise in working with refugees.  Foster families are oriented towards the particular needs of refugee youth.  Contact Children's Services for more information using the Contact Us form at the upper right.

Learn More about Foreign-Born Children in Foster Care

A Portrait of Foreign-Born Children in Federal Foster Care and How to Best Meet Their Needs - December 2012

Immigration Relief for Children in Federal Foster Care Before and After TVPRA 2008 - December 2012

DONATE NOW!

Help our Foster Care program by making a tax-deductible contribution.

If you are in New York, Florida, or Washington, DC, make your donation online.  Residents of other states should visit the National Catholic Fund for Migration and Refugee Services.