Utah's refugee advocates optimistic

The jobs of Utah's refugee advocates just got a lot easier.

An executive order from Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. created an Office of Refugee Services in February, and a bill passed by the Legislature granted that office $200,000 in ongoing funding as well as the right to create a fund for donations.

"This is a tremendous step forward, a real milestone," said Palmer DePaulis, executive director of the department of community and culture. "It's a new day and we have high expectations and hopes."

DePaulis, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, and the new office's director, Gerald Brown, met with representatives of Utah's refugee organizations Friday night at the county building to discuss the mission of the office. He also invited members of the former Refugee Working Group to apply for spots on the soon-to-be created 15-person advisory board.

The office needed to be created, DePaulis said, because of "structural gaps and barriers to successful refugee resettlement." The former Refugee Working Group was funded with federal money and was overseen by the state's Department of Workforce Services. The funding was never enough, Brown said, and the creation of the office will facilitate cooperation with state and county leaders without losing the federal money or disrupting the program's position under Workforce Services.

The Legislature was initially hesitant to grant funding, but the governor insisted, DePaulis said. His executive order implemented everything they had requested.

The stronger organization, greater visibility and legislative funding will allow the people who assist refugees to provide more and better-coordinated services, DePaulis said.

Corroon said he contacted all his department heads since the change, requesting them to think of ways to better serve the needs of the county's refugees.

"It takes help from government agencies and communities as a whole to give them the opportunity to be part of the American dream," he said.

The advisory board will create subcommittees to "provide service coordination, accountability, advocacy and resource development." By order, the board will consist of representatives from state departments of Human Services, Health and Education, as well as the county government, the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Community Services, the low-income housing community, the social services community, the refugee mutual assistance associations and others selected by the governor.

The ability to have a fund for donations is important, Brown said, because there hasn't been any way to coordinate requests. Each agency involved could seek them, but now the new office will be able to act on behalf of everyone who assists refugees in bringing their needs to the community's attention.

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