4 Ways to Empower Your Organization to Address the Refugee Crisis

Refugees can’t wait. Experts predict that the number of refugees coming to the U.S. will increase dramatically in 2021. CNN reported in February that President Biden signed an executive order to restore the U.S. refugee admissions program to help meet the unprecedented global need. If approved, the refugee admission cap will increase from 15,000 to 125,000 annually. 

In addition, CBS reports that the Biden administration has made a funding request to Congress, asking for billions to address issues many refugees face. Help is coming, and this is good news for refugees in the U.S. and the organizations that exist to serve them. 

Is your organization set up to meet the growing demand and secure the funding government programs will provide? 

Keep reading for four ways to empower your organization’s readiness and learn what you can do now to enable your organization to better help refugees who are ready for a new life today. 

1. Utilize an online intake system with multi-language configurations

You can’t add more hours to your day, but you can reduce your hours spent on manual processes. Manual data entry often takes nonprofit staff hours to do, which takes away from where they want to be—working directly with refugees in need. And because you are likely working with immigrants whose first language isn’t English, you want to ensure your systems allow multi-language configurations for seamless and quick program admissions. This enables fast language translations, as well as self-sufficiency for incoming participants.   

2. Manage all services in one platform– basic need, housing, counseling, education + more

People don’t live single-issue lives, so we can’t use single-issue solutions. A person or family coming to the U.S. for asylum will likely need several services to help them get settled. Your system should support coordinated care around all of the services provided to ensure people are served most effectively and nothing or no one falls through the cracks. 

3. Stay agile with easy-to-adapt tools, such as drag + drop forms and reports

Solving new and urgent problems is not business as usual, and your organization will not have everything in final form on day one. Flexibility is key to ensuring you are flexible enough to adjust along the way. Your systems should empower your program leaders to quickly make changes to your data collection without complex coding or expensive professional services so you can collect what’s needed and report on what’s requested while continuing to keep up with increased demand. 

4. Opt for a rapid implementation plan to start tracking data now 

If your systems aren’t supporting your clients, and ultimately your mission, it may be difficult to keep up with demand. Be sure you are collecting data now and can quickly pull reports so you can act accordingly to Congress’ refugee response. Many database solutions can take six months to a year before they are ready to begin collecting information from the frontlines. But refugees cannot wait, and funders will want to see the impact of their investments from day 1. 

Empower your organization today 

Refugees need our help now, and we understand that you can’t wait months to start collecting data in the current crisis. Social Solutions’ Apricot 360 technology supports refugee services across the country that need to rapidly launch new programs or greatly increase capacity in order to meet the demand.   

Our rapid deployment model gets you up and running in days and fully functional in weeks so that nothing slips through the cracks while you are gearing up for increased servicing and funding. This allows your staff to stay focused on trauma-informed care and outcomes instead of spreadsheets and funder requirements.  

Social Solutions empowers your staff with a 360-degree view of everything needed to ensure the people you help are getting the assistance many have been waiting for. Our online intake forms can be created in an unlimited number of languages that all direct back to the same coordinated intake fields. And you can seamlessly make changes in your data collection using a simple drag and drop interface. Apricot 360 has built-in best practices, so you can utilize leading logic models and ensure you’re tracking all the information you will need down the line for reporting.

The right technology can empower you to help participants now. The bright future they envisioned can have a fresh start with the hope your organization’s support ignites.   

Don’t wait. See what Apricot 360 can do and learn how you can leverage it to make a bigger impact for the people you serve. Schedule a demo today.