This episode of the Switchboard Podcast discusses the unique health challenges faced by Afghan women during and post-resettlement. Host Jesse Griggs speaks with Naheed Samadi Bahram, U.S. Country Director for Women for Afghan Women and a technical advisor for the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers. Together, they explore how the healthcare system can better address the physical, mental, and social well-being of Afghan women, from maternal health to mental health stigma and cultural sensitiv...
Jan 09, 2025•25 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of the Switchboard Podcast, "Preparing for the Arrival of High-Risk Medical Cases," we discuss essential strategies for resettlement service providers working with newcomers who have complex medical needs. Janet Kurczaba, Intensive Case Manager Supervisor, shares her expertise on identifying high-risk cases, collaborating with healthcare providers, and navigating challenges such as Medicaid enrollment, access to specialists, and the use of interpretation services. This episode pr...
Jan 02, 2025•26 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of the Switchboard Podcast, "Collaborating with Pediatricians and Families to Care for Newcomer Children," we discuss the unique challenges and best practices in providing healthcare to immigrant and refugee children. Dr. Anisa Ibrahim, a pediatrician and medical director at Harborview Pediatrics Clinic, shares her expertise on navigating the complexities of pediatric care for newcomers. Topics include addressing malnutrition, developmental delays, mental health concerns, and inf...
Dec 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of the Switchboard Podcast, "Culturally Driven Health Communications," we explore the critical role of culturally sensitive health communication in supporting immigrant and refugee communities. Our guest, Syreeta Wilkins, a communication strategist at the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC RIM), shares her expertise on creating impactful health materials tailored to diverse cultural contexts. The episode explores strategies for community engageme...
Dec 30, 2024•25 min•Ep. 25
Led by: Kevin Davis, Sr. Program Officer, Workforce Development IRC PE Guest speaker: Maria Sigalas, Sr. Program Officer, Financial Capabilities IRC PE Recording: August 2024 Episode overview: Finances are a primary concern for many newcomer families. However, newcomer women are often underrepresented in many economic empowerment and financial capabilities programs offered by refugee service providers. What are the factors behind this? This episode aims to look at the challenges that newcomer wo...
Nov 22, 2024•18 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of the Switchboard Podcast's series, "The Role of Technology in Resettlement," we delve into how artificial intelligence (AI) can play a pivotal role in enhancing digital literacy and improving outcomes for newly arrived refugees. Our expert guests share practical insights on integrating AI tools into resettlement programs, exploring how these technologies can help refugees better navigate their new communities and access essential services. The discussion also draws on cross-ind...
Aug 14, 2024•17 min•Ep. 23
Serving clients and providing case management is at the heart of refugee service provision. Providing client-centered services requires more than a certain attitude and an ethical stand; client-centered practices are also a skill set. But what does this term actually mean? What is the logic behind centering the client in our resettlement services, and how do we start to embody that in all our services? This episode aims to simplify and explain what it means to deliver client-centered services an...
Aug 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 22
This podcast offers valuable resources, training, communities of practice, and programmatic assistance to programs funded by ORR and those serving ORR-eligible populations. This is part 2 of 4 digital literacy episodes. In today's episode, host Krysti Nellermoe explores the topic of digital literacy, emphasizing how service providers can help new arrivals develop essential digital literacy skills. The guest for this episode is Leana Mayzlina, who brings her expertise to the discussion. Join the ...
May 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 21
Welcome to the Switchboard Podcast! Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for organizations in the United States that provide services to Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible newcomers. Switchboard offers a library of learning resources, an online evidence database, on-demand self-paced e-learning courses, regular live learning opportunities, and customized technical assistance. This episode features a conversation hosted by Milad Mozari, Assistant Professor of Multi-Disciplinary Desig...
Jan 10, 2024•14 min•Ep. 20
Welcome to the Switchboard Podcast. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. We provide resources, training, communities of practice, and programmatic assistance for programs funded by the ORR. This episode features a conversation with Nao Kabashima, co-founder and Executive Director of Karen Organization of San Diego (KOSD), a community based organization serving refugees from Burma resettled in San ...
Jul 31, 2023•17 min•Ep. 19
Welcome to the Switchboard Podcast. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. We provide resources, training, communities of practice, and programmatic assistance for programs funded by the ORR. This episode features a conversation with Megan Rafferty, Switchboard's training officer with a focus on mental health and wellness, and Selina Máté, Switchboard's digital content manager with a background in c...
Jun 06, 2023•16 min•Ep. 17
Welcome to the Switchboard Podcast. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. We provide resources, trainings, communities of practice, and programmatic assistance for programs funded by the ORR. This episode features a conversation with Rob Callus and Madina Masumi, two of Switchboard's training officers. We discuss ways to support newcomer youth in schools, how schools can become welcoming spaces, an...
Apr 24, 2023•38 min•Ep. 16
Welcome to the Switchboard Podcast. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. We provide resources, trainings, communities of practice, and programmatic assistance for programs funded by the ORR. This episode features a conversation with Meg Gibbon, Switchboard’s program director, about the services that we provide and how ORR-funded programs can rely on Switchboard as their hub.
Mar 20, 2023•12 min•Ep. 15
Jul 07, 2022•30 min•Ep. 14
This two-part podcast series features a conversation between Rishan Habte, Program Officer for Economic Empowerment at Switchboard and Khalid Ahmadzai, Director of Economic Advancement at Canopy Northwest Arkansas. In this episode, they discuss microlending; how participants are selected for the Canopy Northwest entrepreneurship program; success stories; and more!
Dec 21, 2021•45 min•Ep. 13
This two-part podcast series features a conversation between Rishan Habte, Program Officer for Economic Empowerment at Switchboard and Khalid Ahmadzai, Director of Economic Advancement at Canopy Northwest Arkansas. Khalid shares his story of growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan; his own experiences of entrepreneurship; and how he created the existing microlending entrepreneurship program at Canopy.
Dec 21, 2021•38 min•Ep. 12
This episode features host Kay Bellor interviewing Henny Ohr, Founder and Executive Director, Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center (EMBARC) Iowa. They discuss the challenges experienced by EMBARC during the COVID-19 pandemic including providing essential services to clients while protecting staff and how the refugee resettlement program can be improved moving forward. This episode is part three in a new series on Leading During a Transition.
May 24, 2021•34 min•Ep. 11
This episode features host Kay Bellor interviewing Dr. Hayder Allkenhfr, Refugee Health Coordinator at the Utah Department of Health. They discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies used by Dr. Allkenhr and his team to build robust testing infrastructure, equitable access to vaccines, and effective communication approaches. This episode is part two in a new series on Leading During a Transition.
Apr 29, 2021•31 min•Ep. 10
This episode features host Kay Bellor interviewing Hans Van de Weerd, Vice President of Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration at the International Rescue Committee. They discuss challenges of the past few years including the dramatic reduction of the U.S. resettlement program, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continuing reality of racial disparities. This episode is part one in a new series on Leading During a Transition.
Apr 01, 2021•29 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the Switchboard podcast, Kristen Guskovict, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Heart of Aid Work, and Aprile Andelle, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, discuss the importance of self-care for refugee service providers and respond to questions submitted by listeners. They offer advice for those living alone during the pandemic, tips on staying physically active, and how to support clients while also taking care of oneself. This podcast is part two in a three-p...
Jul 06, 2020•18 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of the Switchboard podcast, Kristen Guskovict, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Heart of Aid Work, and Aprile Andelle, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, discuss the importance of self-care for refugee service providers and respond to questions submitted by listeners. They offer advice for those living alone during the pandemic, tips on staying physically active, and how to support clients while also taking care of oneself. This podcast is part two in a three-p...
Jul 06, 2020•18 min•Ep. 8
Are you experiencing increased stress, worry, or burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic? Stream Switchboard's latest podcast, where Kristen Guskovict, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Heart of Aid Work, and Minal Giri, Medical Director of Melrose Park Pediatrics, share how they are feeling during the current situation. They discuss the challenges of connecting with people virtually; how different professional and personal realities directly impact one's experience of lockdown; and co...
May 22, 2020•20 min•Ep. 6
Is your program seeking to increase enrollment among special immigrant visa (SIV) holders, asylees, and other ORR-eligible populations? Stream Switchboard's latest podcast, where Erica Bouris, Senior Technical Advisor for Economic Empowerment at the IRC, discusses ways to boost program enrollment among ORR-eligible clients you may not currently be reaching. She shares her thoughts on developing an outreach strategy that reaches more diverse client groups; describing your program to prospective c...
Jan 21, 2020•14 min•Ep. 5
This Switchboard podcast spotlights Augustin Ntabaganyimana, Executive Deputy Director at the Maryland Department of Human Services. Listen to Augustin share his story about his early life in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, arriving as a refugee in the United States, and his road to becoming a State Refugee Coordinator.
Dec 03, 2019•6 min•Ep. 4
In this podcast, Switchboard Program Officer Margaret Gibbon is joined by Dr. Miriam Potocky, Author and Professor of Social Work at Florida International University, and Kristen Guscovict, Founder of HEART of Aid Work. They discuss motivational interviewing, an evidence-based intervention that can be used in refugee case management programs, and provide examples of how it can be implemented.
Jul 08, 2019•26 min•Ep. 2
In this podcast, Switchboard Director Jason Crislip and Program Officer Margaret Gibbon have a 7-minute discussion about how Switchboard’s national needs assessment survey is informing Switchboard’s work in FY19. To read the full needs assessment report, visit www.switchboardta.org/Resources.
Mar 14, 2019•7 min•Ep. 1
