3rd Annual Summit on School Climate and Culture

In partnership with the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa, agencies will share tips for working with refugees. Discussion will focus on how to partner with outside agencies to meet the higher needs of refugee populations. Resources of support will be shared including organizations that participate with Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa. Effective uses of Releases of Information will be discussed. How to access and utilize interpreters will also be discussed. There will be a small group activity with case examples from schools and solutions will be shared with the larger group. Family engagement ideas will be shared by Community School Coordinator, Lesley Christensen including Culture Night and M.O.M.S. groups as examples. Attendees will walk away with connections to agencies and organization that serve refugees and will understand how to refer families; a developed understanding of how to communicate with refugee families and identify unmet needs and activities to implement at schools to increase a sense of belonging of refugee families.