Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc.
in partnership with the Department of Children and
Families, Refugee Services sponsored a 1-day conference:
Adapting to a Changing World: Promising Practices in the
Acculturation Process for Refugees in Miami, Florida
on January 28th, 2009.Renowned national experts on refugee
immigration, mental health, education and social services
presented.
Florida has a long history of welcoming
refugees. Upon arrival in the United States refugees and
asylees seek to create a new life in our country through
the process of acculturation. The transition process for
New Americans is filled with many challenges - language
barriers, employment, education, trying to understand a
new culture while maintaining their own, to name a few, as
they adapt to their new life in the United States.
The conference explored refugee
services and other social services that play a critical
role in the successful acculturation process. By working
together, we hoped to develop models, methods and
collaborations that will help empower refugees to make a
smoother transition into their new world with greater
access to the services and supports they need.
