Request for Proposals: 2025-2026 Refugee School Impact Program

Click here to apply

Timeline

  • May 28, 2025 10:00 AM–11:00 AM: Optional Virtual Information Session. Click here to register.
  • June 4, 2025: Recording of the optional virtual information session made available on this page.
  • June 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM: Proposals are due. Click here to apply.
  • July 31, 2025: Tentative notification from SOWA to districts.
  • October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026: Anticipated funding period for projects.

Program Priorities and Services

“The central goals of the Refugee School Impact (RSI) program are to strengthen academic performance and facilitate social adjustment of school-age refugees. Funding must be directed to localities with fewer resources and/or a high concentration of newly arrived [Office of Refugee Resettlement] ORR-served youth in the local schools. Services may be provided to ORR-served youth within the first five years of their arrival, but youth who have been in the United States for one year or less should be a priority.” -ORR Refugee School Impact Social Services Set-Aside

Allowable activities must be aligned with the intent and purpose of the RSI. The following approaches may be designed for services that meet the goals of the RSI program.

  • Broad partnerships focused on newly arriving ORR-served youth to ensure coordination for effective planning and successful program implementation while avoiding duplication of services, such as partnerships with state school officials, resettlement agencies, health and mental health providers, community- and faith-based organizations, and other local service providers.
  • Culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, such as special curricula or activities, translation services, and interpreter services.
  • Flexible scheduling during and outside school hours, such as after-school classes, weekend tutorials, and online assistance.
  • Specialized approaches suited for newly arriving ORR-served populations, such as cultural orientation, refugee parents/teacher meetings, and school orientation.
  • Programming that supports the integration of ORR-served youth into school systems, such as English Language Learner (ELL) sessions, mentoring, and group activities.
  • Attention to measurable academic performance, such as high school graduation rates, accomplishment of required course work on a timely basis, and improved academic performance levels.

Sub-Grant Goals

  • To ensure refugee students’ high academic performance and successful school integration.
  • To strengthen the skills, knowledge, and competence of refugee parents, schools, and community-based organizations to support refugee students.

Eligible Beneficiaries

Participants eligible for this program include Washington state residents who:

  1. Have legally resided in the U.S. less than 60 months and are not yet a U.S. citizen; and
  2. Are currently a school-age child (Kindergarten–12th grade), enrolled in an equivalent GED program, or will start kindergarten in the fall (hence is served the summer directly preceding the fall of kindergarten enrollment) or the parent of a school-age child; and
  3. Provide acceptable documentation of any of the following immigration statuses:
  • Refugee
  • Asylee (meaning asylum was approved and is not pending immigration proceedings)
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrant
  • Amerasian
  • Certified Victims of Trafficking
  • Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holder (and their eligible family members)
  • Afghan Humanitarian Parolee, must have a valid/current parole to enroll in new programming and were paroled into the U.S. during these dates:
    • Afghans who were paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023.
    • Afghans who were paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023 ONLY IF they are:
      • A spouse or child of an Afghan Humanitarian Parolee who was paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023,
        OR
      • A parent or legal guardian of an Afghan Humanitarian Parolee who is an unaccompanied child and was paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023.
  • Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee (UHP) must have a valid/current parole to enroll in new programming*(See Note Below) and were paroled into the U.S. during these dates:
    • Ukrainians or non-Ukrainians who last habitually resided in Ukraine and who were paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2024.
    • Ukrainians who were paroled into the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2024, ONLY IF they are:
      • A spouse or child of an Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee who was paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2024,
        OR
      • A parent or legal guardian or primary caregiver of an Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee who is an unaccompanied child and was paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2024.
  • Other populations made eligible by ORR

*NOTE Regarding Ukrainian Re-Parole

A UHP must have a current/valid Humanitarian Parole to enroll in new programming. If the grantee intends to continue services after the parole expires the grantee is required to:

  1. Ensure the client has filed their re-parole application at least 1 day prior to the expiration. Documentation of this must be kept on file. If the client has not applied for re-parole, they can no longer participate in programming.
  2. The grantee must reverify that the client is approved for re-parole. This verification should take place no later than 3 months after expiration of the client’s initial parole period. Documentation must be kept on file.
    • If the client’s re-parole is still pending after 3 months, reach out to SOWA with the case details so the case can be elevated to ORIA.
    • If re-parole was denied and the client does not have another eligible status (such as asylum) the client must be exited from programming.

Sub-Grant Applicants

Only school districts in Washington state may submit a proposal. If providing student services, districts are required to partner with at least one community-based organization.

Funding Priorities

Proposals should include student activities, parent engagement and/or professional development activities. School orientations for students and parents are also allowable.

In general, proposals should include direct student services. New or small districts are exempt from this requirement and may propose only professional development or only parent engagement activities. Each district proposing student activities must serve at least 20 unduplicated students or more. While the priority is to serve refugees in the U.S. less than one year, districts may serve students who have been in the U.S. less than five years.

Funding Requirements

Funded grantees will be required to collect data and submit reports to meet ORR Refugee School Impact requirements and comply with federal regulations. If proposing student services, grantees must provide individualized student demographic data and submit English Language Proficiency Assessment data. If proposing student or parent activities, grantees must collect and submit copies of immigration documentation verifying that participants are eligible for refugee services.

Funding Restrictions

Grant funds cannot be used for native language instruction, participant stipends, college application fees, driver’s license or permit fees, parents’ English classes or job search activities, case management and resource/referral services related to families’ basic needs, construction and renovation, or to supplant other federal, state, local or private funds available to assist refugee students. Administrative costs are limited to 15% or your district’s federally approved indirect rate.

Funding Availability

Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services’ Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) anticipates the availability of approximately $3.1 million for 13-20 sub-grants with Refugee School Impact funds. Grant funding from School’s Out Washington (SOWA) is contingent upon SOWA receiving a 2025-2026 contract from ORIA for Program Administration of the Refugee School Impact Program.

Questions

Please contact Pang Chang at pchang@schoolsoutwashington.org.

Quick links