Fiscal Committee Approves $1.14 Million For Refugee Programs

By Amanda Gokee, New Hampshire Bulletin

The Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee on Friday approved $1.14 million in federal funding for refugee programs, including job development and placement, as well as new programs for Afghan refugees.

The money would fund ongoing programs, as well as four new programs, including a mental health initiative and three programs specific to Afghan refugees: a school impact program, a health promotion program, and social services. The money is meant to help refugees become self-sufficient “at the earliest date possible” through initiatives like job development and placement, education, and training, as well as transportation and interpretation, according to the Department of Health and Human Services’ request. Afghan refugees began arriving in New Hampshire in November; as of early January, around 150 had arrived in the state as a part of efforts to resettle about 70,000 across the country by February.

The vote in favor of the funding was 8-2, with Rep. Jess Edwards, an Auburn Republican, and Sen. Bob Giuda, a Warren Republican, voting against the request.

“I have received considerable expressions of concern for the housing of illegals coming into the state,” Giuda said during the committee meeting on Friday. “I want to know if you subcontract with housing agencies and NGOs, and if you in any way inquire as to whether or not they are dealing with the alleged illegal population that’s being brought into the state.”

Ann Landry, associate commissioner of Health and Human Services, said the funding goes strictly toward resettling refugees who arrive legally through the resettlement program.

Edwards – who said he is “extremely familiar” with Afghan culture – raised a concern about whether gender-segregated trainings would be held for Afghan men and women. “I don’t want to go too far, but I will say that Afghan men tend to have an 18th- (or) 17th-century view of women, and training them in the same setting can be extremely problematic and inadequate to bring the Afghani women into our culture rapidly,” said Edwards.

Landry said the trainings are not traditionally segregated, except programs that would raise a health, mental health, or cultural issue.

The money comes from the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and will bring the total budget to $3.29 million, as $2.14 million has already been authorized, according to the Department of Health and Human Services’ request.

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