Preferred Communities (PC) Program

The Preferred Communities (PC) Program provides intensive support to refugees and ORR-eligible individuals with complex needs, including trauma, medical conditions, or other vulnerabilities. Through specialized case management and tailored services, it helps the most vulnerable achieve successful resettlement and integration in the U.S., offering up to one year of support during their first five years.

PC Program

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Your donation to the Preferred Communities (PC) Program helps the most vulnerable refugees—including women at risk, elderly without support, and those with health or trauma challenges—access intensive case management, medical and mental health care, emergency assistance, and social integration support, empowering them to achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and a successful start in the U.S.

Preferred Communities (PC) Program Overview

The Preferred Communities (PC) Program is a U.S. government initiative administered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide intensive support to refugees and other eligible populations with particularly complex needs. The program is designed to help especially vulnerable individuals achieve successful resettlement and integration into American society through specialized, long-term services.

Target Population

The PC Program focuses on refugees and ORR-eligible individuals who face significant challenges that make standard resettlement services insufficient, including:

Individuals with chronic physical or mental health conditions
Women at risk
Elderly refugees without family support
Young adults without permanent guardians
LGBTQI+ individuals
Those experiencing trauma or other vulnerabilities

Services Provided

The program offers comprehensive, intensive case management and other specialized services tailored to the needs of highly vulnerable refugees:

Long-term case management to navigate resettlement challenges
Health and medical interventions for chronic or serious conditions
Mental health support for trauma, emotional distress, or psychological conditions
Social adjustment services to support community integration
Emergency assistance such as financial aid and referrals for urgent needs
Capacity building for service providers to better support vulnerable refugees

Program Duration

Individuals may enroll at any time within their first five years in the U.S.
Services are typically provided for up to one year, with flexibility for those with ongoing or complex needs

Goals

Facilitate the successful resettlement and integration of the most vulnerable refugee populations
Enhance the capacity of service providers to meet complex refugee needs
Address gaps in standard resettlement services and respond to unanticipated arrivals

Eligibility

Individuals:

Refugees and other ORR-eligible populations with challenging or complex needs

Organizations:

ORR-funded entities such as resettlement agencies, non-profits, and government organizations

How the Program Differs from Others

Targets the most vulnerable refugees requiring higher levels of support than standard services
Provides long-term, intensive interventions not typically offered through programs like:
- Services to Older Refugees (SOR)
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
Offers specialized interventions for individuals with medical, psychological, or social vulnerabilities

Key Benefits

Addresses barriers to self-sufficiency and independent living
Supports refugees with severe or complex needs to acclimate to U.S. life
Provides critical interventions for emergency and ongoing needs
Enables strategic placement of vulnerable populations in communities where services and resources are optimized

Zarmina Hamidi, Director of Preferred Communities - Case Management, zarmina@reactdc.org

Erika Philip, Director of Preferred Communities - Clinical Services, erika@reactdc.org

Hosay Sadat, Preferred Communities Program Coordinator, hosay@reactdc.org