PC Supplemental Follow-Up

Thank you for joining last week's APA network call to discuss PC Supplemental Funding. Several of you asked if the PC supplemental could support housing for cases that are reaching the end of their MG service period and do not have sufficient MG funds to cover their housing related expenses. After checking with ORR, USCCB can confirm that housing direct assistance for MG clients is allowable under the PC supplemental if a reasonable amount of MG direct assistance funding has already been spent on housing expenses for the cases. Additionally, all sites must ensure no duplication in services and consult with the SRCs to ensure that the state does not have other housing support programs.

Note: PC supplemental funds issued to clients cannot be counted as employment income when making self-sufficiency determinations for MG cases

Please see two ORR policy letters referenced on the call that can provide additional information on allowable activities and populations served through the PC Supplemental. The PC Supplemental is being funded by ORR through the Afghan Supplemental Act of 2022 (ASA).

Policy Letter 22-10: Afghan Populations Eligible for ASA-Funded ORR Services

Policy Letter 22-11: Immigration Related Legal Assistance Allowable Under ORR ASA Funding (note, updated by ORR on 5/6 and not posted to their website yet) 

APA Phase II Funding Update 

USCCB has received preliminary planning figures from PRM for Phase II of APA. USCCB is currently updating affiliate award letters to include funding for the remainder of the APA program through September 30, 2022. As soon as USCCB receives the updated award from PRM, affiliate award letters will be distributed to Resettlement and Executive Directors. 

APA Additional Direct Assistance Expense Reports

APA Additional Direct Assistance (ADA) expense reports for reimbursements tied to calendar year 2021, must be submitted to ClientEmergencyFunding@usccb.org ASAP. USCCB Accounting needs to process any reimbursements tied to the previous calendar year for APA including the additional ADA. 

APA and R&P Comparison Chart

In an effort to help affiliate staff transition to working more with R&P cases after months of mostly APA arrivals, USCCB has created a resource highlighting the differences between the APA and R&P program requirements. This comparison chart allows for quick reference of the differences between the programs to help local staff save time and readjust to the stricter R&P requirements.

Reminder: May 2022 APA Housing Survey – Complete in OneDrive by

today, May 9th 

If you have resettled APA clients, please complete the May tab of your “APA Monthly Housing Survey” in OneDrive by Monday, May 9th. Note that the “Instructions” tab has been updated, and four new questions have been added to the May 2022 survey – the new questions are: 

• the number of APA clients who have received assistance accessing immigration legal services; 
• the number of APA clients who have reached the end of their APA period;  
• the number of APA clients who are employable OAW Afghan individuals; and  
• the number of employable OAW Afghan individuals who are employed. 

If your team has questions about how to complete the APA monthly housing survey, please send questions to sevans@usccb.org 

APA Legal Resource Library is LIVE! 

• Website: Brycs.org/APAlegal 
• Topics include: Introductions & advanced training materials on SIV, Asylum, and Family Reunification; materials in Dari and Pashto; resources for finding legal representation, guidance on documentation, and more. 
• Audiences: Resettlement agencies, legal practitioners, and clients 

Afghan Legal Service Provision Roundtable: Operational Strategies 

Date and Time: Friday, May 13th at 12-1:30pm EST 

Target Audience: Resettlement and Legal Service Directors 

Please register for the roundtable here 

As offices work to expand staffing capacity to serve Afghan clients’ legal needs, USCCB is excited to present a roundtable presentation featuring three local resettlement agencies who will share best practices on legal operational strategies and considerations for building staff capacity. Learning objectives will cover strategies on:  

• Pro bono outreach and coordination  
• In-house application services for SIV and Asylum cases 
• Building staff capacity for both small and large legal services departments