Alameda County Social Services Agency - Refugee Supportive Services - Approved
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We provide employment services, Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) classes and help with social adjustment.
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Sun Wee Yun
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02-03-2017
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05-08-2024
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12-01-2025
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How To Contact
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Thomas L. Berkley Square (North Oakland)
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2000 San Pablo Ave
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Oakland
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CA
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More Information
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12-27-2021
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12-30-2025
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free
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0.00
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Alameda County Social Services Agency
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94612
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Helpful Links
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Detailed Information
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What are Refugee Supportive Services?
We offer services to refugees to guide them towards economic independence by obtaining and maintaining employment. Some of the services provided are:
- Employment Services (employability assessment, training and job preparedness, job placement, job retention)
- Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) classes to assist participants to become employed
- Social Adjustment and Integration
Refugee Supportive Services also address barriers to employment by providing interpretation and translation services, day care for children, and help with transportation costs.
Employment Services (ES)
Employment Services are designed to enhance the employability of participants by providing a variety of activities designed to prepare them to conduct a successful job search leading to permanent employment.
Employment Services can be offered as a stand-alone training component and/or in incorporated with the VESL classroom instructional program.
The services are available for participants in the following programs:
- Refugee Cash Assistance Employment Services (RCA ES)
- CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW)
- General Assistance/CalFresh Employment & Training Services (GA/CF E&T)
Employment Services include employability assessment, employment and family self-sufficiency plan development, case management, job preparation, job search, job placement, job retention, and reemployment services.
The goal of the program is to increase the employability and self-sufficiency of individuals while allowing them to meet their required weekly program participation hours. Participants will receive employment service concurrently with VESL classroom instruction.
Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)
We provide Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) services concurrently with Employment Services (ES).
All participants enrolled in the program must be refugees, CalWORKs or CalFresh recipients who are residents of Alameda County. Alameda County Social Services Agency’s Department of Workforce and Benefits Administration (WBA) staff determine eligibility and refer participants to partner service providers.
Two levels of VESL instruction are offered:
Level 1 - Focuses on individuals who have very limited to no English speaking, writing, reading or comprehension abilities and who may not be literate in any language.
Level 2 - Focuses on individuals who have some ability to speak, read and comprehend English phrases and sentences.
Social Adjustment (SA) Services
Refugee Supportive Services also include SA services, which provide culturally and linguistically appropriate case management services that focus on addressing the specific needs of the participant who may be experiencing difficulties and challenges adapting and/or understanding their new living environment.
Social Adjustment services include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Case Management
- Orientation to new social/cultural values systems
- Translation and Interpretation services
- Information and Referrals related to Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Legal Services or Housing
- Emergency Assistance
Who is eligible?
1. Newly arrived refugees (entered the United States (U.S.) within the past 12 months);
2. Refugees who are receiving RCA or CalWORKs cash assistance and who are unemployed;
3. Unemployed refugees who are not receiving cash assistance and have not been in the U.S. for more than 60 months; and/or
4. Employed refugees in need of services to retain employment or to attain economic independence.
We collaborate with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide employment services and Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) classes for monolingual and limited english proficient participants.
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Eligibility Information
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- CA
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- Alameda County
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- Alameda, CA
- Castro Valley, CA
- Emeryville, CA
- San Leandro, CA
- Newark, CA
- Union City, CA
- Piedmont, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Livermore, CA
- Dublin, CA
- Berkeley, CA
- San Lorenzo, CA
- Pleasanton, CA
- Hayward, CA
- Albany, CA
- Fremont, CA
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- Adult
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- English
- Spanish
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