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Refugee resettlement in Nebraska

Supporting global refugees locally

With over 100 million people displaced worldwide due to ongoing conflicts, famine, and war, the impact of global crises is felt even in Nebraska. As a top destination for immigrants and refugees, Nebraska offers affordability, job opportunities, high-quality public schools, and established communities for newcomers. Over the past decade, Nebraska has welcomed more refugees per capita than any other state.

Refugee resettlement services at CIRA

We serve refugees from across the globe who are resettling and living in Nebraska. Our programs are open to clients of all ages, with recent arrivals primarily from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Venezuela, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Cuba, Haiti, and Eritrea.

CIRA operates as a refugee resettlement agency in partnership with the Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc., (ECDC) under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Our core resettlement services include:

Reception and Placement (R&P)

We assist refugees with pre-arrival home set-ups and provide comprehensive support during their first 90 days after arrival. This includes applying for benefits, helping refugees settle into their new homes, facilitating access to medical screening and care, and addressing other immediate needs.

Matching Grant (MG)

For families needing extended support beyond the initial 90-day period, we offer additional case management focused on employment and financial stability.

Employment

Our employment team provides job placement services, career development opportunities, and ongoing support to employers who hire refugees.

Education

Our education team helps refugees develop education plans tailored to their prior training and backgrounds. This includes regularly offering English as a Second Language (ESL), Cultural Orientation, Job Readiness, Driving, and other essential classes.

Gap programs

These temporary initiatives extend resettlement services to eligible populations not covered under the regular R&P pathway. Currently, our Gap programs serve Ukrainians, Cubans, and Haitians.

Refugee Intensive Case Management

The Refugee Intensive Case Management (RICM) program offers culturally and linguistically responsive behavioral health services to help Omaha’s most vulnerable refugees achieve self-sufficiency and well-being. RICM’s evidence-based, intensive case management ensures access to critical resources for refugees with chronic health conditions, social adjustment/mental health conditions, acute medical needs, and elderly refugees to help them successfully integrate into their new communities. Services include mental health intervention and crisis response, Medically Fragile Intensive case management, connection to local healthcare, social/cultural activities, and assistance with housing, employment, social benefits, and financial management.

Welcome newly arrived refugees

Make an impact

Refugees are more successful when the communities they are in welcome them, get involved in their integration, and support them in becoming self-sufficient.

Your support is vital not just to those seeking a new life, you help ensure the community we live in thrives and becomes a stronger, more compassionate, and prosperous society.

To empower immigrants and refugees to live confidently through high-quality legal representation, resettlement, and social work and to create welcoming communities through education and advocacy.

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CIRA is an affiliate of Immigration Law & Justice Network. We are a 501c3 nonprofit. Our EIN number is 74-3195841. The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter.