• About the Program
  • Directory of Contractors
  • Federal Authority
  • PA Refugee State Plan
  • Services
    • Employment, Training and English as a Second Language
    • Targeted Assistance
    • Translation and Interpretation
    • Older Refugees
    • Citizenship Preparation
    • Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program
  • Client Eligibility
• Meet the Staff
• Network Organizations
• Demographics and Arrival Statistics
• Consultation Information
• Requests for Proposals

Targeted Assistance

The Federal Government periodically assesses the impact of refugee resettlement upon individual counties across the country, and provides additional targeted funding for enhanced services.

In Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Lancaster Counties receive Targeted Assistance Formula (TAP) dollars to provide employment services. The Philadelphia programs are administered by the Nationalities Service Center and Jewish Employment and Vocational Services (JEVS). The Lancaster County programs are managed by Lutheran Children and Family Service and Church World Service. Eligibility for TAP is limited to refugees residing within the counties. Services are centered on finding employment for eligible refugees and in addition to providing job placement, offer case management for harder-to-place clients. TAP also assists refugee clients who receive TANF benefits to meet their required number of weekly employment participation hours.

Targeted Assistance Discretionary (TAG) funds have been granted to service providers in other areas of the state to offer similar programs. In Harrisburg, the Institute for Cultural Partnerships places clients into several vocational training programs at the local community college. In Western PA, the Multicultural Community Resource Center in Erie and Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh offer skills training and employment-based case management respectively.