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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 4, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> SUBJECT: Support for Local Immigrant and Refugee Population <br /> DEPARTMENT Orange County Public Health <br /> Department <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> • El Centro Hispano - Orange County Susan Clifford, Immigrant & Refugee <br /> Funding Request Health Program Manager, (919)-245- <br /> • Refugee Community Partnership - 2387 <br /> Orange County Funding Request <br /> • Refugee Support Center - Orange <br /> County Funding Request <br /> • Sheriff Blackwood Letter of Support <br /> PURPOSE: To consider approving funding requests for immigrant and refugee support <br /> services and to approve utilization of the Social Justice Fund as the funding source for $79,628. <br /> Due to the immediate and critical need of the agencies, this request is outside the annual non- <br /> profit agency funding process. The Social Justice Fund, with a current balance of$350,000, is a <br /> reserve that was established by the BOCC to support social justice needs that may occur during <br /> the fiscal year. <br /> BACKGROUND: Orange County is home to an increasingly diverse population: <br /> • 13% foreign-born <br /> • 17% residents speak a language other than English at home <br /> • Refugee arrivals have almost doubled in the last two years, from 54 (FY2014-15) to 91 <br /> year-to-date. <br /> The Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) has supported community-based <br /> agencies working to meet the needs of immigrants and refugees through the non-profit agency <br /> process. However, due to the recent changes in federal immigration policies new challenges <br /> and barriers exist that require an immediate response to expand services for immigrant and <br /> refugee residents. <br /> Confusion about new travel policies, changes in deportation policies/practices, harassment from <br /> other residents, and rumors of checkpoints and raids have all spurred fear in the local <br /> community — especially the Latino and Syrian communities. Local agencies — including law <br /> enforcement and County agencies — held forums to educate community members about their <br /> rights and to show support. Nevertheless many families are still concerned about driving, many <br /> want to apply for citizenship, and some are fearful to leave their homes. <br />