Sehat wa Salamati Workshop Resources
NCTSN (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) Resources for Working With & Supporting Afghan Refugees:
National Child Traumatic Stress Network Website - Refugee Trauma
A website with information on the experience of refugees, the effects of trauma, screening and assessment tools, intervention techniques, and resources
Being Culturally & Trauma-Informed while assisting displaced Afghan Families
Offers providers guidance on being culturally- and trauma-informed while assisting displaced Afghan families. This tip sheet provides ways to build connection and trust, help maintain and strengthen family relationships, align the work with child and family goals while using a strength-based approach, and includes several practical strategies to keep in mind while assisting displaced Afghan families.
Psychological First Aid for Displaced Children & Families
Is an evidence-informed flexible approach to assist displaced children and families immediately after arriving in the US. This approach includes a set of tools to assist staff in supporting displaced children and families through early transitions.
Provides mental health clinicians and professional interpreters with information about a trauma-informed approach to mental health interpretation that is socio-culturally and linguistically-responsive to the needs of children and families receiving services. This resource guide describes frameworks for mental health interpretation, roles in a clinical setting, the interpreter and mental health clinician dyad, how to manage a session that needs interpretation services, secondary traumatic stress, supervision, values and ethics, as well as advocacy for better services for children and families needing interpretation servic es.
Understanding Refugee Trauma: For Child Welfare
Provides information about refugee trauma for those working in or with the child welfare system. This fact sheet gives definitions to describe those who migrate to the US; potentially traumatic events that could occur before, during, or after migration; involvement in the child welfare system; how notions of safety, permanency, and well-being are shaped by culture; factors that could potentially elevate the risk of child welfare involvement; special considerations for child sexual abuse; barriers to service access and engagement; and system considerations.
Understanding Refugee Trauma: For Mental Health Professionals
Outlines different considerations that mental health professionals need to take into account when working with refugee youth and their families. This fact sheet describes the cultural, child and youth, family, and provider considerations that professionals should understand when working with this population.
Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel
Outlines different considerations that school personnel need to take into account when working with refugee youth and their families. This fact sheet describes the school, classroom, individual, and family considerations that school staff should understand when working with this population.
Unaccompanied Migrant Children
Provides an overview of working with unaccompanied minors and the unique nature of the trauma they may have experienced. This resource describes symptoms or behaviors unaccompanied minors may display, cultural considerations for providers, and additional resources.
Switchboard Resources for Working With & Supporting Afghan Refugees:
This backgrounder contains historical, political, and cultural information to cultivate a general understanding of Afghans arriving in the U.S.
Guide: Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Displaced Children and Families
Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Displaced Children and Families is an evidence-informed flexible approach to assist displaced children and families immediately after arriving in the US.
Poster: Unaccompanied Children (UC) and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Infographics
These infographics were designed by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and are related to helping Unaccompanied Afghan Minors (UAMs) and will be useful for both Unaccompanied Children (UC) and Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) programs
Guide: Building a Culturally Informed Network of Refugee Mental Healthcare Providers
This information guide offers suggestions aimed at refugee service providers seeking to build a culturally informed network of mental healthcare providers.
Guide: Trauma-Informed Care: Preventing Crises and De-escalating Difficult Situations
This guide reviews skills and practices that can prevent crisis, reduce harm, and de-escalate situations.
Other Resources:
American College of Emergency Physicians
A webpage with information and resources on Afghan culture and clinical concerns that may be relevant to practitioners
Afghanistan - Culture, Etiquette, and Business Practices
A webpage with details on many aspects of Afghan culture, including language, religion and beliefs, culture and society, social etiquette and customs, and business culture and etiquette.
Community Organizations & Programs:
MAS-SSF (Muslim American Society Social Services Foundation)
Muslim American Society-Social Services Foundation is a non-profit that aims to aid families at large and the Muslim community in particular with their social services needs, with a focus on mental health.
Sacramento, CA
An accessible, confidential, culturally competent “warm lines” of peer counseling and resource referral for American Muslim Youth: call or text 855-95-Amala.
SEHAT Initiative: Improving Health & Wellness of Afghan Refugees
Provides evidence-based, culturally-congruent, and trauma-informed technical expertise, education, training, and consultation to Afghan refugees and health service providers
The Afghan Coalition aims to serving low-income Middle Eastern and South Asian communities of the Bay Area and Los Angeles, with both legal and social services.
Fremont, Alameda County, CA
Afghan Support and Investment Program (ASIP)
Developed by California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau to support transition of recent Afghan newcomers to long-term housing in California.
American Network of Services for Afghan Refugees of Southern California (ANSAR of SoCal)
Local organizations in the Southern California region that hope to serve as institutional helpers for new Afghan arrivals by facilitating comprehensive wrap-around services.
Afghan American Muslim Outreach (AAMO)
Serves the Afghan-American Muslim community through social services, to foster an Afghan American Muslim identity, to support and mentor the new Afghan refugees to become self-reliant, and to empower future generations to pursue higher education and enhance their skills by providing them with the necessary tools and skills.
Afghan American Cultural Center (AACC)
His organization is established to provide a forum for all Afghans residing in Southern California for promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood amongst themselves, to preserve their Afghan cultural values and traditions, and to transfer it to the future generations of Afghan Americans.
Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California represents the consensus of Southern California Muslims, promotes communication and service among member organizations and society-at-large, advocates on behalf of its members, and advances leadership development.
Muslim American Society - Greater Los Angeles Chapter (MAS-GLA)
Offer affordable mental health services to couples, individuals, families, and children in the Orange County and Los Angeles community
Sahaba Initiative, a 501(c)3, nurtures healthy families in the Inland Empire by collaborating for social change, promoting healing, and providing direct services.
Uplift Charity is disrupting the cycle of poverty by supporting rental assistance, eviction prevention, vocational training, and food security.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, including the conflict in Ukraine and the crisis in Afghanistan. We help to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. And we are proud to fight for a world where women and girls have an equal chance to succeed.
Sacramento, CA
Stands with immigrants, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking as they pursue their right to stability, self-sufficiency, and belonging – building the life they deserve and an even stronger Northern California for everyone.
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
SFBFS has evolved from a food pantry to a provider of services for lifelong Sacramento residents—as well as immigrants and refugees who have chosen to make Sacramento their home.
Sacramento, CA
REDA Center (Refugee Enrichment & Development Association)
Provides support for Sacramento refugees, asylees or legal immigrants with language barriers, social challenges or financial struggles
Sacramento, CA
We serve Northern California by providing guidance through essential assistance, education and recreational activities.
Sacramento, CA
To enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil liberties, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Locations in CA:
Greater Los Angeles Area
San Francisco Bay Area
Sacramento Valley/Central CA Area
San Diego Area
Its purpose is to promote Islamic teachings, understanding, and unity among all Muslims in the greater Sacramento area.
Sacramento, CA
Specializing in the provision of first response mental health interventions to refugees
International Rescue Committee Oakland
The IRC has offices in Oakland and the organization has resettled more than 16,000 Afghan refugees through the Special Immigrant Visa program established by the U.S. in 2006.
Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay
JFCS East Bay promotes the well-being of individuals and families by providing essential mental health and social services through every stage of life.
The Afghan American Foundation (AAF) is a non-profit representing and advancing the interests of Afghan-American communities focused on civic, cultural, economic, and policy.