M&E For Economic Empowerment Programs

How are states and local systems serving refugees through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)? What innovative strategies are being used to coordinate services and help refugees obtain employment? Listen to this interview with Sam Elkin, a researcher for a new OPRE study exploring these questions and more! Find the study Understanding the Intersection Between TANF and Refugee Cash Assistance and the related briefs at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre. Find more information about META at www.METASupport.org

How can we measure integration? Our latest podcast spotlights the interesting approach of the Refugees in Towns (RIT) project, an initiative of the Feinstein International Center at Tufts University. For this podcast, META was joined by Karen Jacobsen, Professor at the Tufts University Fletcher School, director of the Refugees and Forced Migration Program at the Feinstein International Center, and Principal Investigator of Refugees in Towns; as well as Charles Simpson, Program Administrator of Refugees in Towns. To learn more, visit www.refugeesintowns.org.

Why should we have gender-integrated M&E systems, and what steps can we take to get there? META was joined by Priya Alvarez of UN Women to learn why gender-integrated M&E systems are so important. Priya also shared best practices for integrating gender in program design, indicator development, data collection, data analysis, and more. META is pleased to release this podcast on International Women's Day! For more information and to find links to the resources mentioned, visit www.METASupport.org.

What are the early financial experiences of New Americans? What promising practices may help accelerate their path to economic integration in the U.S.? META was joined by Kasra Movahedi of the International Rescue Committee to discuss a recent IRC study on financial capability programs, drawing on data from more than 2,400 refugee and immigrant families nationwide.

What do we know and not know about how to improve food security and nutrition for refugees and immigrants in the U.S? On this episode of the META podcast, Rachel Dannefer, Director of Research & Evaluation for the Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Centers of the NYC Health Department and Eugenia Gusev, Technical Advisor for Food Security and Agriculture Programs at the International Rescue Committee, explore this question, discuss challenges to implementing evidence-based food security and nutrition programs in the U.S, and provide ideas for how to fill the evidence gaps. The META podcast is 100% funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement through U.S Department for Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families grant 90RB0051-02-00. The content of this podcast is solely the responsibility of the presenters and does not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

On this episode of the META Podcast, we learn two new ways mobile data collection can support programs for refugees in the U.S. Hear from Rachel Factor of Refugee Services of Texas about Refugee Mobile, a project that gives clients smartphone technology and collects data through text message. Abigail Clarke-Sayer of the IRC also shares about a pilot program that put iPads in the hands of caseworkers to help them enter data on-the-go. For more information, visit www.METASupport.org or email [email protected].

On this episode of the META Podcast, we discuss data quality in case management programs for resettled refugees. Hear common challenges and tips for improvement from Abigail Clarke-Sayer and Prospero Herrera of the IRC as well as Jennifer Malloy of the Washington State Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance. To learn more about the META Project, and to download our upcoming resources, visit www.METASupport.org. Have feedback for us? Email [email protected]

On this first episode of the META Podcast, we hear from experts in economic empowerment programs for refugees. Kate Nelson from Jannus, along with Kasra Movahedi and Jon Vosper from IRC, share tips and guidance for improving the monitoring and evaluation of economic programs. To learn more about the META Project, visit www.METASupport.org. Have feedback for us? Email [email protected]