Short-Term Evaluation of the Effects of the Changes in Federal Refugee Assistance Policy on State and Local Governments and on Refugees

摘要

Because General Assistance (GA) programs are administered by state and local governments, and because programs vary widely across states and localities, the federal government had virtually no basis for assessing the overall impact of this Federal policy on refugees or on state and local governments. DHHS/ASPE, therefore contracted with Urban Systems Research & Engineering, Inc. to conduct a short-term evaluation of the impact of the new rule limiting Federal aid to refugees to GA standards. As part of the project the contractor assessed the impact of the policy change on refugee welfare rolls, attitudes and standards of living, and on state/local government costs and administration. The final report examined the different outcomes observed in different states, and identified 'best' practices in minimizing adverse effects.