Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to Schools (ARSI S2S) Program Virtual Series

This series was developed by Child Trends, the leading research organization in the U.S. focused solely on improving the lives of children and youth, and supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to School program. Each session in the series is designed to serve educators, school administrators, counselors, social workers, and other professional service providers that work with refugee students and their families.

Spring 2024 Series: Culturally Responsive Family Engagement for Afghan Refugee Families

In this series, you will engage in learning and discussion focused on culturally responsive family engagement, particularly for Afghan refugee students and their families. The Child Trends experts are joined by HIAS PA, a leading resettlement agency in Pennsylvania, the Family and Community Engagement Program, a program supporting families through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and two Afghan parents who share their experiences in U.S. school systems.

Session 1: What is Culturally Responsive Family Engagement?

Download session 1 Culturally Responsive PDF

Session 2: Engaging Afghan Refugee Families: Learning from the Experts

Download session 2 Engaging Afghan Refugee Families PDF

Session 3: Evidence-Based Family Engagement

Download session 3 Evidence-Based PDF

Fall 2023 Series: Understanding Trauma and Fostering Resilience When Working with Afghan Refugee Students and Their Families

In this series, you will get an introduction to concepts related to trauma and resilience and explore the research and best practices surrounding these topics. We hope this learning will help teachers and service providers in delivering sensitive and effective care to the refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking youth and families that they serve. Schools that integrate trauma-informed practices and research into their approach to working with refugee students and families actively cultivate environments that are safe and supportive spaces for students, families, and staff.

Session 1: Understanding Trauma and Resilience

Download session 1 Understanding Trauma PDF

Session 2: Helping Students and Families Feel Seen and Heard

Download session 2 Helping Students PDF

Session 3: Strategies to Ensure Schools are Safe and Supportive

Download session 3 Strategies to Ensure PDF

Meet Our Instructors

Brandon Stratford, Ph.D., is the Deputy Program Area Director, Education at Child Trends.

Yosmary Rodriguez, M.S., is a senior research analyst in the education research area at Child Trends.

Cassidy Guros is a policy analyst on the education research team at Child Trends.