San Diego Welcoming Initiative: Sole-Source Award Announced

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Federal Government to Invest $1 Million in Nationwide Refugee Resettlement Capacity Assessment

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award up to $1 million to the Welcoming Initiative for Newcomers (WIN) to conduct a thorough assessment of state readiness for a new, state-centered refugee resettlement framework. This initiative aims to empower states to play a more central role in refugee placement and integration, ensuring resources are aligned with local needs and conditions.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), a bureau within HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced its intent to issue a single-source cooperative agreement to WIN, a San Diego-based organization, to spearhead the State Capacity and Readiness Assessment. The project, slated to run from January 5, 2026, to September 29, 2026, is a critical step in implementing the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR).

Did you know? – The U.S. Refugee Act of 1980 established a formal process for admitting refugees and provided federal assistance for their resettlement.It emphasizes collaboration between federal and state entities.

Empowering States in Refugee Resettlement

Currently, the federal government largely directs refugee placement. The PIR seeks to shift this dynamic,allowing states to provide informed recommendations based on their unique capacities. “this assessment is about giving states the tools and data they need to confidently articulate their ability to support refugee resettlement,” stated a senior official within the ORR.

The assessment will involve a multi-faceted approach, including the development of standardized tools, structured interviews with state officials, and focus groups to gather diverse perspectives. State-by-state analyses will focus on key factors impacting successful resettlement, such as:

• housing availability
• Labor market conditions
• Education systems
• Staffing levels

The resulting data will be synthesized into a nationwide readiness map, a state capacity catalog, and an implementation roadmap to guide future resettlement efforts. the assessment will also pinpoint state-specific labor force shortages and identify corresponding industries where refugees could readily contribute.

Key Term – The Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR) is a new framework aiming to give states a central role in refugee placement and integration, aligning resources with local needs.

WIN’s Expertise Positioned for Success

The ORR selected WIN due to its established network and specialized expertise. The organization boasts long-standing partnerships with state Refugee Coordinators, resettlement agencies, and community organizations across all 50 states. Furthermore, WIN has a proven track record in labor market analysis, credential transferability, economic inclusion, and large-scale assessment design.

“WIN’s qualifications position them to rapidly engage state partners and produce a comprehensive readiness assessment within the required timeframes,” according to a company release. This rapid assessment is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition to the state-centered framework.

Refugee Act – Section 8 U.S.C. 1522(b)(1) of the Refugee Act authorizes the ORR to contract with agencies for resettlement, supporting state involvement in placement decisions.

Legal Foundation and Long-Term Goals

The initiative is authorized under section 8 U.S.C. 1522(b)(1) of the Refugee Act, which allows the ORR to contract with agencies for refugee resettlement. This action also aligns with the intent of 8 U.S.C. 1522(a)(2), which emphasizes incorporating state recommendations into placement decisions