Federal Cooperative Agreement Award Summary

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) awarded Welcoming Initiative For Newcomers a single-source Cooperative Agreement valued at $1.0 million, effective February 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026, to conduct a state capacity and readiness assessment for a state-centered refugee resettlement framework. Under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs (CFDA 93.566), this award supports the development and evaluation of California's infrastructure and capabilities to independently administer refugee resettlement services. The assessment will inform state capacity planning and the transition toward greater state autonomy in managing refugee assistance programs, including Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA), Refugee Support Services (RSS), and related integration support services.

This capacity assessment aligns with federal policy objectives to strengthen state-level administration of refugee resettlement programs. The eight-month performance period reflects the focused scope of the assessment deliverables, which will evaluate state systems, readiness metrics, and implementation requirements necessary for California to assume expanded responsibility for providing cash assistance, medical assistance, employment services, and case management to refugees and other eligible populations during their critical initial resettlement period.