Residential (group home, shelter, transitional foster care) services for unaccompanied alien children - lutheran social services of the south, INC

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc., doing business as Upbring, a cooperative agreement totaling $49,722,858 on April 1, 2026 under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs (CFDA 93.566).

Upbring operates residential shelter, group home, and transitional foster care programs providing temporary care and services for unaccompanied alien children arriving in the United States without parents or legal guardians. The organization delivers housing, medical care, education, and mental health support while identifying and vetting suitable sponsors through comprehensive background checks. Case management and ongoing support services support the objective to safely reunite children with vetted sponsors in the least restrictive environment.

The period of performance runs through March 31, 2029. Place of performance is Texas, including established multi-location operations at Bokenkamp Children's Shelter in Corpus Christi, New Hope Emergency Shelter in McAllen, and Grace House in McAllen, which provides up to 60 emergency shelter beds and 16 therapeutic beds.

The Refugee and Entrant Assistance program provides funding for cash and medical assistance, foster care and youth services for unaccompanied refugee minors, and refugee support services. Eligible recipients include States and Replacement Designees; as a Replacement Designee, Lutheran Social Services receives direct federal funding to deliver these services rather than receiving them through a state agency intermediary.

DBA upbring is a federally funded residential shelter program within the office of refugee resettlement (ORR) that provides temporary care and services for unaccompanied alien children arriving in the united states without parents or legal guardians. The program ensures children receive essential services including housing, medical care, education, and mental health support while identifying and vetting suitable sponsors through comprehensive background checks. The primary objective is to safely reunite children with vetted sponsors in the least restrictive environment while maintaining ongoing case management and support services.