GY2026 refugee support services and set asides

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded the Maine Department of Health and Human Services $372,848 on October 1, 2025, under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs (CFDA 93.566) for Fiscal Year 2026 Refugee Support Services and set asides. This is a formula grant.

The funding supports Refugee Support Services (RSS), which provides employment and other social services to refugees and other eligible populations—including certain Amerasians from Vietnam, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, trafficking victims, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, certain Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, and certain Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees—for five years after their date of arrival or eligibility. The program also reimburses the state for Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA), which covers short-term cash assistance, medical assistance, and medical screening activities during the first four months after arrival or eligibility, along with unaccompanied refugee minors care and recipient administrative costs.

Performance occurs in Maine and runs through September 30, 2028. Maine DHHS is administering the statewide RSS program directly and will receive funds from the Administration for Children and Families. The state sub-granted services delivery to Catholic Charities Maine (sub-award 2601MERSSS-COM-27-0526, July 30, 2026), a Portland-based nonprofit that provides cash assistance, medical assistance, employment training, temporary housing, language instruction, and legal services to refugees under its prime grant award from ORR.