Date of Completion

2015

Document Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Global Studies

Thesis Type

College of Arts and Science Honors, Honors College

First Advisor

Jeanne Shea

Keywords

refugees, refugee resettlement, social services, mental health services, perceptions, service providers

Abstract

This thesis investigates the behavioral, mental health, and social service needs of the refugee community in the Burlington area, and the services available for them. I explore what these services entail and how the various providers who work with the refugee community in the Burlington area provide these services based on the provider’s perceptions of the community’s behavioral, mental health, and social service needs. My research focused on seeking an understanding of how local service providers determine what services to provide to support the refugee community’s needs, as well as how providers think the refugee community perceives and uses theses services. This thesis examines what the providers believe works or does not work well to meet the refugees’ needs, as well as perceived barriers to and gaps in meeting these needs. Based on data I collected through ethnographic research, participant observation and interviews, I also describe similarities and differences among the providers. In conclusion, I identify potential strategies for overcoming the perceived barriers and gaps.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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