The Ohio Refugee Services Program, part of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, will host the annual statewide Conference on Refugees and Immigrants Monday, Sept. 24, at the Marriott North, Columbus.

The day-long event, held in cooperation with the Ohio Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council, will give experts the opportunity to discuss refugee and immigrant issues, focusing on difficulties in language, employment and cultural adjustment. Experts also will discuss recent trends.

In the United States, the number of refugees admitted has increased from 76,550 in 1998 to 85,006 in 1999. In Ohio, the number of refugees who directly resettled increased from 1,408 in Federal Fiscal Year 1999 to more than 1,790 in FFY 2000, with the majority coming from Somalia.

Speakers for the conference include representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Refugee Relief International and Doctor's without Borders; social service providers, advocates, refugees, leaders of Ohio government agencies and other professionals.

"In the last year, more than 1,790 refugees directly resettled in Ohio, and four of ten are under age 19," said Mike Hock, state refugee services coordinator. "Our goal is to help refugees and immigrants become self-sufficient citizens. Through the county departments of job and family services, immigrants and refugees are able to receive such services as employment-related English classes, access to available child care and health care, cash assistance and a variety of other services that will help them live peaceful and productive lives."

Refugee arrivals for FFY 2000 indicate that two counties account for the most refugees, Franklin County with 35 percent and Cuyahoga County with 30. Recent refugees in Ohio have come from Somalia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Croatia, Russia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Iraq, Belarus and Iran.

Refugees are people fleeing desperate situations. They have reason to fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. An immigrant, on the other hand, chooses to leave his or her country for a variety of reasons.

- 30 -

For more information, contact the ODJFS Office of Communications, (614) 466-6650.