The Family Reunification & Victim Advocacy Program
Family Reunification & Victim Advocacy
Unaccompanied minors arrive to our country alone, scared and often traumatized from their journey fleeing a dangerous situation. Apoyo Case Managers provide compassionate, peaceful, and healing case management services to help the minor adjust and stay safe once reunited with family or a sponsor in the U.S. and connect them to essential resources.
Care for Unaccompanied Children (UAC)
Without the nurturing services the Apoyo Case Managers provide, unaccompanied minors who cross the border into the United States seeking safety are vulnerable to trafficking and other abuses.
Our mission is to protect vulnerable children and support their successful adjustment after reunification, facilitating access to legal services, education, and medical care.
Home Study: Rigorous Sponsor Evaluation
A Home Study is an in-depth investigation required by federal guidelines (such as the TVPRA and ORR regulations) to evaluate a potential sponsor’s suitability. Our primary goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of unaccompanied minors arriving in search of safety, protecting them from trafficking and other abuses.
Note: This process is mandatory in highly vulnerable cases, such as for minors who have been victims of trafficking, children 12 years old or younger, or when a sponsor seeks to care for multiple children.
We act with urgency and diligence, initiating the process within 48 hours to ensure the minor swiftly integrates into a stable and protective environment. This study includes:
- In-person home visits.
- Face-to-face interviews with the sponsor.
- Interviews and evaluation of other household members.
Post Release Services (PRS)
Post Release Services are follow-up services based on the child’s needs after they leave residential care. This ongoing assistance is crucial for children adjusting to their new lives.
Post Release Services coordinate referrals to supportive community-based resources where the child resides, providing ongoing child welfare services and linking the child and sponsor to the help they need.
Over 12 Years of Experience & Victim Advocacy
We have over 12 years’ experience of caring for and supporting thousands of children. In addition to our core services, we provide trauma-informed victim advocacy for those who have experienced violence or trafficking, ensuring their emotional and practical needs are met as they rebuild their lives.
Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP)
Through our TVAP program, we provide comprehensive services to foreign nationals and minors who have been victims of trafficking. Our goal is to ensure they receive the specialized, trauma-informed care they need to heal.
We support survivors by connecting them with community resources, free legal service providers, and helping them navigate the process of obtaining legal benefits and certification from Health and Human Services (HHS).
What our program covers
Home Study
We conduct interviews and home visits to evaluate and prepare sponsors, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
Reunification & Connection
We support the minor's transition and connect the family to necessary medical, legal, and educational resources.
Post Release Services
We provide ongoing follow-up and community referrals to help stabilize the child and family long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a Home Study?
A Home Study is a comprehensive evaluation of a potential sponsor’s household, involving visits and interviews, to ensure the unaccompanied child will be placed in a safe and adequate environment.
What is the role of a sponsor?
A sponsor (often a family member) is the individual who assumes responsibility for the physical, emotional, and financial care of the minor upon their release from government custody.
What do Post Release Services (PRS) include?
PRS are follow-up services that connect the minor and their sponsor with community resources such as schools, mental health providers, and legal aid to ensure a successful transition.
Do you have experience with trafficking victims?
Yes. Our services include specialized Victim Advocacy to ensure that minors who have experienced trafficking or abuse receive trauma-informed care and protection.
Are your services bilingual?
Yes, our entire team is bilingual and we provide culturally sensitive support in both English and Spanish.
Related Services
Peace and Healing Are a Click Away
Protecting vulnerable children and supporting families through every step of reunification.