OoC is charged with promoting instruction and training on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. USCIS recognizes that naturalization is a key milestone in the civic integration of immigrants. Naturalization requirements, such as knowledge of English and U.S. history and government, encourage civic learning and build a strong foundation upon which immigrants can fully integrate into society. Through preparing for naturalization, immigrants gain tools to become successful citizens and meet their responsibilities as United States citizens.
Certain immigrants, such as those who entered the United States through USCIS’ humanitarian programs, may experience unique challenges with civic, linguistic, economic, cultural, and institutional integration when resettling in the United States, which may impact their progress toward full civic integration. It is critical to provide vulnerable immigrant populations with opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to fully integrate into American society.
The goal of the Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING) funding opportunity is to support organizations providing extended integration services to vulnerable immigrant populations. These integration services build upon, but are not intended to replicate, resettlement services funded by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Immigrants who entered the United States one of the following categories are eligible for services under this program: • refugees; • asylees; • Cuban or Haitian entrants; • victims of human trafficking or criminal activity; • abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens; and • individuals on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).
Deadline: Aug. 5, 2022
The following entities are eligible to apply as a primary applicant or sub-awardee to this announcement: A. City or township governments B. County governments C. Independent school districts D. Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) E. Indian/Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments) F. Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization G. Public/Indian Housing Authority H. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education I. Private institutions of higher education J. Public & state-controlled institutions of higher education K. Special district governments L. State governments
There is a minimum cost share requirement for this program of 10% of the total requested funding amount. Applicants should clearly identify which budget items are to be supported by federal grant funding and which are to be supported by in-kind contributions and/or other funding sources, along with an estimate of the value of these non-federal funding sources. All proposed cost share contributions must be clearly described in the budget portion of the proposal. Applicants will be scored on this during the technical review.