Every year, Ohio receives refugee arrivals from around the world. In the past five years, Ohio has seen an increase in arrivals, from approximately 1,500 refugees arriving in 2019 to more than 2,800 in 2023. Cuyahoga County saw 30% of overall Ohio arrivals in 2023, primarily from Afghanistan, Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Given this increase and the complexity of care needs for this population, local experts will provide an overview of refugee resettlement in Cleveland, particularly emphasizing the specific needs and challenges facing child and adolescent refugees. The impact of political asylum on child and family well-being will also be discussed.
The Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and Pediatric Grand Rounds at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital will co-sponsor this event, titled “Child and Adolescent Refugees: A Conversation with Cleveland Providers about Mental and Physical Health.” Members of the CWRU community are invited to attend Thursday, Nov. 14, from 8 to 9 a.m. in the UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital amphitheater or via Zoom.
The following individuals were part of the discussion:
- Bridget Haas, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at CWRU;
- Suzanne LeSure, clinical psychologist at Catholic Charities, Migration, and Refugee Services;
- Stephanie Deuley, refugee health clinical lead and family physician at Neighborhood Family Practice; and
- Katie Paul, refugee health services coordinator at Neighborhood Family Practice.