Immigrant Health
Immigration and the Uninsured
Medical & Mental Health Care for Uninsured Children
General Care
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- Virginia Community Healthcare Association
- Virginia Free and Charitable Clinics
- Medical Care for Children Partnership – Free or Low Cost Medical Care
Mental Health Access
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- Contact VMAP (Virginia Mental Health Access Program) for care coordination and information regarding mental health services in your area, for insured and uninsured children and adolescents
- Find your regional Community Services Board /CSB
- Psychology Today – Filter by Language/Culture
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator
- Mental Health Virginia
Specialty Care Access
Education & Training for Pediatricians Clinicians: Clinical & Provider Toolkits
National AAP Immigrant Child Health site
National AAP Immigrant Child Health The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines on clinical care, mental health support, and access to social services for immigrant children. These resources aim to assist healthcare providers in delivering culturally competent care and connecting families to essential services.
DC chapter AAP Immigrant Health Toolkit
DC chapter AAP immigrant health toolkit: This initiative provides a toolkit designed for those working with and caring for immigrant children and their families. It includes clinical best practice guidelines that are easy to review and implement in clinics, information on educational and public service benefits access in the DMV region, and immigration legal service providers.
Maryland Chapter AAP Immigrant Health Toolkit
UCSF Immigrant Health Curriculum
UCSF Immigrant Health Curriculum: The Center of Excellence for Immigrant Child Health and Wellbeing at UCSF has developed a comprehensive curriculum for medical residents. It covers topics such as new immigrant clinical exams, mental health issues, and exploring community-based organizations supporting immigrant families.
Medical Letters
As a healthcare provider, you have the opportunity to offer expert written support that affirms the medical and emotional well-being of the child and their family during immigration proceedings. Medical Form Letters
Webinar Trainings
Additional Resources
Family Preparedness
Immagrant Legal Resources
Virginia Immigrant Support Organizations & Councils
Charlottesville & Central Virginia
Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC)
Provides legal services and advocacy to low-income individuals in Charlottesville, Richmond, Falls Church, and Petersburg. >more
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society
Offers free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income and elderly residents in central Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Charlottesville. >more
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement
Improves the quality of life for immigrants and refugees by increasing their access to city and community-based services/resources, promoting education, and civic participation. >more
Harrisonburg & Shenandoah Valley
Church World Service (CWS) Harrisonburg
Serves and advocates for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley, offering services ranging from initial reception and welcome to ongoing employment and career training. >more
New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center
Provides low-cost legal representation, healthcare navigation, translation services, and referrals to community resources in Harrisonburg. >more
Immigrant Connection – Blue Ridge (Roanoke)
A U.S. Department of Justice authorized immigration legal services office that provides affordable assistance to low-income individuals eligible for immigration benefits. >more
Northern Virginia
Ayuda
Organization offering, legal, social and language services. >more
Catholic Charities of Arlington
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Just Neighbors Immigration Legal Services
>more
KIND (Kids In Need of Defense)
Rrepresent unaccompanied minors only. >more
Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of the National Capital Area
>more
Northern Virginia Family Services
Early Childhood Development /Homelessness & Housing / Health & Well-Being / Immigration Legal Services / Mental Health / Youth Initiatives / Workforce Development Restoration Immigration Legal Aid (Arlington residents only)
Tahirih Justice Center
Represents women and children who are survivors of violence. >more
Hampton Roads & Eastern Shore
Refugee & Immigrant Solidarity Coalition (RISC)
A youth-led organization dedicated to showing solidarity with newcomers from all backgrounds in the Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore region of Virginia. >more
Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) – Hampton Roads
Offers legal assistance to migrants living in the Roanoke, Richmond, and Newport News areas, providing affordable, ethical consultations in various immigration and legal situations. >more
International Rescue Committee (IRC) – Richmond
Provides immigration legal services, including assistance with adjustment of status, asylum applications, and family-based petitions. >more
Mental Health Resources for Immigrant Children
Mental Health Resources for Immigrant Children
Child-Focused Resources
Talking to Children About Deportation
Book Lists
The NCTSN Refugee Services Core Stressor Tool
This web-based resource is designed to help service providers assess the key stressors experienced by refugee children and families. It identifies four core stressors—family separation, violence, displacement, and lack of access to resources—and helps professionals understand their impact on mental health, guiding them in providing appropriate interventions and resources for refugee populations. Link: NCTSN Refugee Services Core Stressor Tool
Adverse Childhood Experiences
An expanded version of the original ACEs study, assessing a broader range of childhood experiences that may impact health and well-being.
CANS – Trauma Version
A comprehensive assessment tool for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events, including domains like trauma exposure, traumatic stress, and psychosocial functioning. >more
HEADSS (Modified for Immigrant Youth)
An assessment tool adapted for immigrant youth, focusing on Home environment, Education/employment, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, and Suicide/depression. >more
Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC)
A widely used tool to assess emotional and behavioral problems in children aged 4–16. >more
Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15)
A tool developed to screen for emotional distress and mental health issues in refugees, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. >more
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
A brief behavioral screening tool for children and adolescents aged 3–16, assessing emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior. >more
UCLA PTSD Reaction Index
UCLA PTSD Reaction Index (DSM-5 Version)
A semi-structured interview designed to assess trauma history and PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. >more
Hospital & Health Center Policy Guidance
Guidance for Hospitals and Health Centers
The National Immigrant Law Center has developed guidance for formerly protected areas, including specific guidance for hospitals and health centers.
Welcoming and Protecting Immigrants in Healthcare Settings
Welcoming and Protecting Immigrants in Healthcare Settings
Advocacy Resources
Community Advocacy Resources
Center of Excellence for Immigrant Child Health and Wellbeing
Center of Excellence for Immigrant Child Health and Wellbeing at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals focuses on promoting the health and well-being of immigrant children through education, evidence-based clinical services, and advocacy. >more
Council on Immigrant Child and Family Health (COICFH)
This organization provides educational resources and encourages pediatricians to stay informed about immigration policies impacting families in their community. Provides a range of resources to support immigrant and refugee families with young children, emphasizing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. >more
Supporting Young Children Affected by Family Separation Policies
This organizaton offers guidance for early childhood professionals working with families impacted by deportation or separation, focusing on creating safe environments and connecting families to mental health and legal resources. >more
Considerations for Serving Immigrant Families With Young Children | ZERO TO THREE
Considerations for Serving Immigrant Families With Young Children | ZERO TO THREE: Provides strategies for engaging immigrant families, including understanding family dynamics, honoring cultural experiences, and facilitating access to early care and education. >more
A Home-Based Intervention for Immigrant and Refugee Trauma Survivors | ZERO TO THREE
Discusses the Baby TALK home visiting model, which offers trauma-informed support to refugee and immigrant families, emphasizing the importance of the home visitor–family relationship in promoting positive outcomes. >more
Virginia Based
- Dream Project VA Helps undocumented students access higher education through scholarships, mentoring, and advocacy
- Legal Aid Justice Center Offers legal aid and advocacy for low-income individuals, with a focus on immigrant rights
- New Virginia Majority Focuses on empowering immigrant and marginalized communities through advocacy and organizing for social change
- Virginia Poverty Law Center Provides legal assistance to fight poverty and protect vulnerable populations in Virginia
- VACOLAO Supports and advocates for Latino and Hispanic immigrant communities in Virginia through education and services
- Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights Coalition of immigrant rights organizations
- Voices for Virginia’s Children Advocates for children’s rights and well-being in Virginia through policy, research, and outreach
- UndocuMason A resource and advocacy group at George Mason University that supports undocumented students
National
United We Dream The largest immigrant youth-led organization in the U.S., advocating for immigrant youth and families.
Kids in Need of Defense Provides legal assistance to unaccompanied immigrant children in the U.S.
Protecting Immigrant Families Changing public policy, engaging immigrant families and tracking policies that matter to immigrant families.
Further Reading
Key AAP Policy Resources on Immigrant and Minority Child Health
Providing Care for Children in Immigrant Families
Guidelines for pediatricians on trauma-informed, culturally sensitive care tailored to the unique needs of immigrant children and families. >more
Detention of Immigrant Children
Outlines the harmful physical and mental health effects of child detention and advocates for alternatives that uphold child welfare. >more
The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health
Examines how structural racism influences health outcomes and offers strategies… >more
Recent Scholarly Readings on Immigrant Health and Youth
- Patler, C., & Gonzalez, G. (2023). Well-Being, Changes to Academic Behavior, and Resilience Among Families Experiencing Parental Immigration Imprisonment. American Sociological Review.
- This study examines the psychological and academic impacts on children whose parents have been detained for immigration-related reasons. It highlights increased anxiety, depression, and academic decline among affected youth. SAGE Journals
- Vega Potler, N. J., et al. (2023). Persistence of Emotional Distress in Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents Primarily From the Northern Triangle of Central America. JAMA Network Open.
- A longitudinal study revealing that unaccompanied migrant children, especially girls, experience sustained emotional distress post-resettlement, underscoring the need for targeted mental health interventions.
- Patler, C., & Gonzalez, G. (2021). The Long-Term Effects of Parental Immigration Detention on Children’s Mental Health and Academic Outcomes. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
- This research discusses the enduring effects of parental detention on children’s mental health and educational achievements, emphasizing the importance of supportive services for affected families.
- Roche, K. M., et al. (2024). Having a Deported Family Member Affects the Mental Health of Latino Adolescents. EL PAÍS English.
- An article detailing how deportation of family members leads to increased depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues among Latino adolescents, highlighting the broader community impact.
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2023). Potential Impacts of Mass Detention and Deportation Efforts on the Health and Well-Being of Immigrant Families.
- This brief outlines the health repercussions of aggressive immigration enforcement, including increased mental health disorders and disrupted access to healthcare among immigrant families.
- Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). (2023). How the Threat of Deportation Affects Children in Latino Immigrant Families.
- A summary of research indicating that fear of deportation leads to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and academic challenges in children of Latino immigrants.
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2023). Living in an Immigrant Family in America: How Fear and Toxic Stress Are Affecting Daily Life, Well-Being, & Health.
- This report discusses how the threat of deportation creates chronic stress, leading to mental health issues and reduced access to essential services for immigrant families.
- Patler, C., & Gonzalez, G. (2022). Parental Perceived Immigration Threat and Children’s Mental Health, Self-Regulation, and Executive Functioning in Pre-Kindergarten. Developmental Psychology.
- A study exploring how perceived immigration threats impact young children’s behavior and cognitive development, with implications for early childhood education and intervention.
Join the Immigrant Health Committee
If you would like to join the Immigrant Health Committee meeting, contact our Executive Director