RISE The Refugee Integration Study and Evaluation October 2013

Overview The RISE evaluation is a mixed methods, longitudinal study of refugee integration. The project seeks to develop a statistically reliable and valid survey instrument that can assess refugee integration over 3-4 years. Qualitative data (interviews and focus groups) are collected to validate the RISE survey and to provide enriched views of refugee integration. The Participants Data are being collected from all adult refugees who arrived in Denver between March 2011 and March 2012 from Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, and Iraq (n=467). The Measure QED designed the Refugee Integration Survey based upon current integration literature. Domains were adapted from Ager, A. & Strang, A. (2004), Indicators of integration: Final Report, Home Office Development and Practice Reports, London. A pilot version was reviewed by a panel of experts on refugee resettlement and by groups of refugees. The 100-question questionnaire collects quantitative data about each refugee with regard to ten integration pathways or domains. These pathways are: 1. Employment & Economic Self7. Social Bridging (outside culture Sufficiency group) 2. Education and Training 8. English Language Proficiency 3. Childrens Education and Cultural Knowledge 4. Health and Physical Well-Being 9. Safety and Stability 5. Housing 10. Civic Engagement 6. Social Bonding (within culture group) Demographic information (age, gender, country of origin, ethnicity, religion, marital status, home country occupation and education level, and basic literacy) are also collected. Some items have been altered, eliminated, and added, based on data analyses, translation studies, qualitative studies, and feedback from Community Connectors and CRSP professionals. After two administration cycles, meaningful distinctions can be discerned between low, moderate, and high integrators.
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RISE, a project of Quality Evaluation Designs, is federally funded through the Wilson-Fish program and administered through the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP). For more information, go to www.QualityEvaluationDesigns.com.

Data Collection The survey is translated into target languages, and administered orally by Community Connectors--native speakers trained by QED. Refugees first took the survey during their 90-day follow up visit after initial arrival in the U.S., then annually at about the same time of year. The survey is longitudinal. The same respondents will take the same survey in subsequent years. The response rate from Baseline to 1 Year Follow-up was 78%. Qualitative data include interviews with Community Connectors and Colorado Refugee Service Program (CRSP) professionals, and one-on-one and focus group interviews with refugees. So far, refugee interviews and focus groups have been conducted separately for different language groups, with the use of Community Connectors as translators. Data Analysis Qualitative data have clarified ambiguities and/or anomalies within the survey data, and have yielded valuable insights about refugees integration successes and challenges. Survey data are analyzed annually and longitudinally. Baseline showed little variation among refugees within and across the 10 integration domains. With Year 1 Follow-Up data, respondents began to fan out within and across domains. Certain demographic trends began to emerge. Some variables showed promise as early indicators of integration success or struggles. Next Steps In Year 4 (2013-2014), the third cycle of the survey will be completed (2 Year Follow-Up). Focus groups will be conducted as well. QED will continue to validate the survey instrument, and then begin making inferences from the instrument about refugee integration. Funding permitting, a fourth cycle (3 Year Follow-Up) will be administered.

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RISE, a project of Quality Evaluation Designs, is federally funded through the Wilson-Fish program and administered through the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP). For more information, go to www.QualityEvaluationDesigns.com.