Program Summary

IRCO's SSSES programs provide a variety of culturally specific youth, family and community services for two immigrant/refugee communities:  African and Asian Pacific Islander. Youth are provided with school linked services and activities such as homework assistance, mentoring, case management, service learning opportunities, and field trips to educational institutions.

IRCO's bilingual/ bicultural staff also work closely with parents to enhance their knowledge of the US educational system and to facilitate ways for parents to support their children's educational goals. Parent and community services include: adult education, family engagement, group and family support.

Tags: programs | SSSES

IRCO’s Diversity & Civic Leadership (DCL) program works closely with three communities: the Asian Pacific Islander, Slavic and African immigrant and refugees. 

IRCO’s signature activity is the ENGAGE Diversity & Civic Leadership Training offered annually.  Over 100 community members have graduated this program in 2008-2010, educating, organizing, informing, and engaging a new generation of leaders.

IRCO’s DCL program works in partnership with many coalitions and ethnic mutual assistance associations. DCL supports the goal of building the organizational and communication capacity of community organizations of color and immigrant/refugee organizations to build community identity and understanding of existing City governance structure and power dynamics; develop communication structures to encourage and maintain communication among community members and public agencies; develop leadership opportunities to be more effective advocates responding to City public involvement initiatives and policy making needs; foster effective representation on City advisory committees, boards and commissions and neighborhood associations, encourage collaboration and development of partnerships between a wide range of underrepresented community organizations and neighborhood and business associations; and develop culturally appropriate models for how these communities can safely and successfully interact in City processes. 

Contact: Pei-ru Wang (peiruw@mail.irco.org); Oleg Kubrakov (olegk@mail.irco.org); or Abdiasis Mohamed (Abdiasism@mail.irco.org) for more information.

Tags: DCL | Diversity in Civic Leadership | programs

Healthy Kids

• Child must be under age 19.
• Child must live in Oregon and be a legal resident
• Most children must be uninsured for two months.  Exceptions to this rule:
  • Has a condition that, without treatment, would be life threatening or cause permanent disability or loss of function, like asthma.
  • Was a victim of domestic violence or had a family member who was a victim.
  • Lost coverage due to a family member’s loss of employment.
  • Has private health insurance premiums subsidized by the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP).
  • The child has Kaiser insurance through school program
  • Children in families who have chosen to take COBRA coverage after a job loss no longer need to wait two months after the COBRA coverage has ended to be eligible for Healthy Kids. 

Need Assistance?Please contact IRCO Healthy Kids Team (503-235-9396)

Coordinator: Pei-ru Wang (Mandarin), peiruw@irco.org

Tags: health insurance | Healthy Kids | kids | Pei-ru | programs

Funded through Multnomah County’s Health Department, IRCO provides multicultural multilingual support services to both mainstream and culturally-diverse families experiencing the birth of their first child.  IRCO provides developmentally-appropriate intensive culturally competent services through individualized home visits, parent education and support, family case management and associated support services, and strong working linkages with other community-based services.  IRCO manages two Healthy Start teams, providing services to over 300 families annually throughout Multnomah County.

Tags: programs