About Us

The office of Maine Refugee Resettlement Services (OMRS) is a department of Catholic Charities Maine and is designated by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to administer the state refugee resettlement program and serve as the State Refugee Coordinator’s office. This office is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and coordination of refugee services in the state. OMRS administers federal funding received from ORR for post-resettlement services. In Maine, the statewide refugee resettlement program is managed by a nonprofit instead of the state government.

OMRS awards grants and manages refugee services grant programs through many refugee resettlement agencies, school districts, community colleges, health providers, and community organizations in Maine. Through sub-award agreements and contracts, OMRS supports job readiness and job placement services, case management, English language training, initial health screenings, and short-term cash assistance for refugees. OMRS also works to ensure services and benefits are culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible for newcomers to Maine.

Individuals with the following immigration statuses are eligible for ORR-funded services:

1. Refugees;
2. Asylees;
3. Cuban and Haitian entrants;
4. Certain Amerasians from Vietnam;
5. Victims of a severe form of trafficking who receive certification or eligibility letters from USCIS and certain other specified family members of trafficking victims;
6. Children classified as Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs) receiving services from ORR-funded Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) programs; and
7. Iraqi and Afghan with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).

Meet Our Staff