The Hmong Resettlement Study Site Report: Orange County, California.
Author(s):
Cohn, Mary; And Others; Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland, Or.
Format:
Report
Publisher:
1984.
Language:
English
Abstract:
This document describes the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Orange County, California: what their employment experience has been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long term adjustment. The report is part of a larger, national project on Hmong resettlement. Much of the data was gathered through personal interviews with Hmong living in Orange County and resettlement workers involved with this group. The first section of the report gives general information about Orange County and describes what welfare benefits, housing, and refugee services are available, as well as how receptive the community is to refugees. Section II gives brief information on the local Hmong population who, according to one source, numbered approximately 3,000 in 1983. Section III deals with employment and education issues: what jobs are available; how limited English skills affect employment and how these obstacles are being combatted; the problem of welfare as a disincentive both for work and education; the availability of job training; how Hmong students are faring in school; and adult language instruction. The final section describes the long range problems and expectations for the Hmong in Orange County, including the increasing mental health problems, particularly of the middle aged and older members of the population; and how the young Hmong view their possibilities in the United States. (CG)