Classic Hmong Refugee Resettlement Research from the University of Minnesota
Title: The Hmong in the West. Authors: Bruce T. Downing and Douglas P. Olney, Editors. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1982. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 420 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: Papers of the 1981 Hmong Research Conference are published here. The papers cover a wide range of subjects and include a brief history of the Hmong people and why they left Laos, traditional Hmong culture and cultural change, Hmong linguistics, problems of English language training, Hmong communities in the United States, and problems of resettlement. Papers presented at a 1984 conference on research onthe Hmong in the United States are collected in this book. The 24 papers are organized around four central themes (among culture and change, adaptation to a new society, language and literacy, and health care issues). Titles and authors are: (1) "Stages of Hmong Cultural Adaptation" (William A. Smalley); (2) "The Hmong of Laos:Economic Factors in the Refugee Exodus and Return" (Robert Cooper);(3) "Processes of Identity Maintenance in Hmong Society" (Timothy Dunnigan); (4) "Culture and Adaptation: Hmong Refugees in Australia"(Gary Yia Lee); (5) "The Miao in Cnntemporary China" (Louisa Schein);(6) "Geomancy as an Aspect of Upland-Lowland Relationships" (NicholasTapp); (7) "Training Hmong Women: For Marginal Workor Entry into the Mainstream" (Sarah R. Mason); (8) "Changes in Hmong Refugee Marital Attitudes in America" (William H. Meredith and George P. Rowe); (9)"Resolving Sexual Assault: Hmong and the American Legal System" (BethL. Goldstein); (10) "The Hmong in Isla Vista: Obstacles and Enhancements to Adjustment" (Catherine Stoumpos Gross); (11)"Factors Contributing to a Split within a Clientelistic Needlework Cooperative Engaged in Refugee Resettlement" (Nancy D. Donnelly); (12) "The Hmong Resettlement Study: A Symposium" (Includes six shortpages by severalauthors); (13) Cooperative Engaged in "Two-Word Expressives in White Hmong" (Martha Ratliff); (14) "Verb Serialization in Hmong" (LaurelOwensby); (15) "The Morpheme 'Rom': A First Analysis and Look at Embedding in Huang" (Annie Jaisser); (16) "Zero Anaphora and Topic Prominence in Mang" (Judith Wheaton Fuller); (17) "Investigating Literacy: Approaches, Tools, and Their Consequences for Inquiry"(Gail Weinstein); (18) "Factors in Individual Acquisition of English:A Longitudinal Study of Hmong Adults" (Karen Reed Green and Stephen Reder); (19) "Shamanism in the Context of Hmong Resettlement" (JaquesLemoine); (20) "Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals to Help Hmong Clients Seek Traditional Healing Treatment" (Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout); (21) Hmong Perception of Illness and TraditionalWays of Healing" (Xoua Thao); (22) 'Sleep Disturbances and Sudden Death of Hmong Refugees: A Report on Field Work Conducted in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp" (Ronald G. Munger); (23) "A Cross-Cultural Assessment of Maternal-Child Interaction: Links to Health and Development"(Charles N. Oberg, Sharon Muret-Wagstaff, Shirley G. Moore and Brenda Cumming); (24) "Undue Lead Absorption in Hmong Children" (Karl Chun and Amos S. Deinard); (25) "Attitudes of Hmong toward a Medical Research Project" (Marshall Hurlich, Neal R. Holtan, and Ronald G.Munger). (KH)
Title: The Hmong in Transition. Authors: Glenn Hendricks and others, editors. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 459 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: Papers presented at a 1984 conference on research on the Hmong in the United States are collected in this book. The 24 papers are organized around four central themes (Hmong culture and change, adaptation to a new society, language and literacy, and health care issues). Titles and authors are: (1) "Stages of Hmong Cultural Adaptation" (William A. Smalley); (2) "The Hmong of Laos: Economic Factors in the Refugee Exodus and Return" (Robert Cooper); (3) "Processes of Identity Maintenance in Hmong Society" (Timothy Dunnigan); (4) "Culture and Adaptation: Hmong Refugees in Australia" (Gary Yia Lee); (5) "The Miao in Contemporary China" (Louisa Schein); (6) "Geomancy as an Aspect of Upland-Lowland Relationships" (Nicholas Tapp); (7) "Training Hmong Women: For Marginal Work or Entry into the Mainstream" (Sarah R. Mason); (8) "Changes in Hmong Refugee Marital Attitudes in America" (William H. Meredith and George P. Rowe); (9) "Resolving Sexual Assault: Hmong and the American Legal System" (Beth L. Goldstein); (10) "The Hmong in Isla Vista: Obstacles and Enhancements to Adjustment" (Catherine Stoumpos Gross); (11) "Factors Contributing to a Split within a Clientelistic Needlework Cooperative Engaged in Refugee Resettlement" (Nancy D. Donnelly); (12) "The Hmong Resettlement Study: A Symposium" (Includes six short pages by several authors); (13) Cooperative Engaged in "Two-Word Expressives in White Hmong" (Martha Ratliff); (14) "Verb Serialization in Hmong" (Laurel Owensby); (15) "The Morpheme 'Kom': A First Analysis and Look at Embedding in Hmong" (Annie Jaisser); (16)"Zero Anaphora and Topic Prominence in Hmong" (Judith Wheaton Fuller); (17) "Investigating Literacy: Approaches, Tools, and Their Consequences for Inquiry" (Gail Weinstein); (18) "Factors in Individual Acquisition of English: A Longitudinal Study of Hmong Adults" (Karen Reed Green and Stephen Reder); (19) "Shamanism in the Context of Hmong Resettlement" (Jaques Lemoine); (20) "Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals to Help Hmong Clients Seek Traditional Healing Treatment" (Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout); (21) "Hmong Perception of Illness and Traditional Ways of Healing" (Xoua Thao); (22) "Sleep Disturbances and Sudden Death of Hmong Refugees: A Report on Field Work Conducted in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp" (Ronald G. Munger); (23) "A Cross-Cultural Assessment of Maternal-Child Interaction: Links to Health and Development" (Charles N. Oberg, Sharon Muret-Wagstaff, Shirley G. Moore and Brenda Cumming); (24) "Undue Lead Absorption in Hmong Children" (Karl Chun and Amos S. Deinard); (25) "Attitudes of Hmong toward a Medical Research Project" (Marshall Hurlich, Neal R. Holtan, and Ronald G. Munger). (KH)
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Volume 1, Final Report. Author: Bruce T. Downing, Douglas P. Olney, Sarah R. Mason and Glenn Hendricks, et al. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 318 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: The Hmong Resettlement Study is a national project funded by the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. The study is the joint undertaking of Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (Portland, Oregon), the University of Minnesota and Lao Family Community (Santa Ana, California). The major purposes of the Study are to examine closely the resettlement of Hmong refugees in the United States, focusing on the following issues: What has been the resettlement experience of the Hmong?
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Author: Bruce T. Downing. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 66 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement 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 and individuals working with them in Dallas-Fort Worth. Section I gives general information about the area, the population, economic base, employment possibilities, welfare, housing, refugee services, and community relations. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in Dallas-Fort Worth, which was estimated at approximately 360 in 1983. Section III describes employment (between 90 and 98% employed), economic self-sufficiency, welfare dependence, job training, education, and adult English-as-a-second-language programs. Section IV summarizes the findings specific to the Dallas-Fort Worth site, which include: (1) a very high level of employment and two-income families, meaning relative economic prosperity; (2) low rate of dependence on public assistance and refugee programs; (3) high rate of home ownership; and (4) a high percentage of young people completing high school and continuing on to higher education. The most serious problem found was the failure of some adults to learn English. The future of the Hmong in Dallas-Fort Worth looks generally positive and, aside from the language problem, is an example of a successful resettlement experience.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Author: Bruce T. Downing. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 74 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Fort Smith, Arkansas: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement 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 and individuals working with them in Fort Smith. Section I gives general information about the area, the population, the economic base (manufacturing), employment possibilities, welfare, housing, refugee services, and the relatively positive community response to the refugees. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in Fort Smith, which was estimated at approximately 296 in 1983. Section III describes employment which, while high, is low paying and entirely based on one industry (manufacturing), welfare assistance (none of the Fort Smith Hmong receive welfare); economic development (land purchases for farming); job training; education (including particular problems for Hmong girls); and adult English-as-a-second-language programs. Section IV summarizes the findings specific to the Fort Smith area, which include: (1) all Hmong in Fort Smith are there as a result of planned secondary migration; (2) there is high employment but the family incomes are low and medical expenses are a major problem; (3) there is underemployment; (4) there are insufficient opportunities for developing English proficiency and work experience; (5) the Hmong are developing plans and strategies for economic growth but are faced with very little means of acquiring capital. (CG)
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Orange County, California. Author: Mary Cohn. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 81 pages Format: PDF.
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.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Portland, Oregon. Author: Michael Sweeney. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 71 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong Refugees in Portland, Oregon: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long-term adjustment. The report is part of a larger, national project on Hmong resettlement. Section I gives general information about Portland, its population, economy, employment market, welfare, housing, refugee services, and the mixed community reaction to Hmong refugees. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in Portland, which was approximately 1,068 in 1983. Section III discusses employment and education issues. Section IV discusses the unique significance of Portland as a site in that it experienced an emigration of Hmong which reduced the refugee population by three-fourths. The section also summarizes the site findings, which include: (1) secondary migration from Oregon to California has significantly affected the Portland Hmong community; (2) the Hmong desire economic self-sufficiency and feel that public assistance should be tied to employment; (3) despite a poor economy, many families have at least one employed member; (4) the Hmong feel they have not benefited from employment services and mostly have found jobs through community networks; (5) there are few vocational or job training opportunities and they feel that ESL should be closely tied to job training; and (6) high school students have difficulty graduating and are not receiving adequate vocational training.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Minneapolis-St. Paul. Author: Bruce Downing. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 102 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement 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 and individuals working with them in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Section I gives general information about the Twin Cities, their general population, other minority groups, economic base, employment climate, welfare, housing, refugee services, and community reaction to the Hmong. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in the Twin Cities, which was estimated at approximately 8,252 in 1982. Section III discusses employment, welfare dependence, job training and education for adults, public school education, and English-as-a-second-language for adults. Section IV discusses the unique features of the Twin Cities as a Hmong resettlement area in that Hmong are the primary refugee group in the area and thus services have been specially geared toward their needs. Section V discusses the future of the Hmong in Minneapolis-St. Paul, their goals, likelihood of secondary migration, and possibility of repartriation. In general, the mood of the Hmong community in the Twin Cities is one of frustration and depression.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Fresno. Author: Stephen Reder. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 143 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Fresno County, California: what their employment experience has been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long-tern adjustment. Much of the data was gathered through personal interviews with Hmong and individuals working with Hmong in Fresno County. The first section gives general information about Fresno County and describes the general population, other refugee groups, the economic base (farming), economic problems, housing, problems of refugee services, and the very negative community reaction to Hmong refugees. Section II gives information on the size and history of the Hmong population who, according to one source, numbered approximately 10,000 in May, 1983. Section III considers a variety of resettlement issues, including lack of English proficiency, lack of job skills, discrimination, welfare dependence, lack of job search skills, and the lack of entrepreneurial experience and technical assistance for farmers and small businessmen. Also discussed are education issues, in particular the feelings of extreme disorientation the Hmong feel in the schools and their sense that the education is inappropriate for their needs. The final section considers secondary migration, welfare disincentives, socialization problems, and psychological issues. The paper concludes with extensive appendices, which include Fresno County welfare caseloads, refugee services available, organization of services, and transcripts of letters translated into English from Hmong in Fresno County.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Providence, Rhode Island. Author: John Finck. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 67 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Providence, Rhode Island: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long-term adjustment. The report is part of a larger, national project on Hmong resettlement. Section I gives general information about the area, the population, the economic base and employment opportunities, welfare, housing, refugee services, and a mixed community reaction to the Hmong. Section II gives a brief summary of the size and history of the Hmong population in Providence, which was estimated at approximately 1,700-2,000 in 1983. Section III discusses the issues of employment, job training, education, and adult English-as-a-second-language programs. In section IV summaries of the site specific findings are given, along with reflections on the future of the Hmong in Providence. Some of these findings are as follows: (1) housing is inexpensive either for rental or purchase; (2) there are a large number of entry level jobs in the jewelry and metal industries which, while low paying, give the Hmong jobs and often provide health insurance benefits; (3) the Hmong community is recognized and funding is available for them throughout the state; (4) employers are increasingly receptive to refugees; (5) health centers with bilingual staff are available; (6) there is an undercurrent of racial tension, and segregated housing patterns limit the Hmong to high crime neighborhoods. In general, the outlook for the Hmong in Providence is seen as relatively positive with the expectation that they will reduce their welfare dependency rate below the average for United States' citizens
Title: The Hmong in the West. Authors: Bruce T. Downing and Douglas P. Olney, Editors. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1982. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 420 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: Papers of the 1981 Hmong Research Conference are published here. The papers cover a wide range of subjects and include a brief history of the Hmong people and why they left Laos, traditional Hmong culture and cultural change, Hmong linguistics, problems of English language training, Hmong communities in the United States, and problems of resettlement. Papers presented at a 1984 conference on research onthe Hmong in the United States are collected in this book. The 24 papers are organized around four central themes (among culture and change, adaptation to a new society, language and literacy, and health care issues). Titles and authors are: (1) "Stages of Hmong Cultural Adaptation" (William A. Smalley); (2) "The Hmong of Laos:Economic Factors in the Refugee Exodus and Return" (Robert Cooper);(3) "Processes of Identity Maintenance in Hmong Society" (Timothy Dunnigan); (4) "Culture and Adaptation: Hmong Refugees in Australia"(Gary Yia Lee); (5) "The Miao in Cnntemporary China" (Louisa Schein);(6) "Geomancy as an Aspect of Upland-Lowland Relationships" (NicholasTapp); (7) "Training Hmong Women: For Marginal Workor Entry into the Mainstream" (Sarah R. Mason); (8) "Changes in Hmong Refugee Marital Attitudes in America" (William H. Meredith and George P. Rowe); (9)"Resolving Sexual Assault: Hmong and the American Legal System" (BethL. Goldstein); (10) "The Hmong in Isla Vista: Obstacles and Enhancements to Adjustment" (Catherine Stoumpos Gross); (11)"Factors Contributing to a Split within a Clientelistic Needlework Cooperative Engaged in Refugee Resettlement" (Nancy D. Donnelly); (12) "The Hmong Resettlement Study: A Symposium" (Includes six shortpages by severalauthors); (13) Cooperative Engaged in "Two-Word Expressives in White Hmong" (Martha Ratliff); (14) "Verb Serialization in Hmong" (LaurelOwensby); (15) "The Morpheme 'Rom': A First Analysis and Look at Embedding in Huang" (Annie Jaisser); (16) "Zero Anaphora and Topic Prominence in Mang" (Judith Wheaton Fuller); (17) "Investigating Literacy: Approaches, Tools, and Their Consequences for Inquiry"(Gail Weinstein); (18) "Factors in Individual Acquisition of English:A Longitudinal Study of Hmong Adults" (Karen Reed Green and Stephen Reder); (19) "Shamanism in the Context of Hmong Resettlement" (JaquesLemoine); (20) "Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals to Help Hmong Clients Seek Traditional Healing Treatment" (Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout); (21) Hmong Perception of Illness and TraditionalWays of Healing" (Xoua Thao); (22) 'Sleep Disturbances and Sudden Death of Hmong Refugees: A Report on Field Work Conducted in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp" (Ronald G. Munger); (23) "A Cross-Cultural Assessment of Maternal-Child Interaction: Links to Health and Development"(Charles N. Oberg, Sharon Muret-Wagstaff, Shirley G. Moore and Brenda Cumming); (24) "Undue Lead Absorption in Hmong Children" (Karl Chun and Amos S. Deinard); (25) "Attitudes of Hmong toward a Medical Research Project" (Marshall Hurlich, Neal R. Holtan, and Ronald G.Munger). (KH)
Title: The Hmong in Transition. Authors: Glenn Hendricks and others, editors. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 459 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: Papers presented at a 1984 conference on research on the Hmong in the United States are collected in this book. The 24 papers are organized around four central themes (Hmong culture and change, adaptation to a new society, language and literacy, and health care issues). Titles and authors are: (1) "Stages of Hmong Cultural Adaptation" (William A. Smalley); (2) "The Hmong of Laos: Economic Factors in the Refugee Exodus and Return" (Robert Cooper); (3) "Processes of Identity Maintenance in Hmong Society" (Timothy Dunnigan); (4) "Culture and Adaptation: Hmong Refugees in Australia" (Gary Yia Lee); (5) "The Miao in Contemporary China" (Louisa Schein); (6) "Geomancy as an Aspect of Upland-Lowland Relationships" (Nicholas Tapp); (7) "Training Hmong Women: For Marginal Work or Entry into the Mainstream" (Sarah R. Mason); (8) "Changes in Hmong Refugee Marital Attitudes in America" (William H. Meredith and George P. Rowe); (9) "Resolving Sexual Assault: Hmong and the American Legal System" (Beth L. Goldstein); (10) "The Hmong in Isla Vista: Obstacles and Enhancements to Adjustment" (Catherine Stoumpos Gross); (11) "Factors Contributing to a Split within a Clientelistic Needlework Cooperative Engaged in Refugee Resettlement" (Nancy D. Donnelly); (12) "The Hmong Resettlement Study: A Symposium" (Includes six short pages by several authors); (13) Cooperative Engaged in "Two-Word Expressives in White Hmong" (Martha Ratliff); (14) "Verb Serialization in Hmong" (Laurel Owensby); (15) "The Morpheme 'Kom': A First Analysis and Look at Embedding in Hmong" (Annie Jaisser); (16)"Zero Anaphora and Topic Prominence in Hmong" (Judith Wheaton Fuller); (17) "Investigating Literacy: Approaches, Tools, and Their Consequences for Inquiry" (Gail Weinstein); (18) "Factors in Individual Acquisition of English: A Longitudinal Study of Hmong Adults" (Karen Reed Green and Stephen Reder); (19) "Shamanism in the Context of Hmong Resettlement" (Jaques Lemoine); (20) "Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals to Help Hmong Clients Seek Traditional Healing Treatment" (Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout); (21) "Hmong Perception of Illness and Traditional Ways of Healing" (Xoua Thao); (22) "Sleep Disturbances and Sudden Death of Hmong Refugees: A Report on Field Work Conducted in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp" (Ronald G. Munger); (23) "A Cross-Cultural Assessment of Maternal-Child Interaction: Links to Health and Development" (Charles N. Oberg, Sharon Muret-Wagstaff, Shirley G. Moore and Brenda Cumming); (24) "Undue Lead Absorption in Hmong Children" (Karl Chun and Amos S. Deinard); (25) "Attitudes of Hmong toward a Medical Research Project" (Marshall Hurlich, Neal R. Holtan, and Ronald G. Munger). (KH)
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Volume 1, Final Report. Author: Bruce T. Downing, Douglas P. Olney, Sarah R. Mason and Glenn Hendricks, et al. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 318 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: The Hmong Resettlement Study is a national project funded by the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement. The study is the joint undertaking of Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (Portland, Oregon), the University of Minnesota and Lao Family Community (Santa Ana, California). The major purposes of the Study are to examine closely the resettlement of Hmong refugees in the United States, focusing on the following issues: What has been the resettlement experience of the Hmong?
- How are the Hmong faring in terms of employment, dependence, and adjustment?
- Are there areas of employment in which the Hmong have been particularly successful?
- What do resettlement workers and the Hmong regard as the major impediments to effective Hmong resettlement and self-sufficiency?
- What role does secondary migration play in the resettlement of the Hmong? What are the reasons for secondary migration among this group? What are the implications for resettlement strategies?
- How are problems being handled? What kinds of solutions are being tried, by different resettlement communities and by the Hmong themselves?
- How many and what kinds of entrepreneurial economic development projects involving the Hmong are currently in operation, e.g., farming projects, Pa ndau cooperatives? How were they developed and how successful are they?
- What kinds of Hmong employment strategies have been particularly successful?
- How might resettlement be conducted differently for the Hmong? What new projects and approaches are being considered by those involved in Hmong resettlement? How would the Hmong want resettlement to be done differently?
- How can the Hmong be resettled in a way that better utilizes their strengths and unique characteristics?
- What do the Hmong want for themselves? What do Hmong view as essential for effective resettlement? What are their goals for the future? For the next generation of Hmong?
- Orange County, California
- Fresno, California
- Portland, Oregon
- Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
- Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
- Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Providence, Rhode Island
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Author: Bruce T. Downing. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 66 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement 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 and individuals working with them in Dallas-Fort Worth. Section I gives general information about the area, the population, economic base, employment possibilities, welfare, housing, refugee services, and community relations. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in Dallas-Fort Worth, which was estimated at approximately 360 in 1983. Section III describes employment (between 90 and 98% employed), economic self-sufficiency, welfare dependence, job training, education, and adult English-as-a-second-language programs. Section IV summarizes the findings specific to the Dallas-Fort Worth site, which include: (1) a very high level of employment and two-income families, meaning relative economic prosperity; (2) low rate of dependence on public assistance and refugee programs; (3) high rate of home ownership; and (4) a high percentage of young people completing high school and continuing on to higher education. The most serious problem found was the failure of some adults to learn English. The future of the Hmong in Dallas-Fort Worth looks generally positive and, aside from the language problem, is an example of a successful resettlement experience.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Author: Bruce T. Downing. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 74 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Fort Smith, Arkansas: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement 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 and individuals working with them in Fort Smith. Section I gives general information about the area, the population, the economic base (manufacturing), employment possibilities, welfare, housing, refugee services, and the relatively positive community response to the refugees. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in Fort Smith, which was estimated at approximately 296 in 1983. Section III describes employment which, while high, is low paying and entirely based on one industry (manufacturing), welfare assistance (none of the Fort Smith Hmong receive welfare); economic development (land purchases for farming); job training; education (including particular problems for Hmong girls); and adult English-as-a-second-language programs. Section IV summarizes the findings specific to the Fort Smith area, which include: (1) all Hmong in Fort Smith are there as a result of planned secondary migration; (2) there is high employment but the family incomes are low and medical expenses are a major problem; (3) there is underemployment; (4) there are insufficient opportunities for developing English proficiency and work experience; (5) the Hmong are developing plans and strategies for economic growth but are faced with very little means of acquiring capital. (CG)
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Orange County, California. Author: Mary Cohn. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 81 pages Format: PDF.
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.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Portland, Oregon. Author: Michael Sweeney. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 71 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong Refugees in Portland, Oregon: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long-term adjustment. The report is part of a larger, national project on Hmong resettlement. Section I gives general information about Portland, its population, economy, employment market, welfare, housing, refugee services, and the mixed community reaction to Hmong refugees. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in Portland, which was approximately 1,068 in 1983. Section III discusses employment and education issues. Section IV discusses the unique significance of Portland as a site in that it experienced an emigration of Hmong which reduced the refugee population by three-fourths. The section also summarizes the site findings, which include: (1) secondary migration from Oregon to California has significantly affected the Portland Hmong community; (2) the Hmong desire economic self-sufficiency and feel that public assistance should be tied to employment; (3) despite a poor economy, many families have at least one employed member; (4) the Hmong feel they have not benefited from employment services and mostly have found jobs through community networks; (5) there are few vocational or job training opportunities and they feel that ESL should be closely tied to job training; and (6) high school students have difficulty graduating and are not receiving adequate vocational training.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Minneapolis-St. Paul. Author: Bruce Downing. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 102 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement 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 and individuals working with them in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Section I gives general information about the Twin Cities, their general population, other minority groups, economic base, employment climate, welfare, housing, refugee services, and community reaction to the Hmong. Section II gives brief information on the size and history of the Hmong population in the Twin Cities, which was estimated at approximately 8,252 in 1982. Section III discusses employment, welfare dependence, job training and education for adults, public school education, and English-as-a-second-language for adults. Section IV discusses the unique features of the Twin Cities as a Hmong resettlement area in that Hmong are the primary refugee group in the area and thus services have been specially geared toward their needs. Section V discusses the future of the Hmong in Minneapolis-St. Paul, their goals, likelihood of secondary migration, and possibility of repartriation. In general, the mood of the Hmong community in the Twin Cities is one of frustration and depression.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Fresno. Author: Stephen Reder. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 143 pages Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Fresno County, California: what their employment experience has been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long-tern adjustment. Much of the data was gathered through personal interviews with Hmong and individuals working with Hmong in Fresno County. The first section gives general information about Fresno County and describes the general population, other refugee groups, the economic base (farming), economic problems, housing, problems of refugee services, and the very negative community reaction to Hmong refugees. Section II gives information on the size and history of the Hmong population who, according to one source, numbered approximately 10,000 in May, 1983. Section III considers a variety of resettlement issues, including lack of English proficiency, lack of job skills, discrimination, welfare dependence, lack of job search skills, and the lack of entrepreneurial experience and technical assistance for farmers and small businessmen. Also discussed are education issues, in particular the feelings of extreme disorientation the Hmong feel in the schools and their sense that the education is inappropriate for their needs. The final section considers secondary migration, welfare disincentives, socialization problems, and psychological issues. The paper concludes with extensive appendices, which include Fresno County welfare caseloads, refugee services available, organization of services, and transcripts of letters translated into English from Hmong in Fresno County.
Title: The Hmong resettlement study, Site Report, Providence, Rhode Island. Author: John Finck. Source: Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project Center for Urban and Regional Affairs University of Minnesota. Location: Minneapolis. Year: 1984. Additional Source Information: N.A. Pagination: 67 pages. Format: PDF.
Abstract: This document reports on the resettlement of Hmong refugees in Providence, Rhode Island: what their employment experiences have been, which resettlement efforts have been successful, and how current resettlement efforts could be altered to improve the Hmong's long-term adjustment. The report is part of a larger, national project on Hmong resettlement. Section I gives general information about the area, the population, the economic base and employment opportunities, welfare, housing, refugee services, and a mixed community reaction to the Hmong. Section II gives a brief summary of the size and history of the Hmong population in Providence, which was estimated at approximately 1,700-2,000 in 1983. Section III discusses the issues of employment, job training, education, and adult English-as-a-second-language programs. In section IV summaries of the site specific findings are given, along with reflections on the future of the Hmong in Providence. Some of these findings are as follows: (1) housing is inexpensive either for rental or purchase; (2) there are a large number of entry level jobs in the jewelry and metal industries which, while low paying, give the Hmong jobs and often provide health insurance benefits; (3) the Hmong community is recognized and funding is available for them throughout the state; (4) employers are increasingly receptive to refugees; (5) health centers with bilingual staff are available; (6) there is an undercurrent of racial tension, and segregated housing patterns limit the Hmong to high crime neighborhoods. In general, the outlook for the Hmong in Providence is seen as relatively positive with the expectation that they will reduce their welfare dependency rate below the average for United States' citizens