NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Resource and Referral Guide July 2019 Dear New Yorker, This is the greatest city in the world because it is a place for everyone. New York City has a profound tradition of embracing people of all backgrounds, all faiths, and all nationalities. Immigrants contribute so much to our economy and our rich cultural heritage. As your Mayor, I am committed to fighting for our values and for all of our people. This latest edition of the Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Resource and Referral Guide is a powerful resource. It will help you find the information you need to thrive here. Navigating New York City’s vast offering of services can be intimidating. This guide can help you find the information you need and is translated into many languages. New York City is a beacon to the world, because we are a city of immigrants. We will always stand up for our immigrant and refugee neighbors. No one can change that. Whether you arrived here 100 years ago or 100 days ago — you are New Yorkers. Together, we are #AlwaysNYC. Sincerely, Bill de Blasio Mayor Dear New Yorker, Thank you for picking up the third edition copy of the Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Resource and Referral Guide, a one-stop directory of the city and community services and resources available to New York City’s immigrant communities across the five boroughs. New York City is the ultimate city of immigrants—we’re proud of that fact, and every day we recommit to building a better and more secure future that is responsive to the needs of our fellow immigrant New Yorkers, no matter what zip code they live in or when they joined our great city. From education services, to health care, to trusted legal services, this guide outlines the support available to you and your family and more importantly—how to access it. We are distributing the guide in over 10 different languages, in addition to English, to ensure that language is not a barrier to obtaining the essential information contained in this guide. Under Mayor de Blasio’s leadership, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has worked to promote the well-being of New York City’s immigrant communities through work that enhances the economic, civic, and social integration of immigrant New Yorkers, including by expanding access to services and opportunities. When we advance the well-being of immigrant communities, our entire City thrives. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs looks forward to assisting and advocating for all immigrant New Yorkers now and into the future. Sincerely, Bitta Mostofi Commissioner NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 3 A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS The City of New York supports all its residents, regardless of immigration status. Access to help, in over 200 languages, is a phone call or click away. Here’s a quick roadmap to get you started: IMMIGRATION LEGAL HELP • Call ActionNYC 1-800-354-0365 Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM for free, safe immigration legal help • Call 311 and say “citizenship appointment” or visit NYC.gov/NYCitizenship for free citizenship application help and financial counseling, available at select public libraries • Beware of immigration service providers who take advantage of their customers. Get help only from a trusted, licensed attorney or accredited representative. For questions about this, call the New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 between 9AM-8PM on Monday through Friday PROTECTING & EMPOWERING FAMILIES HEALTH CARE EDUCATION Everybody Needs Help Sometimes, and No One Enroll your Children in School. Every child in Should Struggle Alone. Low-cost emergency New York City has a right to a public school and non-emergency health care is available to education, regardless of immigration status all at public hospitals and clinics and at other or language. Children age 4 or turning 4 are affordable clinics. NYC Well is New York City’s eligible for Pre-K and all residents have the free, confidential support, crisis intervention, right to attend public school from age 5 until and information and referral service for anyone graduation or until the end of the school year seeking help for mental health and/or substance when they turn 21. To enroll in 3-K, Pre-K, or misuse concerns, available 24 hours a day, 7 days any DOE school, call 311 or visit schools.nyc. a week, 365 days a year, in 200+ languages. Call gov/enrolIment. 1-888-NYC-Well or text WELL to 65173. CHILD CARE EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER Free or Low-Cost Child Care. Low-income Free Food for Those in Need. Locations across families with children age 6 weeks-12 years old NYC provide free food to people in need. The can get free or low-cost child care. Visit NYC. Homebase program can help residents avoid gov/ACS or call 311 to learn more. entering the shelter system. Visit NYC.gov/ Homebase or call 311 to learn more. KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE PUBLIC SAFETY PROTECTIONS AGAINST The City does not conduct immigration DISCRIMINATION enforcement. The NYPD does not ask about the All New Yorkers have the right to be free immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, from unlawful discrimination, retaliation, and or other people who ask for help. Anyone who harassment in the workplace, housing, and has been the victim of a hate crime, or is not public places. To file a complaint or learn more, sure, should contact the NYPD. To contact the call 311 or call the NYC Commission on Human NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force directly, call Rights at 1-718-722-3131. 1-646-610-5267. GET YOUR FREE IDNYC – IDENTIFICATION CARD To get your IDNYC, make an appointment today. Call 311 and say “IDNYC” or visit NYC.gov/lDNYC. IDNYC is a free identification card for all New Yorkers ages 10 years old and up and comes with dozens of great benefits. IDNYC does not collect immigration status information, and applicants’ information is confidential. The City will protect IDNYC information to the fullest extent of the law. Whether by phone, online, or in person, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is here to help you. Call us directly at 1-212-788-7654 from 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Or visit one of our three NYC Immigrant Information Desks, which you can locate at NYC.gov/ImmigrantInfoDesk. Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 3 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This Resource and Referral Guide provides information on services available to recently arrived immigrants. This guide is intended for use by New York City agencies, schools, nonprofit organizations, and immigrants who may benefit from receiving information and referrals to City services and non-governmental resources that serve recently arrived immigrants. All services in this guide are available to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, unless otherwise specified. City agencies are forbidden to ask about immigration status, unless it is necessary to determine eligibility for a benefit or service. This information is also available online at NYC.gov/immigrants or by calling 311 and saying “recently arrived immigrants.” You can also visit an NYC Immigrant Information Desk to receive help connecting to the services in this guide. For locations, visit nyc.gov/immigrantinfodesk. The inclusion of non-governmental entities is intended to provide information and does not constitute an endorsement of those groups. If you have any questions or your organization would like to be included in this guide, please contact the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs at [email protected]. 4 | Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. Education .........................................................................................................................Page 6 Public School Enrollment ..........................................................................................................................7 High School Equivalency Diploma .........................................................................................................10 Multilingual Learners Education ............................................................................................................11 After School, Community Services, and Recreational Opportunities ................................................11 College/University ....................................................................................................................................12 2. Adult Education, Workforce Development, and Financial Empowerment ....Page 13 Adult Education Programs ......................................................................................................................13 We Speak NYC ..........................................................................................................................................13 Workforce Development .........................................................................................................................14 Small Business Services ..........................................................................................................................14 Financial Empowerment .........................................................................................................................16 3. Health Services......................................................................................................Page 17 Health Insurance ......................................................................................................................................17 Public Hospitals and Community Health Care Centers ......................................................................19 NYC Health + Hospitals Health Care Locations ....................................................................................19 New York City Health Department Clinics ............................................................................................24 Immunization ...........................................................................................................................................24 Sexual Health Clinics ...............................................................................................................................25 NYC Health + Hospitals Pride Health Centers ......................................................................................27 4. Housing .................................................................................................................. Page 28 Public Housing and Affordable Housing ...............................................................................................28 Homelessness Prevention ......................................................................................................................29 Housing Rights .........................................................................................................................................29 5. Child and Family Welfare .....................................................................................Page 30 Child Care .................................................................................................................................................30 Food Assistance .......................................................................................................................................30 Prevention Services .................................................................................................................................31 6. Family Support Services .................................................................................................32 Family Assessment Program ..................................................................................................................32 Family Resource Centers ........................................................................................................................33 Support for Survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence .......................................................34 7. Legal Services ........................................................................................................ Page 36 Immigration Law ......................................................................................................................................36 Family Law ................................................................................................................................................38 Criminal Law .............................................................................................................................................38 8. Tax Assistance ....................................................................................................... Page 39 Free Tax Preparation Services ................................................................................................................39 9. Rights and Protections ......................................................................................... Page 40 Public Safety .............................................................................................................................................40 Identifying Information ...........................................................................................................................40 Protection against Discrimination .........................................................................................................40 Minimum Wage and Overtime ...............................................................................................................40 Independent Contracting Pay ................................................................................................................41 Wage Theft ................................................................................................................................................41 Workers’ Rights and Protections ............................................................................................................41 Workers’ Compensation..........................................................................................................................41 Safe and Healthy Workplace ..................................................................................................................41 Right to Organize .....................................................................................................................................41 Consumer Protection ..............................................................................................................................42 10. Identification ......................................................................................................... Page 43 IDNYC .........................................................................................................................................................43 Request a Birth Certificate ......................................................................................................................43 4 | Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 5 Education All children have a right to enroll in school, regardless of immigration status. Students who have not received a high school diploma have a right to attend school until the age of 21. Students must attend school from age 6 until the end of the school year in which they turn 17. The school year at New York City public schools typically runs from early September to late June. You can enroll your child at any point during the school year. The DOE strives to ensure that all children continue to learn in safe, nurturing environments through the following policies: • DOE staff do not ask about or keep a record of the immigration status of a student or family member. If you do share confidential information, including immigration status, about yourself or your family, it will be protected under the City’s confidentiality policy and the Chancellor’s Regulations. • DOE staff do not grant unlimited access to non-local law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The DOE does not permit federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to enter schools, except when absolutely required by law. There is a step-by-step protocol for schools to follow in the event non-local law enforcement officers go to a school, which includes notification to parents or guardians and consultation with DOE lawyers. • The DOE follows strict federal, state, and local laws that protect personally identifiable information. • School staff will ensure all students are in safe and supportive learning environments. The DOE’s policy is to maintain safe and inclusive schools that are free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), gender identity, gender expression, or weight. Any incidents or concerns should be immediately reported to school staff, who will investigate and take appropriate action. Additionally, resources are available on the DOE website at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/ school-life/support/supporting-immigrant-families. To find schools near you and your school district, visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/ schoolsearch. 6 | Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 7 PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Family Welcome Centers If you are new to New York City, Family Welcome Center staff members are available to help you with the NYC public schools enrollment process at these locations: Bronx Districts Served: 7, 9, 10 1 Fordham Plaza, Seventh Floor Bronx, NY 10458 Tel: (718) 329-8050 Districts Served: 8, 11, 12 1230 Zerega Avenue, Room 24 Bronx, NY 10462 Tel: (718) 828-7546 Brooklyn Districts Served: 17, 18, 22 1780 Ocean Avenue, Third Floor Brooklyn, NY 11230 Tel: (718) 758-7672 Districts Served: 20, 21 415 89th Street, Fifth Floor Brooklyn, NY 11209 Tel: (718) 759-4942 Districts Served: 19, 23, 32 1665 St. Mark’s Avenue, Room 116 Brooklyn, NY 11233 Tel: (718) 240-3598 Districts Served: 13, 14, 15, 16 29 Fort Greene Place, Room BS12 Brooklyn, NY 11217 Tel: (718) 804-6599 Manhattan District Served: 1 P.S 20 Anna Silver School 166 Essex St. New York, NY 10002 Tel: (212) 254-9577 Districts Served: 1, 2, 4 333 Seventh Avenue, 12th Floor, Room 1211 New York, NY 10001 Tel: (212) 330-9442 6 | Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 7 Districts Served: 3, 5, 6 388 West 125th Street, Seventh Floor, Room 713 New York, NY 10027 Tel: (212) 342-8304 Queens Districts Served: 24, 30 28-11 Queens Plaza North, Third Floor Long Island City, NY 11101 Tel: (718) 391-6270 Districts Served: 25, 26 30-48 Linden Place, Second Floor Flushing, NY 11354 Tel: (718) 281-3422 Districts Served: 27, 28, 29 90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, First Floor Jamaica, NY 11435 Tel: (718) 557-2786 Staten Island District Served: 31 715 Ocean Terrace, Building A Staten Island, NY 10301 Tel: (718) 420-5617 3-K and Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Enrollment 3-K and Pre-K for All brings free, full-day, high-quality education to three and four-year- old children in New York City. Visit www.schools.nyc.gov/prek, text “prek” to 877877, or call 311. Elementary and Middle School Enrollment All students in grades K–8 can be enrolled in just a few steps. 1. Find Your Zoned School • A zoned school is a neighborhood school for all students who live in a designated area and is determined by your home address. • Find a zoned school by entering your home address in the school search tool (schools.nyc.gov/schoolsearch) or calling 311. All enrollment materials are available in English and Spanish, and 311 can provide over-the-phone interpretation services in over 200 languages. • If there is no zoned school for the address given, you can visit a Family Welcome Center (see page 7 for locations) with the required documentation (see required documentation list below). A counselor will place your child at the closest school to your home that has available seats. 8 | Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants Services for Recently Arrived Immigrants | 9