(NewsUSA) - The average military family moves three times as often as their civilian peers, and most of these permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer, according to Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, supporting, and connecting military families in communities around the world.

Many military families live in their local civilian communities. However, military families whose lives are often disrupted by deployments and frequent moves often struggle to feel part of these communities, according to Blue Star Families’ 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey. Blue Star Welcome Week is a new American tradition spearheaded by Blue Star Families to create a greater sense of belonging and community for everyone.

Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, says, “It’s time for a new tradition where we make military families feel valued and included. Welcome Week connects military families with their civilian neighbors. Whether it’s a simple message or a community event, every gesture builds a stronger, more inclusive community. This is how we honor their sacrifices and show our gratitude.”

Blue Star Welcome Week happens every year during the last week of September – this year’s event is scheduled for September 21-29, 2024.

As we gear up for Welcome Week, here are four ways you can ‘do your part’. And, you can check out more inspirational ideas here!

• Host a Blue Star Family Welcome Week Block Party. Welcome the newest military families to your neighborhood by hosting a festive gathering where military and civilian families can connect and make memories. If hosting solo feels overwhelming, team up with a local organization or form a block party host group. With events happening around the world, your volunteer efforts help bridge the gap between military and civilian communities. Let's make a difference together!
   
• Every Little Bit Helps. Support military families in your neighborhood through small thoughtful actions. Make a meal, bring up trash cans, help find a babysitter (or babysit), cut their grass, or invite them to your next holiday gathering. These simple gestures can make a significant impact in helping our military families feel connected to their community.
   
• Educate Yourself on Their Unique Challenges. Military families face unique challenges that impact their daily lives. The 2024 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) by Blue Star Families highlights key issues like financial strain, underemployment of spouses, mental health concerns, and feeling disconnected from their communities. These quality-of-life concerns have led to fewer service members recommending military service, threatening the future of our All-Volunteer Force. By understanding these challenges, you can better support and advocate for military families in your neighborhood!
   
• Support Companies That Hire Military Spouses. For decades, military spouses have endured an unemployment rate of 20% or higher, three to four times higher than their civilian counterparts – this remains the top concern for active-duty spouse respondents for the sixth consecutive year. The 4+1 Commitment is a way for employers to voluntarily commit to improving military spouse employment outcomes – extend your support by patronizing those who have made this commitment, like Starbucks, T-Mobile, PenFed Credit Union, USAA, Nextdoor, Navy Federal Credit Union, Comcast NBCUniversal, Home Depot, Amazon, Lowe’s, Johnson & Johnson, and Humana.

Blue Star Welcome Week is more than just a series of events – it's a movement to build stronger, more inclusive communities for our military families. By participating, you play a vital role in making every military family feel valued and supported and help lay the foundation for a new tradition.

Join us from September 21-29, 2024, and make a difference in the lives of those who serve our nation.

(NewsUSA) - The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is national call center that helps people with disabilities get connected to information about local community resources that support independent living. DIAL also provides information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights and more. Additionally, DIAL has information on COVID-19, flu and other adult vaccines and can help you find how to access vaccines in your community.

DIAL serves people with disabilities across the country who have a variety of needs. DIAL Referral Specialists are trained to work with people with various communication abilities and will spend as much time as needed to ensure effective communication. For example, DIAL has enhanced accessibility with options for people to text or communicate through American Sign Language direct video call.

DIAL is managed by USAging, which represents the national network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocates for Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Through DIAL, USAging partners with disability organizations to ensure that people are referred to the appropriate disabilities services.

The training and expertise of DIAL Referral Specialists enables them to focus on and respond to the unique needs of each caller. Said one caller, “The specialist connected me with the person I needed to speak to. She went above and beyond, and I appreciate her so much.”

To find local services, you can contact DIAL in several different ways. To speak with a Referral Specialist by voice, videophone call or text use 888-677-1199. You can chat online with a Referral Specialist at dial.acl.gov. And Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers who use American Sign Language can contact DIAL by clicking here.

(NewsUSA) - When you spend time outdoors, you feel better, physically and mentally, and a growing body of medical evidence supports the value of being in nature. For families in particular, outdoor time is a great way to build memories and share experiences.  

Time outdoors is scientifically linked to healthier brain function, reduced stress, increased physical activity, and overall improvements in well-being for individuals of all ages, according to multiple studies. Outdoor experiences can be especially valuable for military families, whose lives are often disrupted by deployments and frequent moves, according to Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, supporting, and connecting military families in communities across the United States.  

Blue Star Families has partnered with funders such as REI, the Defense Health Agency and the National Park Service to create Blue Star Outdoors. 

The Blue Star Outdoors website features a park locator to help families find outdoor spaces near them, as well as calendars of local outdoor events, specific activities and adventures for families, and resources on the benefits of outdoor time. Those seeking to connect with other military families for outdoor adventures can use the website to join Outdoor Explorers for All club, which organizes events for military families at parks such as fishing clinics, park and waterway stewardship activities, and nature observation hikes.  

Blue Star Families first started to engage active duty military service members and their families in park- and nature-based programs in 2019 through “Blue Star Parks.” In 2021-22, the program was rebranded to Blue Star Outdoors to be more inclusive of all outdoor spaces that offer respite and community for military families. Blue Star Families partnered with the National Park Service and corporate and foundation partners to deliver fishing and other outdoor recreation programs at park sites.

Today, Blue Star Outdoors consists of two programming types: Blue Star Connect Outdoors and Outdoor Explorers for All (OEA). Both programs build community to address social isolation, a root cause of mental and physical health challenges.

As a result of the work with the military family community and the strong outcomes, in 2023, DHA and NPS selected Blue Star Families as the Prime Awardee for a $4.475 million appropriation to implement outdoor programming and subgrant to Wilderness Inquiry (WI), YMCA of the USA, and Texas A&M University’s Center for Health & Nature.

Ford Motor Company recently teamed up with Blue Star Families' Do Your Part initiative to host the first-ever "Proud to Honor: Bronco Off-Roadeo" experience. It was a powerful display of support for military families, Veterans, and survivors. The event was held at Horseshoe Bay, Texas, in June and brought 150 participants together for an exhilarating off-roading adventure.

Representatives from esteemed organizations such as Guitars 4 Vets, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Travis Manion Foundation, Team Rubicon, and Ford's Veteran Employee Resource Group were in attendance. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also provided valuable support and resources on-site. Beyond a fun day, this partnership underscores a shared commitment to community building and camaraderie in the great outdoors.

Visit bluestarfam.org for more information about community building and support for military families. 

(NewsUSA) - Stress continues to permeate the lives of many people worldwide, and data shows that 80% of chronic diseases have roots in stress, according to Kiran Dintyala, MD, a physician also known as Dr. Calm.

Dr. Dintyala has dedicated his medical practice to a combination of internal medicine, functional medicine, and stress management to help people lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. He combines management of physical illnesses as well as mental health issues such as depression and anxiety with preventive and therapeutic strategies that promote total well being.

In 2007, Dr. Dintyala was experiencing extreme stress caused by a combination of financial crises and career challenges. His personal journey resulted in the discovery of the power of calmness and self-realization to help manage stress and get out of a downward spiral of negativity.

Dr. Dintyala helps others find calm through his stress management program, called Happiness Therapy. The program includes guidance on how to quiet the racing brain, conquer life’s challenges and find peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The 3-Step Simple Calmness System was designed to help harmonize one’s life with a combination of tranquility, wisdom, and right decision making.

“Your ability to tap into rational brain depends on your ability to quiet your thoughts and remain calm," said Dr. Dintyala.

Remaining calm in the midst of political chaos during this election season is quite a challenge for many, and Dr. Dintyala takes it head on in his new book, “The Mantra of Peaceful Politics—Seven Prescriptions by Dr. Calm.” The book provides insights on stress management and strategies in seven areas: Stay Calm in the Midst of Chaos, Decide Who to Vote For, Resolve Conflicts and Build Relationships, Guard Your Mind from Negativity, Improve Your Mental Health, Find Peace of Mind, and Be Happy and Prosperous No Matter What.

As the 2024 Presidential election draws near, stress, fear, and turmoil are on the rise among both political parties and the American public. “From politicians to the voters, everyone is feeling anxious as their fates unravel over the next few months,” Dr. Dintyala wrote in the introduction to the book.

Brushing off the overwhelming negativity is the key to maintaining mental health, Dr. Dintyala says, and compares the mental brush-off to daily tooth brushing to remove plaque buildup whether dental or mental. “It’s important that we all take a deep breath, relax, and stay calm so our minds remain clear. That’s the only way to maintain our sanity and make the right decisions about voting,” he adds.

Click here for the book The Mantra of Peaceful Politics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9FSHX31?

Visit  https://www.stressfreerevolution.com/happiness-therapy349877 for Happiness Therapy

(NewsUSA) - Kids take the field in a big way this summer in Plano, Texas, as the town gears up to host a diverse mix of activities that attract the best young talent from across the United States.

A series of tournaments begins in June, and Plano’s top-notch youth athletic facilities and welcoming community spirit ensure that each kid feels like a winner, regardless of what happens on the field.

Summer kicks off with soccer on the weekend of June 14, as boys and girls 13U-19U teams compete in the U.S. Soccer Southern Presidents Cup for the chance to qualify for the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Presidents Cup events. Winners of the regionals will compete in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup on July 12-16 in Wichita, Kansas.

The US Soccer Southern Presidents Cup event is expected to bring more than 40,000 visitors to Plano, and generate $6 million in economic impact.

"We are incredibly honored to host the prestigious U.S. Youth Sports Presidents Cup in Plano," says Mark Thompson, Executive Director of Visit Plano. "This event not only highlights our city's dedication to fostering youth athletic talent, but also showcases Plano as a premier destination for major sporting events,” he adds.

The same weekend, Plano plays host to two more youth sports events. The Aloha Texas Two-Step Lacrosse Tournament brings top teams from across Texas to Plano for a weekend of competitive lacrosse, and the Texas Glory Summer Shootout features 14U-18U girls’ softball.

Tennis fans will want to tune in from June 7-12, when the U.S. Tennis at Plano’s High Point Tennis Center, the U.S. Tennis Association hosts the Texas Slam tournament, featuring competition for both boys and girls from across Texas in four age divisions with both singles and doubles matches. 

Other youth sports events coming to Plano this summer include the Girls Texas Draw Lacrosse Tournament (June 1-2), the Elite Club National League (ECNL) Regional League South Playoffs for soccer (June 5-9), the Triple Crown Sports Texas State Championships for fast pitch softball (June 7-9), and the Texas 2 Finger ultimate frisbee championship (June 29-30).

As summer heats up, so does Plano, as talented young athletes and future stars from across the region are set to deliver unforgettable moments of skill, sportsmanship, and competition. For more information, check out visitplano.gov.  

(NewsUSA) - Youth sports are a formative experience for many kids, and provide opportunities not only to hone athletic abilities but also to develop strong character, values, and cooperative skills that will serve them well for life. The backbone of any team is its coach.

The right coach can help kids grow both as players and people. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of trained youth sports coaches, so many volunteers – mainly parents – have had to assume the role just so their children can play, according to the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education, that about four million out of 7.5 million youth and school coaches in America are now classified as volunteers. And most of them cite the lack of accessible and affordable training as a reason for not sticking with it for all that long.

The young athletes suffer most from the coaching shortage. They’re the ones who the University of Maine found are five times more likely to drop out if led by an untrained coach than players led by qualified ones.

However, new technologies are emerging that can support coaches of both large organizations and small teams, making it easier for them to get access to proper trainings which will help them create the best experiences for their athletes.

TeamSnap, a premier creator of youth sports software solutions, is revolutionizing coaching nationwide with on-demand, high-quality, online resources designed to simplify coaching responsibilities and provide training modules that help kids stay engaged in sports.

Their latest offering, TeamSnap+, offers educational resources in multiple areas including:

-Team drills. Collaboration with professional organizations including Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer to develop week-by-week programs for a range of age and skill levels.

-Individual assistance. One-on-one programs and guidance to help coaches tailor training to individual athletes.

-Off the field. Take youth coaching to the next level with expert advice on discussing mental health, coaching kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and developing essential life skills.

"TeamSnap's new training content was developed in collaboration with the greatest sporting bodies in the world. We are setting a new standard in youth sports by providing it to the millions of coaches and parents who already use the TeamSnap app," says Peter Frintzilas, CEO of TeamSnap. "Since day one, TeamSnap has been committed to building all of the resources that coaches and parents need to feel confident during every practice and game to help their athletes realize their full potential."

The coaching tools available through the platform deliver the crucial support that coaches, volunteers, and parents need to focus on what truly counts: getting kids of all abilities into the game.  For more information, visit: https://www.teamsnap.com/

(NewsUSA) - La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil, una iniciativa del Departamento de Trabajo de EE. UU., presenta una variedad de eventos y oradores en lugares de todos los Estados Unidos para mostrar los numerosos beneficios de los programas de aprendizaje registrado para jóvenes y adultos jóvenes de 16 a 24 años.

La iniciativa a nivel nacional se lleva a cabo del 5 al 11 de mayo de 2024 e incluye más de 400 eventos y más de 110 proclamaciones destinadas a celebrar y educar al público sobre los aprendizajes registrados. Los aprendices actuales y graduados de programas de aprendizaje registrado compartirán sus experiencias e historias de éxito.

La Semana de Aprendizaje Juvenil es una oportunidad para que empleadores, asociaciones industriales, organizaciones laborales, organizaciones comunitarias, socios de la fuerza laboral, proveedores de educación y líderes gubernamentales organicen eventos, lancen nuevos programas y creen conciencia sobre estas oportunidades profesionales de Aprendizaje Registrado que cambian la vida de jóvenes y adultos jóvenes y cómo crean una fuente sostenible de talento diverso y calificado para los empleos de hoy y de mañana en industrias críticas.

Los asistentes escucharán cómo los jóvenes y adultos jóvenes pueden utilizar los aprendizajes registrados para ganar salarios competitivos mientras obtienen capacitación y habilidades para crecer y avanzar en carreras esenciales para la fuerza laboral actual y los empleos del futuro. Los aprendizajes registrados dan como resultado una credencial reconocida a nivel nacional y pueden incluir la posibilidad de obtener créditos universitarios y, a menudo, un título sin costo alguno para el aprendiz.

"La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil reconoce el compromiso de la administración Biden-Harris de crear oportunidades de empleo para jóvenes y adultos jóvenes y el papel fundamental que desempeñan en la infraestructura laboral de nuestra nación", dijo la secretaria interina de Trabajo, Julie Su, en un comunicado anunciando el evento. "Los aprendizajes para jóvenes no son sólo caminos hacia carreras profesionales; son puentes hacia futuros llenos de promesas, oportunidades y un potencial infinito", enfatizó.

El Departamento de Trabajo de EE. UU. organizó dos eventos durante la Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil, incluido un evento de inicio con jóvenes aprendices actuales el 6 de mayo y un evento especial del Día de la Firma con nuevos jóvenes aprendices el 9 de mayo. Estos eventos destacaron carreras en una variedad de campos importantes para el éxito de los Estados Unidos, incluida la construcción, el transporte, la manufactura avanzada y la energía limpia, la educación, la ciberseguridad, la robótica y la atención médica. El aprendizaje juvenil es una estrategia de ganar y aprender que brinda a los jóvenes un camino hacia un buen trabajo y un impulso hacia una carrera bien remunerada. Bajo la administración Biden-Harris, se han atendido a más de 1,4 millones de aprendices, incluidos más de 541.000 nuevos jóvenes y adultos jóvenes de entre 16 y 24 años, según la Oficina de Aprendizaje del Departamento de Trabajo de EE. UU., la agencia gubernamental responsable de los programas de aprendizaje registrados.

Para obtener más información sobre la Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil y cómo participar, visite www.apprenticeship.gov/youth-apprenticeship-week. Haga correr la voz en las redes sociales a través de #YAW2024 y #ApprenticeshipUSA.

(NewsUSA) - Our Nation mourns for the communities of Northern Florida, where residents were so tragically affected by Hurricane Idalia. The Marine Toys for Tots Program recognizes that need extends far beyond the holiday season, and we stand ready to assist when hope and relief are needed most.

The families living in the counties of Taylor, Lafayette, and Suwannee have suffered devastating losses, and the financial and emotional fallout will be long lasting—especially for those without the means to recover. In order to provide comfort, emotional relief, and hope to these families, Toys for Tots plans to distribute toys, books, and other gifts to the children of these communities.

Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good, providing hope and emotional relief to families experiencing challenging circumstances. Our local Toys for Tots campaigns in Taylor, Lafayette, and Suwannee Counties are working together to ensure that the children who lost so much will be reminded that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. Our Coordinators throughout the Nation work tirelessly from October-December to provide something tangible to economically disadvantaged children on Christmas morning.

However, we can’t anticipate when natural disasters will strike and are extremely fortunate to have our volunteer Coordinators who are ready, willing, and able to provide support on short notice.  They are rallying to provide assistance to the children of families who lost so much as a result of Hurricane Idalia.

Toys for Tots will be providing support to over 12,000 children throughout the three Northern Florida Counties. Our amazing Coordinators who oversee the campaigns near the affected areas are working together to organize distribution events through local organizations over the next few weeks.

“Over the past few years, families across our Nation have faced tremendous challenges, but the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Idalia has added to the severity of hardships that the families in the communities of Taylor, Lafayette, and Suwannee Counties must overcome,” said LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

“The Marine Toys for Tots Program recognizes the need outside of the holiday season, and we want to do what we can to provide hope for these families and offer our assistance now,” he said. “We are extremely proud of our Coordinators who work beyond the holiday season and our network of nonprofit partners that are able to assist us in providing emotional relief to the children living in these Florida communities as soon as possible.” 

Marine Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good – because children need hope for a brighter tomorrow beyond the holiday season. To support the efforts to ease the suffering of families impacted by Hurricane Idalia and to support other year-round efforts, visit www.toysfortots.org.

(la Oficina del Defensor de Inmigrantes Detenidos) - La Oficina del Defensor de Inmigrantes Detenidos (OIDO) está aquí para ayudar a la comunidad de inmigrantes detenidos. La OIDO, una oficina independiente del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) de EE. UU., se dedica a promover y apoyar condiciones seguras y humanas para las personas detenidas por motivos de inmigración. Como única entidad de supervisión del DHS centrada exclusivamente en la detención de inmigrantes, la OIDO cuenta con personal que visita regularmente las instalaciones para hablar con los detenidos sobre sus inquietudes. La Oficina también realiza inspecciones, ofrece recomendaciones y propone soluciones para mejorar las condiciones de detención de los inmigrantes.

La OIDO cuenta con un equipo de expertos médicos que evalúan los casos individuales y asesoran sobre cuestiones sistémicas y políticas. El equipo está formado por asistentes médicos, enfermeros titulados, psicólogos y farmacéuticos que trabajan junto a los administradores de casos e investigadores de OIDO.

La OIDO adopta un enfoque neutral para observar y analizar los asuntos relacionados con las condiciones de detención de inmigrantes, al tiempo que destaca los problemas de tratamiento de forma oportuna. La OIDO se basa en las inspecciones anunciadas y no anunciadas de un equipo de investigadores dedicados que visitan centros de detención tanto administrados por el gobierno como contratados de forma privada en todo el país. La Oficina también coloca administradores de casos en los centros de detención de todo el país para gestionar quejas que van desde necesidades físicas como el acceso a mantas, cepillos de dientes y mejoras en la calidad de la comida, hasta garantizar que los centros de detención ofrezcan acceso suficiente a personal médico, zonas de videoconferencia y bibliotecas jurídicas.

Cuando se recurre a la OIDO para que ayude con asuntos que requieren atención inmediata y que no han sido resueltos por el Servicio de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras (CBP) de EE. UU. o el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE), la OIDO puede llamar la atención adicional sobre estos asuntos.  Su trabajo puede dar lugar a una recomendación formal de mejora al Secretario del DHS, Alejandro Mayorkas, y al Congreso.

El año pasado, la OIDO emitió una Alerta al Defensor en relación con la falta crítica de personal médico de un contratista independiente en la frontera suroeste. Los expertos médicos de la OIDO colaboraron con la Oficina del Médico Jefe del CBP y con la Oficina de Servicios de Salud del DHS para abordar las deficiencias de la atención médica en todo el país, lo que se tradujo en índices de dotación de personal que han aumentado un 100% a nivel nacional este año.  Tras una minuciosa investigación, el informe final, Análisis de la OIDO: Contrato de apoyo médico del CBP para la frontera suroeste y Tucson (OIDO Review - CBP Medical Support Contract for Southwest Border and Tucson), se publicó en julio.

Cuando se levantó el Título 42 en mayo, la OIDO movilizó personal a la frontera sur y estuvo presente en muchos emplazamientos de la Patrulla Fronteriza, al tiempo que continuaba con su labor habitual de supervisión en los centros de detención de inmigrantes. “La OIDO está comprometida con garantizar las mejores condiciones posibles para quienes se encuentran en nuestro sistema de detención de inmigrantes”, declaró el Defensor de Inmigrantes Detenidos interino, David Gersten. “Posicionamos a los administradores de casos y a los investigadores de todo el país para que tengan un acceso fácil a las instalaciones del ICE y del CBP, lo que nos permite resolver los problemas de detención de forma proactiva y lo más rápidamente posible”.

Los altos directivos de la OIDO también participaron en estas observaciones. Un área de enfoque crítica fue el cuidado de los niños no acompañados y de las familias, junto con las instalaciones adecuadas, la higiene, el acceso y la calidad de los alimentos y el agua, el acceso a los servicios jurídicos y el manejo de los bienes personales.

Las personas detenidas deben sentirse seguras sabiendo que solicitar ayuda a un administrador de casos de la OIDO no afecta a su estatus migratorio. Deben empezar por pedir hablar con un administrador de casos de la OIDO en su centro o hacer que un representante rellene un Formulario de admisión de casos para cualquier asunto relacionado con su bienestar que no haya sido tratado.

En un caso reciente, un detenido solicitó ayuda a un administrador de casos de la OIDO, afirmando que no se le permitía acceder a la documentación relacionada con la inmigración que tenía en su poder cuando llegó por primera vez al centro. El individuo informó a la OIDO de que se habían hecho múltiples peticiones de los documentos, pero estos no habían sido devueltos. Según las Normas de Detención del ICE, los centros de detención de inmigrantes deben permitir a las personas detenidas acceder a su documentación legal personal. Con el apoyo del administrador de casos de la OIDO, que transmitió esta queja al personal del centro, el individuo recibió rápidamente su documentación.

Con la misión de servir como recurso neutral, objetivo y creíble para todos los afectados por la detención de inmigrantes, la OIDO seguirá identificando los procesos que no funcionan como deberían y trabajando para obtener resultados. Se estima que para finales de este año, la OIDO habrá abordado más de 20,000 casos sobre las condiciones de detención.

“Nuestro objetivo es seguir mejorando eficaz y rápidamente las condiciones en todos los centros de detención, al trabajar para mitigar los problemas y mejorar los procesos del ICE y el CBP”, dijo Gersten.

Para obtener más información sobre la OIDO o presentar una queja, visite DHS.gov/OIDO.

(the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman) - The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) is here to help the immigration detention community. OIDO, an independent office within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is dedicated to promoting and supporting safe and humane conditions for people being held in immigration detention. As the only DHS oversight entity solely focused on immigration detention, OIDO has staff who regularly visit facilities to speak with detained individuals about their concerns.  The Office also conducts inspections, provides recommendations, and proposes solutions to improve conditions in immigration detention.

OIDO has a team of medical experts that assess individual cases and advise on systemic and policy issues. The team is composed of physician assistants, registered nurses, psychologists, and pharmacists who work alongside OIDO’s case managers and investigators.

OIDO takes a neutral approach to observing and reviewing matters related to the conditions of immigration detention while calling attention to treatment issues in a timely manner. OIDO relies on announced and unannounced inspections from a team of dedicated investigators who visit both government-operated and privately contracted detention facilities throughout the country. The Office also places case managers within detention facilities across the country to handle complaints that range from physical needs such as access to blankets, toothbrushes, and improvements in food quality, to ensuring detention centers provide sufficient access to medical personnel, video conference areas, and law libraries.

When OIDO is called on to help with issues needing immediate attention that have not been resolved by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), OIDO can call additional attention to these matters.  Their work can lead to a formal recommendation for improvement to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Congress.

Last year, OIDO issued an Ombudsman Alert regarding an independent contractor’s critical medical understaffing at the Southwest border. OIDO’s medical experts worked with CBP’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer and DHS’s Office of Health Services to address medical care deficiencies nationwide, resulting in staffing rates that have increased 100 percent nationally this year.  Following a thorough investigation, the final report, OIDO Review -- CBP Medical Support Contract for Southwest Border and Tucson, was issued in July.

When Title 42 lifted in May, OIDO surged staff to the southern border and was present at many Border Patrol locations, while continuing its regular oversight work at immigration detention facilities. “OIDO is committed to ensuring the best possible conditions for those in our immigration detention system,” said acting Immigration Detention Ombudsman David Gersten. “We position case managers and investigators across the Nation to have easy access to ICE and CBP facilities, enabling us to resolve detention issues proactively and as fast as possible.”

OIDO senior leadership also participated in these observations. One critical focus area was the care of unaccompanied children and families, along with appropriate facilities, hygiene, access to and quality of food and water, access to legal services, and the handling of personal property.

People who are detained should feel confident knowing that requesting assistance from an OIDO case manager doesn’t affect their immigration status. They should start by asking to speak with an OIDO case manager in their facility or having a representative complete a Case Intake Form for any issue related to their well-being that has not been addressed.

In one recent instance, a detained person requested assistance from an OIDO case manager, stating that he was not granted access to immigration-related paperwork that was in his possession when he first arrived at the facility. The individual informed OIDO that multiple requests for the paperwork had been made, but the documents had not been returned. According to ICE’s Detention Standards, immigration detention facilities must allow detained people to access their personal legal material. With the support of the OIDO case manager who relayed this complaint to the facility staff, the individual promptly received his documentation.

With a mission to serve as a neutral, objective, credible resource for everyone impacted by immigration detention, OIDO will continue to identify processes that are not operating as they should and work toward results. OIDO is on track to address over 20,000 cases about detention conditions by the end of the year.

“Our goal is to continue to effectively and swiftly improve conditions in all detention facilities, by working to mitigate problems and enhance processes for ICE and CBP,” Gersten said.

To learn more about OIDO or file a complaint, visit DHS.gov/OIDO.