Understanding HS/PRS


Since 2014, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has played a critical role in supporting unaccompanied children (UCs) through the Home Study and Post-Release Services (HSPRS) program. Initially serving as a subgrantee to another organization, IRC consistently delivered high-quality, child-centered services that prioritized safety, well-being, and successful family reunification. This commitment to excellence led the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to award IRC a direct federal contract.

Unaccompanied Children in Need: An unaccompanied child is defined by United States law as a child who is under the age of 18 years old and without an accompanying parent or legal guardian. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied children from places such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras seek refuge in the United States annually, escaping war, gangs, and violence; and others enter involuntarily as labor or sex trafficking victims. Unaccompanied children are released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) into the care of sponsors—often relatives or friends already living in the U.S.

Navigating a New World: Facing a challenging transition, unaccompanied children must adapt to new communities, cultures, languages, and family dynamics. Their mental health, safety, education, and legal needs are critical.
 
How We Support HS/PRS: This is where the IRC comes in to provide essential support for unaccompanied children in two different areas:
  1. Home Study: Before the unaccompanied child arrives, when needed, we visit the sponsor’s home, interview household members, and ensure a safe placement. We guide sponsors in their responsibility to promote the child’s safety, rights, and needs.
  2. Post Release Services: Once the unaccompanied child is with their sponsor, IRC caseworkers create an action plan. IRC provides case management and connects unaccompanied children and their sponsors to educational, legal, medical care, and mental health services. Regular check-ins ensure the child’s well-being and progress.
Benefits of Working on HS/PRS
  • With over a decade experience in HS/PRS implementation and our history and reputation as the leading service provider for refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors and other vulnerable immigrants, IRC has a unique ability to scale and provide high-quality HS/PRS services nationwide for unaccompanied children.
  • With a presence across 12 sites and via a national roving team, we address child welfare needs and advocate for more unaccompanied children in need of support, creating growth opportunities within the IRC. 
  • IRC's multi-tiered management structure ensures quality and accountability at national, regional and local levels, empowering our teams to excel. By collaborating with local case management teams, we leverage child advocacy experience and community connections to gather feedback, demonstrating our adaptability in providing the right support and structure for the unaccompanied children program.
Work with IRC 
  • Opportunity to be part of a dynamic, mission-driven team with a network of 17,000 professionals across the globe. 
  • IRC offers sector-leading comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and retirement matching, healthcare coverage, and more.
  • At the IRC, we prioritize professional development. Employees benefit from an extensive selection of online learning via Kaya, available in multiple languages. 
  • Staff can participate in Temporary Transfer Assignments (TTA) to explore alternative roles and programs for a set period, fostering career advancement and learning while maintaining their current positions.

What our employees are saying

"During my two months at the IRC, I have encountered staff from many different backgrounds and cultures. I've enjoyed meeting staff that reflect our clients and can relate to the difficult work we do every day. My favorite part of working with HSPRS has been witnessing the case workers successfully connect clients to resources and services in their area and supporting sponsors."
Arielle - Casework Supervisor
"I have really enjoyed experiencing and learning about so many different cultures. I have found immense fulfillment in the meaningful work we do to support immigrant families and individuals in need. One of the aspects of my role that brings me great satisfaction is the tangible impact I can make in the daily lives of these immigrant families. Being a son of two immigrant parents, I know the importance of able to aid, support and provide resources to individuals who are navigating challenging circumstances. In a way I feel as if I am paying it forward, witnessing the positive changes and improvements in the lives of those we serve reaffirms my commitment to the mission and values of the IRC."
Brandon - Senior Case Worker
"What I love most about working at the IRC is that they have worked hard to be inclusive, inviting, and empowering for us as a team. Working with unaccompanied minors and their families, I enjoy that I am part of a team that advocates for their needs and helps connect them to resources within their community. While we work in a challenging and often difficult environment, I feel very much supported by my supervisors and peers and everyone on the team has made a difference. I appreciate that the IRC is a mission-driven, humanitarian, and agile organization that values inclusion, curiosity, and care."
Yacob - Crisis Case Manager
"During my time at the IRC, I have deeply appreciated the organization's commitment to ongoing learning and development, which enables us to effectively serve diverse populations. Working with Unaccompanied Minors and their families has been particularly rewarding, and I consider it a privilege to contribute to their well-being. One aspect of my role that I hold dear is the opportunity to collaborate with experts from various disciplines within the IRC. This exposure has been instrumental in my professional growth, allowing me to expand my knowledge and skills significantly."
Krystal - Regional Director

Learn about some of our roles

Senior Caseworker
Responsible for assessing safety, developing strength-based service plan, providing psychoeducation, developing safety plans where needed, ongoing assessment and referring and connecting children to community based services.

Crisis Case Manager
Support our high risk, most vulnerable clients. Work actively with local agencies and our clinical management team to provide comprehensive support. 

Casework Supervisor
Supervise Senior Caseworkers and ensure HSPRS program success by driving operational excellence, working closely with Regional and HQ leadership and program stakeholders.

Regional Coordinator
Provides trauma-informed and supportive oversight to the Casework Supervisors and their teams. They ensure that service delivered by staff are of quality and are delivered in the best interest of the child, and that the number of children and families receiving services meets contractual requirements.

Clinical Program Manager
Supervise Crisis Case Managers. They provide clinical supervision, and ensure that services delivered are done in alignment with trauma-enformed and developmentally approprite best practices.

IRC Employee Benefits & Resources 

Our sector-leading, comprehensive benefits offer our staff the support, freedom and flexibility, enabling them to do their best work.
Mental Health Support
Free & private consultation and counseling sessions offered in multiple languages to assist you with managing any work or personal related concerns, such as stress and building resiliency through our Employee Assistance Program. 
Health & Financial Wellbeing
We offer medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance. 
Personal Development
We offer both online learning courses and internal mobility prorgam including temporary transfer assignments (TTA) where employees can explore roles in and across our organization globally.
Generous PTO & Holidays
Paid time off, including generous vacation, sick days, parental and adoption leave, disability and holidays. Hybrid work model and remote opportunities where available.

Learn more about our comprehensive benefits

Commonly Asked Questions:


About the role & expectations: 

Benefits and resources

Hiring and Interview Process

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