Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and connected—especially those who have crossed borders alone in search of a better life. For unaccompanied children entering the United States, the journey doesn’t end once they’re reunited with family or a sponsor. That’s where Post Release Services (PRS) come in.
At Cayuga Centers, our PRS program bridges the gap between reunification and long-term well-being. Since launching in 2021, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that unaccompanied children have access to the resources, care, and community connections they need to thrive. Through compassionate case management, clinical support, and strong partnerships across the country, we help each child and family begin the next chapter of their lives with stability, hope, and confidence.
At the time of launching Post Release Services along with Home Study Services in April 2021, we were only one of four providers. Our Home Study and Post Release Services (HSPRS) department serves children throughout the United States, and to ensure a national reach, we expanded our footprint and opened offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore, and Fort Lauderdale.
Who are Post Release Services for?
Eligible unaccompanied children receive Post Release Services. An unaccompanied child is one who entered the United States, usually at the southern border, without a guardian. These children are taken into custody by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and cared for within the child welfare system while a sponsor is identified. Cayuga Centers provides care for these children through our Transitional Foster Care Program (TFC).
After a child exits our TFC program, they are considered for Post Release Services. An unaccompanied child may qualify for Post Release Services if they have physical or mental health needs, are placed with someone other than a parent, or have experienced trauma such as human trafficking.
What are Post Release Services?
Post Release Services are provided to eligible unaccompanied children after they are placed with a vetted sponsor and leave ORR custody. These services are meant to ensure the safety and well-being of the child in their new environment.
Overall, the goals of PRS are to make sure unaccompanied children are safe, have access to support, and are integrating into their new communities in the following areas:
Each child is assessed for their needs and placed in one of three Tiers, which have varying levels of service. Below are the Tiers of services and a description of the services.
Tier 1
- Case Manager checks in weekly with the family
- Virtual visits are held
- Works with the family for 30 days
- Focuses on making sure the family has made community connections and the child is enrolled in school
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Tier 2
- Case Manager checks in weekly with the family
- Virtual and in-person visits are held
- Works with the family for 6 months
- Focuses on enrolling the child in school, connecting the family to physical and mental health, food, clothing, and legal resources.
Tier 3
- Case Manager checks in weekly with the family
- Clinician conducts weekly in-home visits for the first 2 months
- Virtual and in-person visits are held
- Case Manager and Clinicians work with the family for 6 months
- Case Manager focuses on enrolling the child in school, connecting the family to physical and mental health, food, clothing, and legal resources.
- Clinician focuses on family stabilization and resolving trauma, providing crisis intervention and helping the family to adjust to being together
The Evolution of PRS to Meet the Need
The establishment of the Tiers of services occurred in November 2022, about a year and a half after we launched the program. As we implemented the Tiers, it was an exciting time because we knew the children in the program would benefit from the addition of mental health services provided by Clinicians. Our PRS teams tripled in size to hire more Case Managers and add a new team of Clinicians.
We also created a Support Team composed of Case Aides to develop relationships in the communities. Case Aides reach out to healthcare providers, educational services, community-based organizations and other service providers to aid our families in their transition and integration into the community. They also make community connections in the regions to help meet basic needs of families including food and clothing.
Our Impact
Many of our Case Managers say that the most important part of the PRS program is the comfort it gives to unaccompanied children knowing that someone is checking in on them. These children have been through a lot. They have separated from their family in their home country, completed a dangerous journey to the United States, are placed in foster care, and united with a sponsor in a new community – all without knowing whether they will be safe and protected. Knowing that a Case Manager is a resource to help them and their family makes a huge difference in their lives.
During a home visit, a Case Manager noticed a young boy was uncomfortable speaking indoors, so they moved the conversation outside. Feeling safer, the boy shared concerns about his sponsor’s drinking and inability to meet his needs. He had already identified a more suitable caregiver. The Case Manager helped facilitate the transition, and the boy was soon enrolled in school with access to legal, medical, and emotional support. Grateful, he thanked the Case Manager for listening and helping him move to a safer, more supportive environment.
In another case, we supported a 14-year-old boy who had recently migrated from Guatemala and was placed with his mother. He shared that he was most excited to attend school safely—unlike back home, where gangs tried to recruit him during his walk to school. He dreamed of becoming a pilot but feared his immigration status might hold him back. Our Case Manager shared a story about her immigrant relative who rose from mechanic to trainer of all mechanics at a major airline, encouraging him to stay hopeful. Soon after, his mother told us, “You said something that really inspired him—his English is improving and he’s so motivated.” Our Case Manager’s story of success was the motivation that he needed to empower him to chase his dreams.
We are very proud and humbled to work with unaccompanied children. Their dreams are our dreams. Our HSPRS staff’s dedication to their children and families is unmatched and they make a difference every day.
You can help our program. If you know of a resource that can help our unaccompanied children, please contact us at info@cayugacenters.org. Additionally, if you’d like to shop from the program’s wish list, you can visit it here.
Inspired to work directly with unaccompanied children? Visit our Careers Page to view current job opportunities.
