Ky.gov
Effective: 7/29/2026

G1.31 Repatriation

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Repatriation is defined as the return of someone to their own country. Repatriation is intended to provide resources to United States (U.S.) citizens who are being relocated by the Department of State (DOS) back to the U.S. from a foreign country. Repatriates are individuals identified by DOS as having returned, or been brought from a foreign country to the U.S. because of the destitution of the citizen or the illness of such citizen or any of his/her dependents, or because of war, threat of war, invasion, or similar crisis, and are without available resources. The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). 


Practice Guidance

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  • The U.S. Repatriation Program, administered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), was established in 1935 under Section 1113 of the Social Security Act (Assistance for U.S. Citizens Returned from Foreign Countries).  Within the U.S. the Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) has the lead coordinating role during emergency and non-emergency repatriations and is responsible for coordinating the provision of temporary assistance to eligible U.S. citizens and their dependents. This responsibility was delegated by the HHS secretary to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). ACF serves as the lead agency during both emergency and non-emergency activities within the U.S. During non-emergency activities, overseas DOS conducts an initial assessment and refers identified U.S. citizens and dependents to ACF and/or its designee for HHS eligibility determination. Upon eligibility determinations, cases are referred to the state non-emergency coordinator or designated state agency for assistance with coordination, case management, and provision of temporary services.  During emergency activities, states will provide assistance as described in the Kentucky Repatriation State Emergency Plan. 
  • Non-emergency repatriation is intended for agencies providing temporary assistance to one (1) to fifty (50) individuals.  Group repatriations include the repatriations of fifty (50) to five hundred (500) individuals. Emergency repatriations include the repatriation of five hundred (500) or more individuals. ​
  • Forms should be completed in English and signed by the repatriate and translated orally by an interpreter, if necessary. The interpreter should certify they have translated all forms, including: 
    • ​Welcome package;
    • Form RR-05; and/or 
    • Form RR-06


Procedure

​Procedure for Non-emergency

The Gatekeeper

  1. ​Receives information from the International Social Service-USA (ISS-USA) regarding the need for repatriation of an individual(s) to Kentucky;
  2. Makes a report to centralized intake with all identifying information provided by ISS-USA corresponding with the county of repatriates return;
  3. Conducts an initial consultation with the FSOS and SSW to ensure an understanding of this agency’s role and the repatriation process;
  4. Coordinates with ISS-USA to determine essential information regarding the repatriate(s) which may include: 
    1. Preferred language; 
    2. Health needs;
    3. Clothing needs and sizes; 
    4. Identification documents necessary for accessing resources; and
    5. Any other immediate needs upon arrival.
  5. ​Coordinates with SSW regarding potential resources in receiving county;
  6. Coordinates with ISS-USA and assigned SSW regarding the arrangement of arrival time and initial contact of repatriate(s) at the airport;
    1. Confirms arrival of repatriate(s) with ISS-USA;
  7. Requests cash assistance from ISS-USA if necessary;
    1. ​Coordinates with the Division of Family Support (DFS) to provide Kentucky's TANF rate; and
    2. Coordinates with SSW to arrange receipt of cash assistance. 
  8. ​Provides ongoing updates to the ISS-USA case manager until the ISS-USA case manager gives approval for case closure and provides the gatekeeper with a closure letter; and 
  9. Provides ongoing consultation (as needed) to SSW during case duration. 

The Intake SSW

  1. Accepts a report as staff determination of out-of-state requested assistance:
    1. If a child(ren) is involved in the repatriation, notification of assigned referral will be sent, via Kentucky Online Gateway (KOG) to Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) investigative staff in the county the repatriate(s) choose to be located;
    2. If there is no child(ren) involved in the repatriation, the report should be screened with the following guidance;
      1. If the adult(s) meets the definition of an adult under KRS 209.020 (4) and DOS has reported the adult(s) requires protective services, the intake staff should screen the report for appropriate intake determination and send the DPP-115 to the Adult Protective Services (APS) investigative staff in the county the repatriate(s) chooses to be located; or     
      2. If the adult does not meet the definition of an adult under KRS 209.020 (4), the report shall be accepted as an out-of-state request, and notification of assignment will be sent, via KOG to the APS investigative staff in the county of which the repatriate(s) chooses to be located. 
  2. ​​Provides the gatekeeper with the FSOS contact information receiving the intake to provide further guidance.

The SSW 

  1. ​Coordinates with the gatekeeper and ISS-USA for arrangement of initial contact of the repatriate(s) at the receiving airport;
  2. Ensures an interpreter is arranged (if applicable) before the repatriate's arrival;
  3. Coordinates housing or shelter for the repatriate(s) prior to the repatriate's arrival in Kentucky if possible;
  4. If DOS has determined that the repatriate(s) is an unaccompanied minor, with no appropriate relative willing or able to provide care, will file an emergency custody order (ECO) upon the repatriate's arrival to place the child(ren) into out-of-home care (OOHC); 
  5. Conducts a meet and greet with repatriate(s) at the airport upon arrival which must include:
    1. Informing the repatriate about the program, including that it is a loan; 
    2. Providing a copy of the welcome package; 
    3. Obtaining a signature on required forms within the welcome package including: 
      1. Form RR-03: Repatriation Loan Waiver and Deferral Request Form;
      2. Form RR-05: Privacy and Repayment Agreement Form if repatriate(s) accepts services; and
      3. Form RR-06 Refusal of Temporary Assistance Form , if repatriate(s), refuses services.
  6. ​Arranges transportation for the repatriate(s) or transports to housing or shelter from the airport; 
  7. Assists the repatriate(s) in obtaining and/or applying for benefits and resources applicable to meet the basic needs of the repatriate(s), which may include:
    1. ​Supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) benefits;
    2. Medicaid;
    3. Transportation;
    4. Education, including school enrollment and any necessary uniforms;
    5. Clothing; and
    6. Aging and independent living services/resources;
  8. Assesses other services that may provide assistance to the repatriate(s), which may include: 
    1. ​Preventive assistance; 
    2. Foodbank​​​ referral; 
    3. Child care assistance;
    4. Alternate care placement; or 
    5. Other supportive services as outlined in 922 KAR 1:400.
  9. Records time spent and a detailed description of activities performed in the program;
  10. Consults with the gatekeeper and FSOS as needed; and
  11. Closes the assessment after benefits and resources are secured and the gatekeeper receives closure approval from ISS-USA.​​
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Documents

Revisions