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Board hears warnings that refugee service cuts could strain Global Neighbors staffing and county support
Summary
County staff and partners warned the Board of Supervisors that cuts in federal refugee funding are prompting layoffs at local providers and may force the county to re‑assess staffing and volunteer plans for Global Neighbors service center.
Polk County staff and partner agencies told supervisors the county will likely face service gaps at the Global Neighbors center if federal refugee funding is cut and local providers lay off staff. County and partner representatives said the county has not yet filled some planned positions at the center and that community partners are already planning layoffs.
Eric Cool of Community Family and Youth Services said three positions are on the books for Global Neighbors and that the agency has kept one vacant because there is no facility space for staffing. He said the agency proposed three additional positions and facility attendants for ideal operations but that net impact could be reduced by repurposing two positions elsewhere in CFYS. County officials said staffing plans remain provisional and that the county will need to rely more on volunteers and to train existing staff as partner agencies reduce personnel.
Why it matters: Supervisors raised concerns about continuity of services for refugees and other populations relying on Global Neighbors, and the meeting included a warning from a faith‑based provider that several local organizations may lay off refugee staff if federal funding disappears. County officials said they will need to plan for volunteer support and re‑size staffing to remain sustainable.
Details - Current staffing on books: three positions (Eric Cool said); one vacancy kept unfilled for lack of facility space. - Anticipated partner layoffs: Catholic Charities informed elected officials earlier that morning it planned to lay off eight full‑time refugee staff; county attendees said other agencies are likely to follow if federal funding ends. - County options: use existing staff to train volunteers and repurpose certain CFYS positions to reduce net new‑hire impact.
Next steps County staff said planning should begin now to right‑size operations and identify volunteer training and responsibilities. Supervisors asked staff to return with options about staffing levels, facility readiness and phased approaches if partner agencies reduce services.
Ending note Officials said they expect Global Neighbors operations to require adaptation if outside funding declines and urged swift planning with partner agencies to avoid service interruptions.
