Communities of Practice Advisory Group (CPAG) provides a crucial space for all PHI/CIRH partners to come together and collaborate on best practices for using Afghan Refugee School Impact—Support to Schools (ARSI—S2S) and Ukrainian Refugee School Impact (URSI) funds to ensure students and their families are receiving the best academic and social-emotional support possible.

CPAG brings members together year-round, virtually and in person, to exchange ideas, challenges, and best practices for ARSI—S2S/URSI funds. By fostering collaboration and sharing insights, we empower and support our partners as they use these funds to support Afghan and Ukrainian students and their families. The Advisory Group also seeks input from LEAs and CBOs to discuss topics that would be most helpful to achieving success in serving California’s refugee students.

Communities of Practice Advisory Group (CPAG)

Throughout 2024, the Advisory Group expanded significantly, hosting nine meetings and growing to over 100 members. Representing school districts, community-based organizations, resettlement agencies, and government agencies, members have come together to explore and discuss a wide range of impactful topics, including but not limited to: 

  • Challenges related to school-aged Afghan and Ukrainian students and families and best practices implemented to support them 

  • Basic needs support through a trauma-informed lens 

  • Afghan and Ukrainian cultural presentations  

  • World Refugee Day Webinar – Building Bridges: Strengthening Refugee Communities Through Education 

  • The importance of Newcomer Guides to support students’ transition to US schools 

  • World Migrants Day and the importance of community and resource building 

Goals of the Advisory Group 

  • To forge collaboration, information-sharing, and community engagement among ARSI—S2S and URSI partners. 

  • To ensure that ARSI—S2S/URSI funds are being utilized to support activities that Afghan and Ukrainian students and their families will access.

Who makes up the Advisory Group? 

  • Schools, local education agencies (LEAs), community-based organizations (CBOs), stakeholders such as foundations, state, county, and city officials, refugees, or individuals interested in improving the academic performance and successful integration of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee students and their families. 

  • If you are interested in joining the Advisory Group, please fill out the form here. Your expertise and insights are invaluable assets that significantly contribute to shaping and advancing our initiatives.

Advisory Group Events & Activities 

  • Quarterly virtual meetings 

  • PHI/CIRH updates via newsletters 

  • Annual all-network in-person conference 

Upcoming Meetings

  • February 6, 2025, 11:00 am —12:30 pm PST

  • April 17, 2025, 11:00 am —12:30 pm PST

  • June 17, 2025, World Refugee Day Webinar - Time TBD

  • August 21, 2025, 11:00 am — 12:30 pm PST 

Contact Us

Submit any questions about the Advisory Group to CIRHadvisorygroup@phi.org.