Networks for Integrating New Americans

Networks for Integrating New Americans was an innovative, national initiative that worked to position adult education programs as key contributors to local, multi-sector networks formed to advance immigrant integration. The initiative identified, strengthened, and documented place-based models of immigrant integration to: 1) improve immigrants’ access to effective and innovative English language programs; 2) support immigrants on the path to citizenship; and 3) support immigrants’ career development through training and education.

Immigrant integration is a dynamic, two-way process in which immigrants and the receiving society work together to build secure, vibrant, and cohesive communities. The initiative used organizational networks as the primary vehicle for promoting immigrant integration because when organizations in the immigrant and receiving communities are collaborating and aligned, they are able to mobilize both communities to address common needs, share their unique strengths, and find a constructive path through times of transition.

Networks for Integrating New Americans provided technical assistance that was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE). The initiative was led by World Education and its partners: IMPRINT, National Partnership for New Americans, Welcoming America, Network Impact, Inc., and Community Science.

"World Education started a movement with Networks for Integrating New Americans. Through the development of these networks, we now have a model that shows how different organizations can work together to develop programs that benefit immigrants and receiving communities.” – Dr. Johan Uvin, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education