Ready to better support some of our most vulnerable young newcomers?  

Switchboard's new free, online, self-paced course, Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Programming 101, provides essential foundational knowledge about who URMs are, their unique journeys to the US, available programs, and effective support strategies.  

Course Objectives:  

Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 

  • Describe the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program and explain the differences between youth in the URM Program and other newcomer youth 

  • Identify the unique experiences and challenges faced by URMs, including their journeys to the U.S. 

  • Recognize key services that URM programming offers to support youth in the U.S., and explain the role of service providers in connecting them to community resources

Who Is the Course For? 

This course is designed primarily for social workers who support URMs, but may be taken by anyone who supports Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, including: 

  • Case workers 

  • Current or prospective foster parents 

  • Educators 

  • Religious community leaders 

  • Interpreters 

  • Healthcare providers 

  • Volunteers 

  • Professionals new to working with URMs 

This course takes 90 minutes to complete.

Need support? Email [email protected]

This is an ASWB ACE approved course worth 1.5 continuing education units (CEs).   


This is an independent, asynchronous pre-recorded course that learners will navigate via Thinkific course player. Registration is free and ongoing. For ADA accommodations, please contact [email protected], attn: Tigest Coleman. All learners are required to have a computer system and internet connection sufficient to play online course videos.

Course Curriculum

    1. How to Navigate this Course

    2. Welcome to the Course

    1. Who are Youth in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program?

    2. Self-Reflection Check-In: Common Myths About Youth in the URM Program

    3. URM Myth vs. Fact 1

    4. URMs' Journeys to the United States

    5. Staying Current with URM Programming

    6. What Makes Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Unique?

    7. Knowledge Check: Introduction to URMs

    8. Module 1 Objectives Check-In

    9. Module 1 Conclusion

    1. URM Programming and Services

    2. Core Services and Supports

    3. Myth vs. Fact 2

    4. Knowledge Check: Multiple Choice Case Scenario

    5. Module 2 Conclusion

    1. The URM Program in Practice

    2. Deeper Dive into URM Safe Housing and Placement Options

    3. Education Support and Preparation for Independence

    4. Knowledge Check: Case Scenario 1

    5. Supporting URMs: Everyone Has a Role

    6. Knowledge Check: Case Scenario 2

    7. Module 3 Objectives Check-In

    8. Module 3 Conclusion

    1. Course Conclusion

    2. Recommended Resources

    3. Course Satisfaction Survey

    4. Course Outro & Next Steps

About this course

  • Free
  • 28 lessons
  • 90 minutes of video content

Jenna Christie-Tabron

EdD, LMSW, MFT, LMFTA

Jenna is Switchboard’s Senior Training Officer. She is a licensed social worker and associate family therapist who has nearly a decade of experience in treating adults and adolescents facing various individual and family challenges. Jenna has worked as a trauma-focused clinician, advocate, educator, and consultant in the psychiatric, health care, judicial, and education systems. Originally from The Bahamas, she returned to her homeland in 2016 to serve adolescents in the Ministry of Social Services and help launch a mental health initiative for survivors who were displaced after a natural disaster. In 2022, she returned to the U.S. to begin her work with the IRC as the Intensive Case Management Supervisor for the Phoenix office. Jenna holds a BA in Psychology from East Carolina University, a master’s in Family Therapy from Drexel University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and a Doctor of Education degree with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Photo of course instructor: Jenna Christie-Tabron LMSW, MFT

Course Completion

ASWB CE Information

Social workers must attend the entire course and complete a course evaluation to be eligible for CE credit. Social workers will be required to get 100% on a post-test in order to receive CE credit, but they may retake the test as many times as necessary to get this score. Certificates of completion will be issued within 1 business day of course completion. 

Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Programming 101, course #6509, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Switchboard TA as an individual course. 

Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 11/20/25-11/20/28. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 general continuing education credits. 

This course is free to register; there is no penalty or cost for discontinuing the course. To unenroll, you may simply leave course uncompleted but will receive no credit for the portions of the course you have fulfilled.  This course was last updated September 4, 2025. 

Switchboard TA's grievance policy ensures timely, ethical, and transparent resolution of complaints—including those related to course content, instructors, certificates, or other concerns—with oversight by the designated social work consultant and CE director to safeguard fairness and objectivity. Participants may request a copy of the full grievance policy or submit a grievance at any time using the contact information provided. 

Take the course with Switchboard, start today.

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