Refugee program changed

Under a new agreement, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota will assume most of the administrative responsibilities involved in resettling refugees in the state, reported the Fargo [N.D.] Forum.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services remains responsible for unaccompanied refugee minors and for refugee medical assistance.

The state and LSS have worked together for more than two decades.

Sinisa Milovanovic, director of New American Services for LSS, said 10 or 15 other states, including South Dakota, have similar arrangements.

The state and nonprofit together have resettled about 4,500 refugees over two decades and now receive an average of 400 each year.