Administer the Program
Strong program administration ensures participant dignity, data security, and equitable access. For the Persian-American community, administration should be flexible, culturally informed, and available in Farsi.
Enrollment Process
Design enrollment to be as low-barrier as possible. Offer multiple enrollment pathways: online application in both English and Farsi, in-person enrollment at trusted community locations (cultural centers, libraries), and phone enrollment with Farsi-speaking staff. Limit required documentation to the minimum needed — overly burdensome documentation requirements disproportionately deter immigrant and low-income families.
If you have more qualified applicants than available slots, use a random lottery rather than first-come-first-served, which disadvantages those with less access to information or digital tools.
Data Privacy and Security
Data privacy is not just a legal compliance requirement — for the Persian-American community, it is a foundational trust issue. Implement robust data security practices: encrypt all participant data, limit staff access on a need-to-know basis, and never share participant information with immigration authorities under any circumstances (with the sole exception of a valid court order).
Publish your data privacy policy in both English and Farsi. Make it plain-language, not legalese. Explain specifically: what data you collect, why, who can see it, how long you keep it, and how participants can request deletion. Revisit and reaffirm your privacy commitment at every participant touchpoint.
Casework and Support
Offer optional, light-touch casework support — not as a condition of receiving payments, but as an available resource. Persian-American participants may benefit from connections to: immigration legal services, credential recognition assistance, ESL programs, mental health services (culturally competent), business development resources (given high entrepreneurship rates in the community), and financial literacy in Farsi.
All casework interactions should center participant dignity and choice. Guaranteed income is unconditional — do not attach requirements to how funds are spent, and do not use casework as surveillance.
Staff Training
Train all program staff on Persian-American cultural values and communication norms: the importance of formality and respect in initial interactions, the cultural sensitivity around discussing finances, the diversity within the community (there is no single 'Persian American' experience), and the trauma many participants may carry from immigration journeys or political persecution. Hire Persian-speaking staff or volunteers whenever possible.