Section 207. The office shall have the following powers: (a) to plan, coordinate, monitor, and administer programs that provide transitional assistance to refugees and immigrants and that lead to durable self-sufficiency; (b) to encourage in refugees and immigrants an understanding of American government and institutions and the rights and responsibilities of residents and citizens and to encourage those who wish to remain in the United States to become citizens; (c) to coordinate the commonwealth’s policies and programs for refugees and immigrants including those administered by other state agencies; (d) to promote the accessibility of public services to refugees and immigrants; (e) to ascertain the needs of local communities with significant populations of refugees and immigrants and to work with local officials and community-based organizations to address those needs; (f) to increase the availability and utilization of qualified interpreter services; (g) to promulgate, pursuant to the provisions of chapter thirty A, rules and regulations; (h) to enter into agreements or contracts with other public or private agencies or units of local, county, or state government for the delivery and/or coordination of services to refugees and immigrants or for other statutorily-authorized purposes; provided, however, that no responsibility of the department of public welfare under chapter one hundred and eighteen or one hundred and eighteen E shall be transferred to the office; (i) to administer federal monies received by the commonwealth for services to refugees and immigrants; provided, however, that other state agencies also may receive and administer federal monies for such purposes within their jurisdictions; provided, further, that state funds shall not be used by the office to supplement federal funding if such funding is withdrawn; (j) to seek and receive grants or donations from private sources to carry out any of the office’s functions and purposes; (k) to impose reasonable charges for any services rendered or materials furnished; and (l) to perform such other functions that are consistent with the purpose of the office.
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