This handbook provides basic information about working with Indochinese refugees - who they are, how they come to the United States, and how they can best be assisted in starting their new life in the United States. The first part of the book describes what it means to be a refugee. The second part contains an English version of "Your New Life in the United States," an orientation handbook available in Vietnamese, Lao, Hmong, Khmer, and Cantonese Chinese for newly-arrived refugees. This handbook covers many aspects of American life that are new to most refugees: (1) travel and communication, (2) employment, (3) education, (4) housing, (5) community services, (6) medical care, (7) finances and consumer education, and (8) law. This version of the handbook contains additional information at the beginning of each section to assist those working with refugees. Background notes are included concerning differences between what the refugees may be accustomed to and what they face in the United States. At the end of the book there is a checklist, outlining in appropriate chronological order some of the steps to take to prepare for and work with refugees. (NCR)