About ONA
What does the Office of New Americans do?
The ONA is comprised of an immigrant services unit and a refugee services unit (formerly known as the Office of Newcomer Services). The Office is responsible for the implementation of a statewide strategy to promote the economic, linguistic and civic integration of new Americans in the Commonwealth. The ONA also provides staff support to the New American Advisory Board.
Visit the DSS Office of New Americans
Staff Contacts
Seyoum Berhe
Refugee Resettlement Coordinator & ONA Director
Seyoum.berhe@dss.virginia.gov
Louise Pocock
Senior Immigrant Services Program Consultant and ONAAB Liaison
Louise.Pocock@dss.virginia.gov.
Liliana Penalver
Senior Immigrant Services Program Consultant and Community Outreach Liaison
Liliana.penalver@dss.virginia.gov
Christy Escher
Senior Refugee Program Consultant
Christy.Escher@dss.virginia.gov
Kyle Olden
Senior Refugee Program Consultant
Kyle.Olden@dss.virginia.gov
Chantal Skubic
Senior Refugee Program Consultant
Chantal.Skubic@dss.virginia.gov
Adebayo, Adetola
Program Support Technician
Adetola.Adebayo@dss.virginia.gov