About ONA

What does the Office of New Americans do?

Office of New AmericansThe 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

Derek Maxfield
Senior Refugee Program Consultant
 
Wendy Shoaf
Fiscal Consultant

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