VDSS Office of New Americans

R E F U G E E_A N D_I M M I G R A N T_S E R V I C E S

JUNE 2024 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Office of New Americans (ONA) monthly newsletter providing you with ONA updates, immigration news, community resources, training webinars, local events, and more.

ONA is comprised of an Immigrant Services unit and Refugee Services unit. The Office is responsible for the implementation of a statewide strategy to provide immigrants in Virginia with comprehensive assistance related to employment, housing, healthcare, education, citizenship, and other services.

ONA Webinar: Human Trafficking and Forced Labor in Immigrant Communities (in Spanish)

VDSS ONA will host a webinar in partnership with the CCHT Blue Campaign on June 12, 11AM-12PM. Information will be presented in Spanish. Register here.

Seminario: La Trata de Personas y el Trabajo Forzado en la Comunidad Inmigrante. El programa de servicios para inmigrantes de la Oficina de Nuevos Americanos, en colaboración con el programa de la Campaña Azul del Centro de Lucha contra la Trata de Personas (CCHT, por sus siglas en inglés), los invitan al próximo seminario virtual en español. El seminario es el 12 de junio, de 11 a.m. a 12 p.m. Regístrese aquí.

Shenandoah Valley Bilingual Professionals: Register with ONA IS/New Bridges Directory

NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center and VDSS ONA Immigrant Services have established a directory of bilingual human service providers across Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Augusta Counties and their cities. The purpose is to facilitate collaboration, support, referrals, and professional development within the greater community. The deadline is Aug. 1st to be included in the updated registry. Registrants will receive the full contact list. See survey link.

Hosting a community event? We would love to help spread the word! Please reach out to liliana.penalver@dss.virginia.gov with further information.

Federal, State, and Local News

New Rule Expands Access to Health Insurance for Individuals with DACA

This month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a regulation to provide health coverage to people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who are uninsured, including the nearly 8,500 people in VA with active DACA status. People can visit Virginia's Insurance Marketplace to find free local enrollment assistance.

USCIS Funding under Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the opening of the application period for the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy (CITA), a new funding opportunity under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. To apply for this funding opportunity, USCIS encourages applicants to obtain registration information needed to complete the application process at grants.gov/register.

POLICY UPDATES & REMINDERS

ORR Benefits for Cuban/Haitian Entrants Fact Sheet

HB 995 | Temporary Licensure of Foreign Trained Physicians

New USCIS Fee Rule and Expanded Exemptions

Community Resources

2-1-1 Virginia

Informed Immigrant

Protecting Immigrant Families

VIRTUAL TRAININGS

& WEBINARS

New Health Coverage for DACA Recipients and Other Immigrants

Enroll Virginia!

June 6, 11AM

Discrimination as a Social Determinant of Mental Health Disparities

National Institute of Mental Health

June 6, 10AM–5PM

VAFCC's Free Virtual Summit

Virginia Association of Free Charitable Clinics

June 10-14, 9AM–4PM

Human Trafficking and Forced Labor in Immigrant Communities (in Spanish)

ONA in Partnership with HHTC and The Blue Campaign

June 12, 11AM–12PM

Preparing to Manage an Immigration Legal Services Program

CLINIC Legal

June 12, 2–3PM

Supporting Migrant and Immigrant Families and Students

Great Lakes Equity Center

June 13, 1–5PM

2024 Immigrant Student Success Virtual Conference

The Immigrant Learning Center

July 16, 10AM–3PM

Free Dual Language Leadership Institute

Virginia Dual Language Educators Network

July 23, 9:45AM–1PM

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released new consumer protection materials in multiple languages, including glossaries of financial terms in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Find the new and updated glossaries here.

The HHS Think Cultural Health website features e-learning courses including A Physician's Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Care, Cultural Competency Program for Oral Health Providers, and Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals. Earn free CME credits while learning about cultural competency in healthcare!

The National Education Association and Colorín Colorado have partnered to provide resources that will help educators and families of multilingual learners provide the support needed for their students' success.

Do you know someone who needs to file a complaint about public places that are inaccessible to them? This includes restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other establishments. See the Disability Law Center's online request form and contact information to learn more.

The City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services is offering the following FREE trainings for local organizations. Email Temi Aregbesola or see website for more information.