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

SEPTEMBER 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.

Kicking Off the School Year: Celebrating Our Youngest Learners

In January 2024, Mrs. Safi (name changed) and her two young daughters, ages four and five years old, arrived to Fairfax County from Afghanistan to reunite with her husband who had arrived the previous year. Between searching for jobs and preschool options, the family found the transition difficult. Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services, one of several local resettlement agencies, supported the parents in tackling these challenges including navigating the Fairfax County preschool application process. The youngest child was accepted into the local Head Start program, and the children started preschool and kindergarten this past August. Both parents are now able to work, easing some of their financial pressures, while the children receive an education.

Mrs. Safi shared, "Our family is quite excited for the start of school this year. To us, it was astonishing to be on this route. After the evacuation, it was difficult for our family to manage everything... We appreciate the American people and everyone who helped us get here. I encourage my daughters to rise and move forward."

Welcoming Week, September 13-22

with Welcoming America

We invite our partners and community members to join us in celebrating Welcoming Week, a time to honor the diverse contributions of refugees and immigrants in our localities. This initiative aims to strengthen community bonds and promote inclusivity. We are excited to share the Welcoming Toolkit and Welcoming Standards from Welcoming America org, which offer valuable resources and creative ideas for organizing meaningful events. Together, let’s create a welcoming atmosphere that fosters understanding and belonging for everyone. We look forward to seeing how you celebrate in your communities!

Webinar : Protegiendo a Nuestra Comunidad Inmigrante: Prevención de Estafas y Fraudes| Protecting Our Immigrant Community: Scam and Fraud Prevention

Spanish Webinar hosted by ONA Immigrant Services with the Federal Trade Commission

You are invited to ONA's upcoming educational webinar taking place on Wednesday, October 16th from 11AM-12PM (in Spanish). ONA and the FTC seek to educate and empower immigrant Spanish-speaking communities on how to identify and combat scams and fraud. Multilingual resources, including the FTC "Pass It On" campaign materials, will be shared with attendees. Register here.

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

DHS Implements Keeping Families Together

"WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today announced a Federal Register notice to implement Keeping Families Together, a process for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. This is part of an effort to promote the unity and stability of families, increase the economic prosperity of American communities, strengthen diplomatic relationships with partner countries in the region, reduce strain on limited U.S. government resources, and further national security, public safety, and border security objectives." Read full USCIS news release >>

POLICY UPDATES & REMINDERS

Benefits for Cuban/Haitian Entrants (Haitian Creole | French)

USCIS Fact Sheet: Naturalization for LPRs who had Asylee or Refugee Status

Community Resources

2-1-1 Virginia

Informed Immigrant

Protecting Immigrant Families

VIRTUAL TRAININGS

& WEBINARS

Impacto Latino Entrepreneur Program

Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Mondays, Aug. 26-Sep. 30, 12-1PM

Trauma Attachment with Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Clients

Switchboard

Sep. 11, 2-3:15PM

Applying a Trauma-Informed Approach to Nutrition Education for Newcomer Service Providers

Switchboard

Sep. 12, 2-3PM

Understanding Culturally Safe Mental Health and Mental Wellness

AAISA

Sep. 16-Oct. 28 (self-paced)

Empowering Resettled Caregivers to Engage in Hard Conversations with their Children

Switchboard

Sep. 17, 3-4:15PM

Are Immigration Legal Services the Right Fit for Your Organization?

CLINIC Legal

Sep. 18, 2-3PM

Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Newcomer Families

National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4)

Sep. 18, 1-2PM

Language Access Fundamentals

Welcoming America

Sep. 19 and Sep. 25, 1PM

What Does Freedom of Religion Mean in Schools for Students?

Great Lakes Equity Center

Sep. 26, 1-4:30PM

Community Sponsorship: A Whole Community Approach

Refugee Welcome Collective

Sep. 26, 2PM

Personal Care Aide Class for all ESL Communities

Companion Extraordinaire Home Care Services

Sep. 11-Nov. 6

30 hrs online + 32 hrs in-person

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation's Visión Verde is awarding grants to Latinx/Hispanic entrepreneurs in hospitality industries. See website for the October deadline and September informational sessions.

The SCAN Network provides free e-learning modules on trauma and resilience, highlighting the work being done in Virginia's Trauma-Informed Community Networks. These short videos will help offer service providers with trauma-informed care strategies. Modules available in English and Spanish.

Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) offers free self-paced courses, webinars, virtual practicums, and more to help service providers working with refugees, SIV holders, and other newcomers. Register here for CORE's learning platform.

The Center for Adjustment Resilience and Recovery (CARRE) is a training and technical assistance project in partnership with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) & funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). See mental health trainings and resources for those who have experienced forced displacement.

Reach Out for Life provides access to free mammograms for women in the community without discrimination for any reason. It only takes a phone call to the Spanish or English lines. Find one of the free mammogram participating clinics near you.

The New Americans Campaign equips its partners with the resources and knowledge necessary to support more eligible residents in achieving the dream of U.S. citizenship. Learn about the path of becoming citizen here.