Social Services provided for Refugees by the different Counties and entities

April 24, 2003: The SAWO (General Secretariat) held a Seminar on “Social Services provided for Refugees by the different Counties and entities”. The panel included speakers representing several counties and organizations. Each representative provided a comprehensive briefing about services provided by their organizations, in the fields of Employment, Education and Childcare, Health and Food Assistance. The Audience were able to discuss their concerns, and ask questions and establish contacts with these representatives for future inquiry.

Speakers and Presentations:

• Ali Abdelrazig: Department of Social Services –VA (Elderly Assistance Project REAP): “Available Services for elderly asylees and refugees, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Employment”.
• Seyom Berhe: Director of Arlington Diocese Office of Resettlement: “Agency’s Role in receiving newcomers and services available to them including job placement”.
• Ronda Dent: Trial Attorney-Department of Justice: “Employment discrimination and its legal handling”.
• Jean Westcott: Social Worker-City of Alexandria: “Child Care Fee System”.
• Judy Martin: Social Worker-City of Alexandria: “Quality Child Care and application process to become a Child Care Provider”.
• Melanie Fenwick: Senior Worker-Department of Family Services-Fairfax County: “Family benefits provided by the Department, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, Cash Assistance”.