Welcoming Vermont: The Promise of S.56 and the Office of New Americans
Vermont is taking a vital step toward fostering a more inclusive, equitable future for all residents with the passage of S.56, legislation that creates a study committee to explore establishing an Office of New Americans (ONA). This forward-looking initiative recognizes the value of immigrants, refugees, and asylees to Vermont’s communities and economy—and seeks to lay the groundwork for systemic support that is both effective and community-driven. This effort was spear-headed by Working Communities initiative leaders in Southern Vermont, Winooski, and in partnership with Vermont Asylum Assistance Project.
What is S.56?
S.56 was introduced in the Vermont legislature to evaluate the feasibility and structure of an Office of New Americans. This office would serve as a centralized hub for policies, services, and strategies aimed at integrating immigrants and refugees into the civic and economic fabric of the state. The study committee established by S.56 is tasked with recommending the optimal design, scope, and partnerships for a future ONA in Vermont.
Why Vermont Needs an Office of New Americans
Vermont is experiencing demographic shifts, including a declining and aging population in many regions. Immigrants and refugees represent a vital source of community revitalization, workforce development, and cultural enrichment. A dedicated ONA would coordinate services across education, workforce training, housing, healthcare, and legal support to ensure that newcomers can thrive—and in turn help Vermont thrive.
Learning from Other States: Proven Models
Several states have already created robust ONAs that provide helpful models for Vermont. Their experiences demonstrate the potential benefits and best practices for such an office:
New York
New York’s ONA has established a network of Neighborhood-Based Opportunity Centers, which are community-focused hubs offering legal assistance, language instruction, and workforce development. The office partners with over 60 community-based organizations (CBOs) to ensure services are localized and culturally competent.
Illinois
The Illinois Welcoming Centers, coordinated through the state’s ONA, provide comprehensive, wraparound services through physical locations and partner organizations. They’ve become national models for one-stop service centers that reduce barriers for immigrant families.
Colorado
Colorado’s Office of New Americans, housed within the Department of Labor and Employment, focuses on workforce integration and credential recognition for foreign-trained professionals. Colorado’s model is especially useful for rural states like Vermont, where strategic workforce development is crucial.
Green Mountain Welcome: The Role of Regional Community-Based Organizations
A cornerstone of success for any ONA is its partnership with regional Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). In Southern Vermont, immigrant inclusion experts and advocates have recently founded Green Mountain Welcome, a CBO dedicated to supporting New Vermonters in the Southern part of the state.
These organizations are the connective tissue between government policy and community reality. They have deep relationships with the people they serve and a nuanced understanding of the local barriers to access and opportunity.
Why CBOs Matter:
- Trust and Cultural Competence: CBOs often employ staff from within immigrant communities and are trusted sources of information and support.
- Agility and Local Knowledge: They can respond quickly to emergent needs and customize programming in ways state-level offices often cannot.
- Capacity Building: A partnership model helps strengthen both the state’s and local communities’ ability to deliver long-term, scalable impact.
Incorporating the voices and leadership of these organizations into the formation and implementation of Vermont’s ONA will ensure that services are not only accessible—but also equitable and effective.
Looking Ahead
The study committee formed by S.56 represents a crucial moment for reflection, research, and public engagement. By learning from other states and centering the lived experience of Vermont’s immigrant communities—especially through regional CBO partnerships—Vermont can design an ONA that is inclusive, responsive, and future-ready.
A Vermont where all residents can belong, contribute, and prosper is within reach. S.56 is the first step toward making that vision a reality.
About BDCC and Welcoming Communities
Through the Southern Vermont Working Communities BDCC and the SoVT Working Communities team have worked to create welcoming communities by building systems, partnerships, programs and organizations to welcome immigration into the region, with support from the Boston Fed and Vermont funders of the Working Communities Challenge.
