Debra O'Neal, LCSW, ACSW
Executive Director
(she/her)
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Debra O’Neal is a Professional Social Worker. She earned her BSW from Rutgers University and her MSSW from Columbia University. Debra was a Social Worker serving adults with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. In 1990, she moved to Delaware and continued her work within the developmental disabilities community and later provided mental health services in adult corrections facilities. Since 1994, she has worked in various positions within the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families (DSCYF). Debra was a case manager for youth on probation, a Regional Manager for four probation units in New Castle County, and the Training/Education Administrator II for the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. Subsequently, Debra became the Department-wide Training/Education Administrator II for DSCYF Center for Professional Developmental (CPD). In that role, she served on various works groups and special projects for the division and department. Twenty-five years later, Debra moved to the Delaware Department for Human Resources (DHR) Training/Education Administrator II. Debra completes her State service as the Training Administrator II for the DHSS Division of Health Care Quality.
Debra has been a very active professional and served in many NASW Delaware positions: New Castle Regional Representative, Secretary, served two terms as President, was a Delegate twice, and was the Eastern Coalition Co-chair for NASW Delegate Assembly. Debra served on two NASW national committees: Woman’s Issues and The Black Caucus.
Debra O’Neal is a member of the Alliance of Black Social Workers (Philadelphia Chapter of NABSW) and has served on the membership committee. Debra created a digital membership form and revised the process to manage chapter membership. Debra was one of the facilitators of the chapter’s new member orientation and member appreciation events. Debra serves as webmaster for the ABSW website updating the home page, chapter leadership page, events, and conference pages and facilitates online event registration, payment, and marketing. Debra served as Chair of the Bylaws and Constitution committee and worked with veteran members to update and revise the document.
Debra O’Neal is a Loyal Sons and Daughters of Rutgers Inductee (April 2015) and received the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Delaware Chapter Outstanding Leadership Award (March 2012)
Debra is one of the founders and graphic designer for the publication Let The Truth Be Told. The publication provides a vehicle for Black people and the Black community to have a voice.
Debra serves on several volunteer boards and is engaged in volunteer activities. Debra is the immediate past Chair of the Rutgers University Alumni Association, she is a board member of the Livingston Alumni Association, and she is a member of the HB198 Community Input Group (working to ensure that the Black history is part of the k-12 curriculum as outlined by the law).
Makyla Coulombe-Burke
Chapter Relations Coordinator
(she/her/hers)
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Makyla Coulombe-Burke (pronounced Muh-KY-luh | Koo-loam | B-erK) is the Chapter Coordinator for the Delaware Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Born and raised in Montreal, QC she moved to the US in 2018 with a DCS (Diploma of College Studies) in Social Science from Vanier College and a BFA in Film Studies from Concordia University.
Makyla has worked in graphic design, production, marketing, professional formatting, social media management, and as content creator/writer.
In 2020 she received her coaching certification, and focuses primarily on personal and career development with ethics and sustainability at it's core. Makyla is also passionate about social issues and social justice which compelled her to join the nasw staff in an effort to help social workers and advocate for the profession.
Ask me about:
- Joining NASW-DE
- Social media content
- Using membership benefits
- Updating member information
- CEU certificates
- Applying for CEU approval
- Advertising on our web site
- Weekly Connection (weekly e-newsletter)
Resia-Maria Cooper, MSW
Engagement Coordinator
(she/her/hers)
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Resia Cooper (ray-z-uh / koo.pr) is the engagement coordinator for the Delaware & New Jersey chapters of NASW. born in Brooklyn, NY, to immigrant parents, she learned early on that being a lifelong learner will open many doors. Family ties have always been on the top of her priority list. In 2013 her father was diagnosed with dementia. through that journey, her love for research, her family, with the guidance of a geriatric social worker, she found the strength to be a great caregiver and a passion for the social work profession. In 2021, prior to joining the NASW team, Resia became a student intern of the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
In may 2022, she received her master’s in social work from Fordham University and is eager to enter the social work profession. Resia is passionate about student success, program & leadership development, and macro social work.
Ask me about:
- Continuing education
- Presenting with nasw-de
- Licensing & regulations
- Special interest groups
- Advocacy