Office of Latino Affairs Newsletter

iowa department of human rights

OFFICE OF LATINO AFFAIRS 


Our Initiatives



Community Resources



Welcome to the team


Latinos CAN-College Access Network Coordinator

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-cortez-5b2b81121/

Abigail Cortez

"My passion for helping others can be traced back to my pre-professional days. Whether as a member of my school’s Pep Club or part of the campus admissions
team at Western Iowa Tech Community College. You can say I have always  been on a postsecondary education recruiting path. I am excited about uplifting others with Latinos CAN-College Access Network." 

 


PILA March Webinar


Pronouns, what you need to know

PILA

2021 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame


HOF

Many outstanding Latinos helped shape Iowa and continue to contribute their talents and skills to improve the quality of life in this state.

To recognize and honor these achievers and to provide visible examples for tomorrow’s Latino leaders, the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs established the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame in 2017 with the goal of ensuring that the efforts of Latino leaders are honorably recognized and celebrated. 

The Iowa Latinx Leadership Award and the Robert D. Ray Award for Equity & Justice were added in 2018. The LGBTQIA Leadership Award for Iowa's People of Color was added in 2020.

Deadline: July 1, 2021

Make your nomination for:

  • Iowa Latino Hall of Fame (Iowa Latinos)

  • Iowa LGBTQIA Leadership Award (for LGBTQIA people of color)

  • Iowa Latinx Youth Youth Leadership Award

  • The Robert D. Ray Award for Equity and Justice (Latino or non-Latino)


Iowa Spanish Helpline


Iowa Spanish Helpline

Resources from Community Partners


NEWS ON THE MOVE - NOTICIAS EN MOVIMIENTO


1. THE NEW PUBLIC CHARGE RULE IS ELIMINATED
2. TPS IS GRANTED TO VENEZUELANS

From Immigration Attorney, Sonia Parras.

Noticias en movimiento

Future Ready Resources for Immigrant, Refugee, Undocumented and DACA Students

AEA

List of Future Ready Resources for Immigrant, Refugee, Undocumented and DACA Students

A Note to Schools from the AEA:

This list represents areas in which immigrant, refugee, and/or undocumented students and their families may need direct support in making Future Ready decisions. If school-hosted events include family members, it is important to consider the language access needs of all family members. This may include but not be limited to interpreters, translated documents used in information sessions, and sign-language interpreters as needed.

  • Choosing a Career
  • Choosing a College 
  • Filling out College Applications
  • Finding Scholarships
  • Reference Letters
  • Setting up College Visits
  • Test Preparation - ACT, SAT, College Entrance Exams (test taking strategies and preparation)
  • Writing Scholarship Essays

If you have suggestions for sites, resources, or additional information that should be
added to this document, please email Janet Hiatt at jhiatt@heartlandaea.org or Cindra
Porter at cporter@heartlandaea.org


How to use Zoom videos in multiple languages by EMBARC

How to use zoom

 

Burmese

English

French

Hakha Chin

Karen

Karenni

Kirundi

Kunama

Lingala 

Spanish

Swahili

 

 


VITA Free Tax Prep Information



The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Find a provider near you, click here

New eligibility guidelines


Free Support for Children with Disabilities from the Iowa Family Support Network

Rent or respite care? Groceries or adaptive clothing? For parents of children with disabilities, choosing between their family’s basic needs and disability-related items can often be difficult. Many services, devices and equipment are available to aid in development and improve a child’s quality of life. Unfortunately, insurance and other programs may only cover a portion of the cost, or perhaps not at all.   

The Children at Home (CaH) Program may be able to help families with some of these expenses. *

Children at Home (CaH) is a non-profit program of the Iowa Family Support Network and can help families caring for a child (up to age 22) with a disability by providing financial assistance for items or services not covered by other programs.

Examples may include: special adaptive devices, out-of-area travel expenses, respite care or educational seminars for caregivers, special camps and items to make your home safe or more accessible for a child. If an item or service provides a direct benefit to a child and is related to the child’s disability, families may qualify for a minimum of $700 in assistance per child annually.

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE! CONTACT US TODAY! If you have questions about this program or to refer someone to apply for assistance, please contact the Iowa Family Support Network:

*Income guidelines apply


Spend Smart. Eat Smart.

https://spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu/

Spend Smart. Eat Smart. is a suite of high-quality online resources that are research-based and free.

Content and delivery are specifically designed for individuals and families with low income. The website content is organized around principles of good nutrition and cost savings in three different phases: Plan, Shop, and Cook. Information and resources about physical activity were also recently added. 

The website is home to:

  • Over 150 recipes that are delicious, inexpensive, and easy to prepare
  • How-to videos featuring recipes and basic food prep techniques
  • A grocery budget calculator
  • At-home workout and stretching videos

The website can be translated into other languages based on the language the user’s web browser is set to. In addition to the website, Spend Smart. Eat Smart. also, provides research-based tips and trusted resource links to followers multiple times each week on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.


State Treasurer Fitzgerald Searching for Lucky Iowans

State Treasurer Fitzgerald Searching for Lucky Iowans

Events from Community Partners


Jewels Academy’s Award-Winning - Young Emerging Scientists Program - Mobile App Camp Lite

Jewels Academy’s Award-Winning - Young Emerging Scientists Program - Mobile App Camp Lite

Webinar by Health HIV

HIV

Virtual Latino Family Visit Series at Iowa State University

ISU

Black & Brown Business Summit

Black and Brown Summit

2021 Latino Heritage Festival in Des Moines

Latino Festival

Upcoming Office and Commission Meetings and Events