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The Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) brings strength to Iowa's rich heritage. Our three divisions - Community Action Agencies, Community Advocacy and Services, and Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning - work to reduce cultural, social, and economic barriers to opportunities for Iowans to succeed.
We are Hiring!
In case you missed it, the Department of Human Rights has three job openings, and the deadlines to apply are quickly approaching.
You may also visit the State of Iowa Careers page.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
We are celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Month! Thank you to Governor Kim Reynolds for proclaiming May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Here are some ways you can celebrate:
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Siouxland Asian Festival May 14, noon - 4:00 p.m.
Yummi Blox Food Truck Lot
700 W. 7th St.
Sioux City, Iowa
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CelebrAsian May 27 and 28, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Western Gateway Park
1205 Locust St.
Des Moines, Iowa
- Learn more
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Statewide Newsletter for Iowa’s Direct Care Workers Available in Seven Languages for the First Time
Iowa CareGivers enlisted the help of local and regional translators to get key COVID-19 information out to direct care staff and their families across our state.
In late April, Iowa CareGivers, a non-profit organization supporting the direct care workforce across settings and populations served, has issued a special COVID-19 edition of its newsletter, The Hub, translated for the first time into six different languages, in addition to English, including Spanish. The newsletter is available here (English): in Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
“Our goal is to bring forth timely information and provide support for direct care workers and their families for whom English is not their first language. Part of that support is providing materials in multiple languages, made possible through an Iowa Department of Public Health Equity and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Populations Disproportionately Affected by COVID-19 grant,” says Di Findley, executive director of Iowa CareGivers. The organization sought the help of several local and regional translators to launch this multilingual project.
This special edition of The Hub discusses the COVID-19 pandemic from different points of view. It features several brief articles addressing topics such as concerns from communities of color regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, healthcare staffing shortages, the need to use interpreters in healthcare, among others. The newsletter adds a bit of humor by including the viewpoints of pets who got used to seeing their humans spending more time at home during this public health crisis.
“The Hub includes mental health resources and other support resources available for those workers who have been one of the first lines of defense in our communities during the pandemic,” says Findley.
A study conducted by non-profit organization Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI) states that “in the year 2016, 25% of the direct care workforce in the United States were immigrants, totaling over a million workers”. Further, the study states that “immigrant direct care workers come from 124 countries and speak 157 languages”.
Iowa CareGivers’ purpose is to support the direct care workforce so they, in turn, are there to support Iowans and their families during their times of need. Iowa CareGivers also serves in a supportive role and in partnership with employers of direct care workers, consumers, and their families. The mission of Iowa CareGivers is “to enhance the care and support of Iowans by providing education, research, recognition, and advocacy for those who provide direct care”.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and how to access help. In 2020, the Iowa Department of Human Rights, in collaboration with Mosaic Family Counseling, developed a five-part video series focused on mental health and wellness for service providers. Topics include trauma, understanding emotions, crisis intervention, suicide, and self care. View playlist on YouTube.
Additionally, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration has information and resources for specific populations. Visit their website which is available multiple languages, or access through the links below:
Additional Resources:
Preserve Iowa Summit
The 2022 Preserve Iowa Summit is a conference for professionals and volunteers involved in historic preservation. The summit will take place June 2-4 in Mason City and is a coordinated effort of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ State Historic Preservation Office and the city of Mason City. To learn more and register, visit Preserve Iowa Summit.
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Iowa Department of Human Rights
Lucas State Office Building
321 E 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-242-5640 or 1-800-351-4659
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