Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México and raised in central Washington State, Víctor “Vic” Rodríguez (He/Him/El) is the eldest of five and son of immigrant farmworker parents. Early in life, the importance of education was instilled in him by his mother which guided and motivated him to continue his education and employment in higher education. His higher education work experience, spanning over three decades, has provided the unique experience of connecting with thousands of diverse individuals from comunidades across the United States to demystify the complex higher education system and empower students and their families/supporters to navigate, master, and succeed in the system.
Vic looks forward to continuing to foster his current network and establish new working relationships with his comunidad to open channels of feedback and communication concerning the rights and needs of Washington State’s comunidades serving as one of CHA’s Community Development Officers.
Counties: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish
Contact information: victor.rodriguez@cha.wa.gov | C: (360) 280-2512
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It's hard to believe that half a year has passed since I embarked on my journey with the Commission on Hispanic Affairs as a Community Development Officer. Reflecting back to the autumn months, amidst the changing leaves, I recall the beginnings of my work taking shape in October. The season transitioned from cool to cold to colder, and now, as I gaze outside, I see birds chirping and feel the warmth of the sun enveloping the land, signaling the arrival of spring. It's a truly marvelous sight and sensation, witnessing life awakening all around.
The year 2024 kicked off with a flurry of activity as I reached out to various school districts and NGOs in the counties I serve. This marked phase 2 of our agency's outreach efforts. The meetings served as a springboard for what promises to be a bustling spring season, with many contacts blossoming into events that now fill my calendar. In February alone, I had the opportunity to participate in two events: one at the Othello food bank and the other in Kennewick.
I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with organizations like the Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation, which does outstanding work in serving immigrant, Latino, and underrepresented communities. During the event in Othello, I discovered a small yet burgeoning Indigenous population that speaks Mixteco. Many attendees shared that they were contracted for work—a testament to the growing diversity in the area.
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The Kennewick event, a Migrant Education Program Parent and Student conference hosted by ESD 123, drew a sizable crowd. It was heartening to see numerous individuals stopping by to learn about the Commission and the work we do. Many took the time to complete our questionnaire, and I eagerly anticipate analyzing the data we collected. |
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On March 2, we convened for a productive commission meeting at Mi Centro in Tacoma, WA. We were warmly welcomed by smiling faces and treated to vibrant local art adorning the walls. Originally slated for Spokane, logistical challenges led us to Mi Centro, and we're deeply grateful to Dr. Baca and the staff for accommodating us in their beautiful facility. The meeting covered a range of topics, including a review of legislative priorities, updates on our financial status and audit, as well as planning for the remainder of the year and beyond into the following biennium.
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 HB 1889 was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee! HB 1189 will allow persons to receive professional licenses and certifications regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Commissioner Mejia (on the left) worked in his professional capacity alongside amazing organizations to bring this bill forward and help drive the conversation once the legislative session started back in January.
To checkout more priority and watchlist bills that have been delivered to the Governors desk visit 2024 CHA's Trello board.
 
Fentanyl is an opioid typically used for anesthesia and pain management.
It is also sold illicitly outside of the clinical environment. Fentanyl is available as pills and powder and may also be found in other illicit drugs.
What is secondhand exposure?
Secondhand exposure to fentanyl refers to:
• Smoke exhaled by someone smoking fentanyl
• Secondhand smoke residue
• Pills or powder
It is extremely unlikely you will overdose by being near or helping someone who has used fentanyl. To date, there have been no clinically confirmed cases of first responders or law enforcement overdosing from inhaling, touching, or being in the vicinity of it.
If you see someone who might be experiencing an overdose, it is safe to help them by calling 911 and administering naloxone and starting CPR. Naloxone works to reverse opioid overdoses, including fentanyl overdoses and can be used in the case of a suspected overdose, even if you are not sure of the cause.
Click to Find naloxone
How to respond to an overdose
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Strengthening Families Washington (SFWA) at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in collaboration with Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA), is pleased to announce that funding is available for perinatal mental health community capacity building! We invite Requests for Application (RFAs) from Washington State organizations interested in collaborative efforts to increase community-wide awareness and develop resources to support perinatal mental health.
We will host an Applicant Webinar from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 22, 2024. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the funding opportunity and ask questions.
Review the following document:
Starting April 1, this webpage will be updated with FAQs every Monday afternoon. The final day to submit questions is 5 p.m. on April 29, 2024. Please share this opportunity with community partners and organizations throughout the state.
The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on May 8, 2024. If you have any questions, please email dcyf.strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
Have you been in foster care? Or were you homeless without a parent or guardian?
We're here to help you survive now and thrive in the future.
The Passport to Careers program will help:
- Figure out what job would be a good fit for you.
- Provide money to pay for college or training to help you get that job.
- Provide money for living expenses while you are in college or job training.
Review the web pages within this Passport to Careers Guide to learn more about the Passport program and the people and resources that are here to help you:
Review the web pages within this Passport to Careers Guide to learn more about the Passport program and the people and resources that are here to help you:
Questions?
If you have questions about your specific situation, contact the Passport to Careers program at passport@wsac.wa.gov or 1-888-535-0747, option 3.
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The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) issued a cease and desist against Sigue Corporation (Sigue). AsAs of Friday, March 15, 2024, Sigue is prohibited from collecting any new funds for transmission or currency exchange. It's important to note Sigue has stated that they have not accepted any consumer funds in Washington since Jan. 30, 2024.
If you live in Washington State and used Sigue to transmit funds, and they have not yet reached their destination, you may file a complaint with DFI online or fill out the printable form.
Customers are urged to retain all receipts of payments to Sigue that have not yet been fully transmitted to and received by intended recipients.
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The 2021 legislative session included passage of ESSB 5172, a bill expanding the state Minimum Wage Act’s overtime protections to all agricultural workers, including agricultural piece-rate workers. Signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, this new law went into effect on July 25, 2021. While dairy workers are entitled to receive overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, the law establishes a gradual phase-in period for full overtime eligibility for all other agricultural workers. The phase-in for non-dairy agricultural workers begins Jan. 1, 2022. During the phase-in period, agricultural workers will be eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked over 55 during a workweek beginning Jan. 1, 2022, for all hours worked over 48 beginning Jan. 1, 2023, and for all hours worked over 40 beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
You can learn more about changes in the law at L&I’s agricultural overtime web page. Read more.
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