CHA had the great pleasure to have its first interns from the University of Washington’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies Research group. On May 17th they presented their research "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Psychological Toll of DEI Initiative Opposition on Latine Professors and Students in Washington State Public Universities." Their presentations not only highlight the depth of their research but also underscores their commitment to effective communication and social justice. 

One of the group's distinctive features is its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. Through in-depth interviews with community leaders, immigrants, and preeminent scholars in the field, they employ cutting-edge research methodologies to obtain unique and multi-layered perspectives on issues of critical significance to Latin American and Caribbean studies.

I’m feeling grateful! May ended and I have officially completed nine months with the Commission, and it has been a fulfilling year engaging with numerous community members in the southeastern region of the state.  The CHA team has been incredibly supportive, and it was a pleasure to meet in person our new colleague Victor Rodriguez.  I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with him at the Washington State Non-Profit Conference Celebration in Spokane WA. He has been a great addition to the team.

I’m thankful for the Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue training I attended last month, where I learned skills to navigate challenging conversations and stay focused on what truly matters. I am dedicating time each week to further enhance my dialogue abilities by studying the book provided.  A special thanks to Nancy and Maria for their support in my professional development endeavors. 

In April, I represented CHA at the National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education (NASDME) Conference in Portland, Oregon on behalf of the State Advisory Committee for Migrant Education Program.  The conference was informative, with over 1,500 attendees.

In the month of May, I participated in seven tabling events. We had a community connection session in Adams County, where we had about 50 registered participants, the turnout was great. We had teenagers, young adults, and elders participating in the questionnaire. The Cinco de Mayo event in Pasco had a fantastic turnout, and I enjoyed watching the Colville Tribe’s performance and learning about their history and significance to the area.  Additionally, I had the privilege of attending a Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where I gained insights into the Small Business Administration and the high startup rate of the Hispanic businesses compare to other demographics. 

As we continue to collect feedback from our community, please visit our website www.cha.wa.gov or follow us on social media @somoscha for more information. 

Are you considering starting a business? Starting a business is a big decision. If you’ve never owned a business before, you may be unaware of all the things you need to do to get your business going. Careful planning and research will improve your chances of success.

Business training

You don’t need a degree in business to start one, but knowledge is power. Taking classes and attending workshops are excellent ways to gain the knowledge you will need to be successful.

Business planning

Writing a comprehensive business plan is the first step in starting a business. Your business plan will guide you as you make your business a reality, and it will help you avoid costly mistakes.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) launched a new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website that is specifically designed for people living in Washington state. 988 is the nationwide, three-digit dialing code that connects anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis with a trained counselor. The 988 Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365 via phone call, text, or online chat. DOH’s new website is part of the state’s larger 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Awareness Campaign and is designed to build upon and complement the existing national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website. Read more.

• The form is shorter and easier! Applying is the only way to know how much money you can get.
• More money is available! More people are eligible to receive federal Pell Grants, and the average grant is expected to be larger.
• Washington State aid is generous and flexible! The WA Grant program gives eligible people more money for more types of education like certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college—and the FAFSA is the first step for that, too.

Don't give up! Colleges know some people are running into issues with the FAFSA and many are being flexible. Learn More. 

The Juneteenth Celebration will host over 100 vendors from trade associations, local businesses, nonprofits, and finance. Their goal is to create an opportunity for economic growth and set a path for financial stability within the BIPOC community, and of course celebrate. The festival will be held on June 19th from 11am-5pm at Stewart Heights Park in Tacoma. Read more.

Several state parks will be closed or partially closed this summer due to major construction. Make sure you check alerts and restrictions before you head out.  

Kopachuck will be closed from June 3, 2024 through mid-summer, 2025 for construction. We recommend checking out Manchester, Illahee or Dash Point – all under 45 minutes away. 

Lake Sylvia will be closed from June 10 through September for construction on the entrance road. Nearby Schafer is open, with a brand-new campground for you to enjoy. 

Deception Pass has reduced parking capacity in its West Beach parking lot due to storm damage. Visitors may experience increased traffic and delays. Day visitors should plan ahead, arrive early and anticipate limited parking availability. Parking along SR 20 is prohibited and extremely dangerous. This is a great time to check out Fort Casey or Bay View instead – both are under 30 minutes away. 

The 14 easternmost miles of the Spokane River Centennial Trail will be closed for a summer repaving project. Reopening is anticipated in September. The western section of the Centennial Trail remains open.

WSDOT road projects will impact traffic at Steamboat Rock and Sun Lakes – Dry Falls state parks through October. Get more details.

The department of Ecology is awarding more than $651,000 in grants to fund 14 projects that will significantly improve water quality and the natural environment in multiple watersheds across the state. There are seven projects in Eastern Washington and seven in Western Washington.

The grants will pay for a variety of projects aimed at:

• Restoring and enhancing rivers, floodplains, and salmon habitat.
• Providing public outreach and education.
• Removing invasive plant species and installing native vegetation to restore stream banks and control erosion.
• Building watersheds that are more resilient to climate change.
• Helping respond to an environmental emergency. Read more.