Date
Events

The Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs will be convening a public board meeting on December 8, 2018 at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) in Tacoma, Washington. The Commission will be introducing our new Executive Director, Toshiko Hasegawa, providing updates on our 2018-2019 Strategic Plan and the 2019 Legislative Session, and hearing from the community.

Community members are invited to attend the public meeting. We will also have time for public comment.

Board Meeting Details
Date & Time: December 8, 2018 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Asia Pacific Cultural Center
4851 S. Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA 98409

For more information, contact Sam Le at Sam.Le@capaa.wa.gov or 360.725.5667

Dear Community Partners,

Greetings from my first week as Executive Director of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs! As Governor Inslee’s recent appointee, I am honored to serve the public in this capacity and help address critical issues impacting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across Washington State.

The commissioners and staff were hard at work long before my arrival, and I am fortunate to step into this role while CAPAA stands in a primed position to achieve major new accomplishments. The Commission’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, which is in the process of being finalized, centers pertinent issues that impact immigrants, refugees, and communities of color who have been historically marginalized. I’m excited to support and expand upon this important work in the years to come. And excitingly, this year, the Commission secured its authority to formally advise the state legislature and support legislative priorities defined by community stakeholders. In the 2019 legislative session, I’ll be working closely with the Governor and Commissioners to engage community stakeholders and elected leadership alike to put as much power behind our causes as possible. Indeed, CAPAA is a force to be reckoned with, and together we are ready to step into our new power.

I strive to approach each issue and challenge by applying a lens of equity and social justice. The work we do impacts people in the most personal of ways – sometimes, their very lives are at stake. As a society, we’re going to address complex issues by talking about them and proactively working towards solutions. I look forward to listening to your experiences, engaging in meaningful conversations, and building strategies to achieve positive outcomes for our diverse communities statewide.

With that said, I welcome every opportunity to meet with you in community – just get in contact, and we’ll make a plan.

My father always taught me, “Solidarity will win us our victories.” With the spirit of collaboration and the audacity to lead, I’m certain our diverse communities will champion the political causes we set out to pursue. We are the hope that the world needs. We are the change we wish to see. We are the victorythat we deserve. I look forward to all we’ll take on and accomplish – together.

Yours in Service,

Toshiko Grace Hasegawa
toshiko.hasegawa@capaa.wa.gov

From November 1st through December 15th, the the Compact of Free Association (COFA) Islander Health Care program will be accepting enrollments! Enrollments for the program will be through the Washington Healthplanfinder.

About the program

Starting January 1, 2019 the Health Care Authority (HCA) will pay the monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for silver level qualified health plans for eligible COFA islanders.

COFA Islanders include people from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated State of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

How to apply for coverage

When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need this information:

  • Your household monthly income.
  • The Social Security numbers and dates of birth for each member of your household.
  • Your immigration information.

COFA Islander Health Care logoWashington Healthplanfinder Logo

The Senate Members of Color Caucus is hosting the first-ever Washington State PoC Legislative Summit: A multicultural gathering of leaders serving communities of color statewide, convening to identify shared legislative priorities between separate community of color across Washington.

The goal of the Summit is to achieve a unified POC community driven legislative agenda that all communities of color will collectively support. (This is not meant to pre-empt any individual community’s legislative priorities.)

This is a statewide summit with eight separate meeting “rooms” sited at college campuses around the state, joined together using modern video conferencing technology (i.e. a “Zoom” session). Each site will have a lead facilitator and staff to provide support and ensure a productive conference.

This event is free and open to the public to attend. Coffee, tea and water will be provided. All locations have parking and are ADA accessible. Childcare and language translation services will be available at locations with advance request. Advance registration is required by November 1.

Email: Sam Cho at Sam.Cho@leg.wa.gov to register.

When you register, please provide the following information:
a) Your name
b) Your organizational affiliation
c) Which location above you’ll participate at
d) Your organization’s legislative priorities (if already developed)
e) Whether you’ll need childcare and/or translation services (if so, name your language request)

 

The US Census Bureau has re-advertised and extended the deadline for these two Partnership Specialists for Tagalog and Vietnamese in King County.

Additionally, the US Census Bureau is taking applications for a Census Field Manager in the Seattle area.

Partnership Specialist (Tagalog), King County
Posted: September 19, 2018
Deadline for Application: October 30, 2018
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/511103600
RCC2020LA-2018-0259 (External)

Partnership Specialist (Vietnamese), King County
Posted: September 19, 2018
Deadline for Application: October 30, 2018
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/511103900
RCC2020LA-2018-0261 (External)

Census Field Manager, Seattle, WA
Posted: October 18, 2018
Deadline for Application: November 1, 2018
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/513869000
RCC2020LA-2018-0308

 

Community Resources & Opportunities

 

Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)
CAPAA was established by the Legislature in 1974 to improve the well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, and other areas. It has a board made up of 12-governor appointed members that represent the diverse APA communities of Washington State.