December Newsletter: Happy Holidays!

Date

As we move into 2022, we leave a year unlike any other. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve the ANHPI communities of the state of Washington.

In this last year, we’ve helped coordinate vaccinations and pushed to prioritize the members of our community who were most at-risk, and ensured that everyone had the information they needed to stay safe and healthy. We’ve held conversations with community leaders and elected officials to uplift the stories and voices in our communities. We spoke out against the rise in anti-Asian hate and provided resources to report instances of hate and discrimination.

We are also eternally grateful to our partners in community, who work tirelessly to bring voice and visibility to the issues and solutions impacting the lives of our diverse communities across Washington State. We look forward to championing the challenges to come, together.

Holiday card, with full staff and commissioners

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Satpal Singh Sidhu to the Commission!

Commissioner Sidhu currently serves as Whatcom County Executive – the first Asian American elected to that role in Whatcom County history. He is also the first CAPAA Commissioner to represent Whatcom County, which has one of the densest populations of ANHPI’s in Washington State. He will join the Economic Development and Education committees, and will make a valuable contributor towards fulfilling our mission of improving the lives of ANHPI Washingtonians statewide. Please join us in welcoming Commissioner Sidhu!

Read more about Commissioner Sidhu and our other commissioners at Commissioners/

Satpal Sidhu welcome picture

After nearly three years of helping to guide the work of CAPAA, Project Manager Rosa Mai will be departing her role on January 7th. Rosa joined CAPAA in June 2019 and has worked diligently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to streamline and optimize the work of the Commission. She managed all communications coming through the agency. She helped realize the agency’s newfound power to lobby the legislature by establishing a system for legislative tracking and advocacy. She re-vamped CAPAA’s public webpage and compiled multiple resources for public use, including resources for reporting hate and discrimination, LGBTQ+ resources, and immigration resources.

Rosa is leaving the Commission to pursue a new opportunity in the office of Metropolitan King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, serving District 2. Her last day at the Commission will be January 7, 2022.

She says, “It has been a true honor to work for the Commission, I hope that my work has and will continue to help the ANHPI communities of Washington state to survive and to thrive.”

We will miss Rosa deeply, and wish her the best as she continues public service in a new capacity. We are deeply grateful to her for her years of service on behalf of the Commission, and offer our heartfelt thanks for all her many good works at the State.

Applications for the position of Project Manager are now open and will close on Sunday, January 2nd. For more information, contact capaa@capaa.wa.gov.

The Washington State Legislature is scheduled to convene for the 2022 Legislative Session on Monday, January 10. Session will take place in a hybrid model, with committees meeting virtually and floor votes happening in person.

Members of the public will have opportunities to participate, with opportunities for virtual lobby days and providing virtual testimony. All committee and floor action will be streamed to TVW. Gallery viewings of floor proceedings may be possible with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours.

If you would like to contact legislators, you may do so via phone or email.

We will publish additional information as it becomes available.

Every year, CAPAA receives many requests for ceremonial greetings, proclamations, and letters. CAPAA and the Governor’s Office require at least 30 days’ advance notice to process these requests. For instance, if you would like a letter of greeting for an event happening on Lunar New Year on Tuesday, February 1, please submit the request by Friday, December 31.

For more information on requesting ceremonial proclamations, letters, and greetings, go to https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/requests-invites/request-ceremonial-proclamation-greeting-or-letter

CAPAA has sponsorship opportunities available for community organizations holding events!

Our mission is to improve the lives of Asian Pacific Americans in Washington State by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, and other areas. To that end, the Commission has the capabilities to provide fiscal sponsorship as co-sponsor for a celebration, event, or organizing effort. Before applying for sponsorship, please read all criteria, guideline, and stipulations for sponsorship at Apply for Sponsorship

Requests must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the event.

If you have any questions, contact capaa@capaa.wa.gov or at 253-229-9826.

The Washington State Department of Commerce has an open solicitation for nonprofit organizations who may be interested in joining the Small Business Resiliency Network.

Commerce’s Small Business Resiliency Network is comprised of trusted community organizations that provide culturally appropriate outreach and business support services in historically disadvantaged communities. The Network helps ensure business owners have equitable access to critical information from the people and organizations they trust.

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying are encouraged to read through the full solicitation on the website and attend an information/listening session to learn more about how to better support economic resilience and success in their own communities as a member of the Small Business Resiliency Network.

Close Date: Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. PST

The 2021 Language Access Work Group recently released their 2021 Report to the Legislature,

The 2021 Language Access Workgroup (LAW) was established by Section 501(3)(g) of the 2021 budget bill (ESSB 5092) to reconvene the Language Access Workgroup in order to make expanded recommendations on:

  • standards, training, testing, and credentialing for spoken and sign language interpreters for students’ families and
  • for collecting information related to language access services in schools and school districts.

Read the full report on their website: https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/workgroups-committees/currently-meeting-workgroups/language-access-workgroup

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to all Washington residents ages 5 and up. If you or a loved one have not yet been vaccinated, there’s an easy way to find vaccinations near you! The Washington State Department of Health has a Vaccine Locator page available, or you can call 1-800-525-0127. Language assistance is available.

If you or someone you know is homebound and not able to leave the house to get the COVID-19 vaccine, homebound vaccination services are available through this survey: https://redcap.link/WA_HomeBasedVax.

vaccine locator information

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse residents who all have unique talents, skills and experiences. Governor Inslee places a high priority on boards, commissions, and agencies that are reflective of the diverse make-up of Washington and that utilize the impressive talent of our residents. We are always seeking skilled and experienced individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in boards and commissions ensuring an effective and representative government.

We are excited to share the highlighted Current and Upcoming Gubernatorial Appointment Opportunities.

As someone with deep roots in your respective communities and organizations, we hope that you will share these opportunities. Anyone interested in being appointed will need to fill out this Application. Please explore the Boards and Commissions Profiles if you are interested in learning more about the many opportunities to get involved.

Legal Director | American Civil Liberties Union | January 15, 2022

Associate Regional Director | Anti-Defamation League | Open until filled

Tax & License Field Auditor | City of Tacoma Department of Finance | January 3, 2022

Finance & Grants Director | Densho | Open until filled

Asian American Disinformation Table Coordinator | National Council of Asian Pacific Americans | Open until filled

Community Engagement Director | National Council of Asian Pacific Americans | Open until filled

SODO Community Market Assistant | Northwest Harvest | Open until filled

Legal Advocate | Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | Open until filled

Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator | Puget Sound Partnership | January 2, 2022

Project Manager | Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs | January 6, 2022

Pharmacy and Health Records Operations Manager | Washington State Department of Corrections | Open until filled

Construction Stormwater Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) | Washington State Department of Ecology | Open until filled

Eastern Regional Compliance and Enforcement Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) | Washington State Department of Ecology | Open until filled

Human Resource Business Services Consultant (Management Analyst 4) | Washington State Department of Ecology | Open until filled

Marine Monitoring Unit (MMU) Supervisor (WMS Band 1) | Washington State Department of Ecology | Open until filled

Municipal Stormwater Grant Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) | Washington State Department of Ecology | Open until filled

Senior Regional Shoreline Planner (Environmental Planner 4) | Washington State Department of Ecology | Open until filled

Fiscal Analyst 3 / Tax & Retirement Desk | Washington State Department of Enterprise Services | January 2, 2022

HR Business Partner | Washington State Department of Enterprise Services | December 28, 2021

Washington State Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training | Washington State Department of Enterprise Services | Open until filled

Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 – Habitat Biologist | Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife | January 9, 2022

Welder – Capital and Asset Management Program | Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife | December 29, 2021

Westside SGCN Habitat Restoration Coordinator – Environmental Planner 4 | Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife | January 5, 2022

Administrative Assistant 5 | Washington State Department of Health | Open until filled

Health Disparities Council Manager | Washington State Department of Health | Open until filled

DSHS ESH Chief Executive Officer | Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | December 27, 2021

Associate Legislative Assistant to House Democratic Caucus Member | Washington State House of Representatives | Open until filled

House Democratic Caucus Policy Counsel | Washington State House of Representatives | December 27, 2021

Public Records Assistant | Washington State House of Representatives | Open until filled

Session Aide to House Democratic Caucus Member | Washington State House of Representatives | Open until filled

Executive Director | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Legal and Legislative Manager | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Special Agent (Bellingham/Burlington/Everett/Oak Harbor/Anacortes) | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Special Agent (Federal Way) | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Special Agent (Quincy/Moses Lake/Othello/Yakima) | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Special Agent (Spokane) | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Special Agent (Tribal Gaming Unit) | Washington State Gambling Commission | Open until filled

Senior Project Manager | Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner | Open until filled

2022 Session Committee Assistant | Washington State Senate Committee Services | Open until filled

Small Business Resiliency Network Member Solicitation | Washington State Department of Commerce | January 7, 2022

Electronic Fingerprinting Services | Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | January 14, 2022

Parent to Parent Services RFQ | Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | January 11, 2022