Legislative Session Updates The Washington State Legislature is scheduled to convene for the 2022 Legislative Session on Monday, January 10. At the moment, both the Senate and the House of Representatives plan to hold committee meetings and floor votes virtually. The situation will be reassessed every two weeks, and may move to a hybrid model later in Session depending on the COVID-19 situation. Members of the public will have opportunities to participate, such as through virtual lobby days and providing virtual testimony. All committee and floor action will be streamed to TVW. If you would like to contact legislators, you may do also so via phone or email. We will publish [...]

COVID-19 Updates As Washington state COVID-19 hospitalizations reach an all-time high, Governor Inslee has announced several restrictions and requirements to address the public health crisis. Effective Monday, August 23, all individuals are required to wear masks in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, Governor Inslee announced vaccine mandates for state employees, private health care workers, long term care workers, and educators. This includes (but is not limited to): State workers in executive cabinet agencies, regardless of teleworking status On-site contractors K -12 educators School staff Coaches Bus drivers School volunteers Higher education faculty and staff Licensed, certified and contracted early learning and childcare programs License-exempt early learning, childcare and [...]

Happy AANHPI Heritage Month! AANHPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on our history, our heritage, and our future. The last year has been especially difficult for our communities, with the pandemic worsening existing racist disparities in our health care systems, especially for our NHPI and COFA families. The pandemic also brought medical scapegoating, with Asians and Asian Americans facing increased hate incidents as politicians sought to place blame for an uncontrollable virus. All of this pain is a part of our history, but we're also more than just this pain. We are more than media narratives, we are more than the barriers we face, we are more than [...]

Congratulations, Director Hasegawa! On December 22, CAPAA Executive Director Toshiko Hasegawa and her husband welcomed baby Keiko Rose Charles into the world. We wish the new parents joy and happiness as they navigate this new chapter of their lives. E.D. Hasegawa will be taking an extended leave through March 2021. In her absence, the following are the best ways to get ahold of CAPAA: General inquiries: capaa@capaa.wa.gov Project Manager Rosa Mai: rosa.mai@capaa.wa.gov Chair Nam Nguyen: nam.nguyen@capaa.wa.gov Holiday Closures In observance of state holidays, CAPAA will be closed on the following days: Thursday, December 24th Friday, December 25th Friday, January 1st We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season! 2021 Legislative Session: What to [...]

Vaccine Survey, Nov Board Meeting, And More CAPAA News and Updates Meet Our New Executive Committee At the September Public Board meeting, CAPAA Commissioners elected a new Executive Committee: Chair Nam Nguyen, 1st Vice Chair Lydia Faitalia, and 2nd Vice Chair Ekkarath Sisavatdy! We're excited to kick off this new term with these three talented community leaders.   Meet Our Committee Chairs Commissioners also elected new committee chairs to help champion issues important to Asian & Pacific Islander communities. You can view a full list of CAPAA committees and memberships here. Civil Rights & Immigration Committee: Chair Lydia Faitalia Economic Development Committee:  Chair Julio Diaz Education Committee:  Chair Ekkarath Sisavatdy Health & [...]

October is Filipino American History Month This October marks the second year that Filipino American History Month has been officially recognized in Washington state. In the spirit of this year's theme of “The History of Filipino American Activism," we will be taking this chance to highlight the work of Fil-Am activists in shaping Washington history. Join us on our Facebook page as we highlight Fil-Am changemakers then and now: Uncle Bob Santos, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Tukwila City Councilmember Cynthia Delostrinos-Johnson, Bremerton City Councilmember Leslie Daugs, CAPAA Commissioner Julio Diaz, Commissioner Emeritus Rey Pascua, and so many more. Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Help for Business Owners Small business owners now have more places to seek [...]

September Board Meeting Information September Public Board Meeting The Commission will convene its September Public Board Meeting on Saturday, September 12th, from 10 AM to 12 PM. Based on guidance from the Department of Health related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response and in accordance with Governor Proclamation 20-28.9, the meeting will be held remotely via Zoom video conference call. A dial-in option will also be available for those who are unable to access the meeting electronically. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82931154051?pwd=RFVZQ0pOWlJYNFhHYjBQc0xwVlNiUT09 Meeting ID: 829 3115 4051 Passcode: 735186 Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +12532158782,,82931154051#,,,,,,0#,,735186# (One tap mobile) This is a barrier-free event. Requests for accommodations, including translation [...]