The Commission will convene its November Public Board Meeting on Saturday, November 14, from 10 AM – 12:30 PM. Based on guidance from the Department of Health related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, the meeting will be held remotely via video conference call. A dial-in option will also be available for those who are unable to access the meeting electronically.

Access the meeting agenda and other meeting materials here: https://capaa.wa.gov/about/board-meetings

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2263802993765263

Members of the public wishing to provide public comment may contact Project Coordinator Brenda O’Brien at <brenda.obrien@capaa.wa.gov> with the following information: name, phone number, e-mail address, and affiliated organization.

This is a barrier-free event. Requests for accommodations, including translation or interpreter services, should be made to <brenda.obrien@capaa.wa.gov> by Friday, November 6th, 5:00 PM PT.

On Thursday, October 29th, Cindy Domingo and former CAPAA E.D. David Della told  the stories of the Alaskan cannery workers, the assassinations of Gene Viernes and Silme Domingo, as well as the anti-Marcos movement. We are incredibly grateful to both of our amazing guests for sharing with our audiences. Another special thank you to the WA St. Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s Nick Vann for facilitating this special segment.

You can find the full list of Conversations with CAPAA videos on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wacapaa/videos/

The Legislature created the Office of Equity to help government agencies promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of state government including in decision making, service delivery, programming, policy development, budgeting, and staffing. This office will develop and lead the state’s DEI strategy by coordinating DEI activities across state agencies and serving as a resource by offering technical assistance and best practices for agency implementation.

The Office of Equity is now hiring for the position of Director. In this position, you will help the state develop a new culture that centers equity in all its work, which ultimately leads the state toward its goal of providing all Washingtonians with an opportunity to thrive.

The salary range is $109,000.00 – $121,000.00 annually

This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. First application review will be November 2, 2020. 

The Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking a Health Equity, Social Justice and Strategy Manager (WMS3/PD) to join their team. This position leads the implementation of HCA’s vision for contributing to the elimination of health inequities through authentic, collaborative partnerships with other state and federal agencies, community-based organizations and associations, as well as strategic purchasing of health care.

The salary range is $89,352.00 – $125,100.00 annually.

This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. First application review will be November 6, 2020. 

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is searching for a Compact of Free Association (COFA) Islander Health Care Program Manager (MPS 2/OMEP) to join their team in the Office of Medicaid Eligibility and Policy (OMEP)! OMEP is relied upon to educate communities, stakeholders, and legislators regarding federal Medicaid and state-funded medical program eligibility policy. The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of the needs of the populations that receive Medicaid/CHIP services.

The salary range is $59,688.00 – $78,408.00 annually.

Applications are due by Sunday, November 8. 

The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is hiring a Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor (SHIBA) Manager. The SHIBA program provides counseling and public education to consumers about their rights and options regarding health insurance and coverage so they can make informed choices.  The SHIBA Manager is responsible for setting SHIBA Program policies and procedures and ensures that resources are effectively used to support the program goals and objectives.

Salary depends on qualifications.

Applications close Sunday, November 15th.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Division of Adolescent Programs is looking for a Missing & Exploited Youth Program Manager (WMS2). The position will be responsible for developing and implementing statewide policies, procedures, and practices related to commercially sexually exploited children and youth (CSEC) and youth who are missing from out-of-home care (MFC).

Salary $62,328.00 – $90,400.00 annually

Applications close Monday, November 16th. 

The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened relief funding to community-based nonprofits and tribal organizations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic! The WA Equity Relief Fund for Nonprofits will provide flexible, general operating support to nonprofits that are led by and serve BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities most impacted by the global pandemic.

Free technical assistance is available. If you need technical or translation assistance for this grant please email community.outreach@commerce.wa.gov and provide your name, phone number, the county you live in, and what language you need assistance in and we will help connect you to someone

Application closes Friday, November 6 at 11:59 pm PST.

Available translations:
Somali | Cambodian | Spanish | Vietnamese | Korean | Lao | Russian | Chinese

The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is now open for applications! If you have missed work due to COVID-19, but are unable to access federal stimulus programs and other social supports due to immigration status, you are eligible to apply for relief. Recipients will receive $1,000, with a limit of $3,000 per household.

For the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, applications are open at immigrantreliefwa.org from Oct. 21 through Dec. 6. Benefits will be disbursed by Dec. 28.

Apply today!

Funds for the Eviction Rent Assistance Program are moving quickly! The program intends to prevent evictions that would contribute to the spread of the virus by paying past due, current due and future rent. The ERAP is targeting limited resources to those with the greatest needs while working to distribute funds equitably. Its end date is December 31, 2020.

For more information and to apply, contact your county eviction rent assistance program providers.

Open enrollment for COFA Health Care and COFA Dental Care has begun and will run until January 15! Go to HCA.wa.gov/COFA for more information, eligibility requirements, and details on the application process.

The Washington State Legislature passed a bill for COFA Islander Health Care in 2018 and passed another bill for COFA Islander Dental Care in 2019. In response to this year’s budget shortfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor’s Office requested that state agencies cut 15% of their budgets. One of those agencies, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), listed the COFA Islander Health and Dental programs as potential items to be cut. However, the only way those programs can be modified is through the Legislature, where those programs are predicted to be protected and left untouched. Thus, health and dental coverage for COFA Islander community members continues to be available.

If you have questions and for in-language assistance, reach out to:
COFA Islanders Program Support Line: 1-800-547-3109
Email: COFAQuestions@hca.wa.gov

Former Governor Gary Locke and King County Councilmember Larry Gossett recently sat down with KCBS for a podcast episode to for an interview that touched on issues we face today, from Black Lives Matter and community activism to national politics. This segment was produced in partnership with the International Examiner and Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE), and sponsored by CAPAA.

Listen to the full podcast here: https://www.kbcs.fm/2020/10/09/councilmember-larry-gossett-and-governor-gary-locke/

Join the Washington State Independent Living Council (WASILC) for their free virtual disability in emergency preparedness conference, Planning Today for a Safer Tomorrow!

November 17-18, 2020
Tuesday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Wednesday: 8:30am-12:00pm

Please Note: Due to parameters of zoom scheduling, Day 2 (11/18) will appear on your calendar ending at 4:30pm. Conference ends at 12:00pm on Day 2.

To register and view full conference schedule, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hBGh8rZDTAuuVBclp8IiZQ

The Washington State Independent Living Council launched their 2020 Youth & Young Adult Transition Survey to hear the voices of youth and young adults with disabilities in every corner of Washington. If you are a youth or young adult, please take the WASILC Youth & Young Adult Transition Survey here. If you are an ally of a youth or young adult (parent/guardian, educator, caregiver, service provider), please take the WASILC Youth & Young Adult Transition Survey for Allies here:

They will use this survey to:

• Obtain county specific data for youth transitioning into post-secondary education and training
• Identify barriers, untapped resources, and gaps in knowledge to improve transition outcomes
• Produce a written report including survey results and recommendations to distribute to schools, service agencies, and other interested entities
• Advocate and influence system policies in regard to identified need evaluated