News

Washington State has numerous opportunities for the public to shape policy and make recommendations to the governor, legislature, and state agencies. Making government more accessible and ensuring community voices are heard by decision-makers is a key role for CAPAA.

CAPAA works with the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions, legislature, and state agencies to ensure members of the public, who reflect the diversity of our state, apply for and are appointed to boards, commissions, and state task forces.

On January 30, 2016, an Education Roundtable was held by the Commissions on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Hispanic Affairs, and African American Affairs, along with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The two and a half hour long event was held at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle.

The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) is privileged to have twelve community leaders serving in the role of Commissioners. The Commission will be featuring three Commissioners monthly presenting their perspectives, goals, and activities.

In this piece, we are featuring our Executive Committee, Chair Tufono, 1st Vice Chair Dickinson, and 2nd Vice Chair Dinh, on why they joined CAPAA, what are their goals as a Commissioner, and what they’re most proud of in their community.

Chair Tufono:

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Nepal and to the Nepalese community in Washington who have loved ones in the region impacted by the devastating 7.8 earthquake. CAPAA encourages donations to the rescue and relief efforts that will bring safety and comfort to the millions of people in the earthquake zone.

Chair Ty Tufono and Vice Chair Lisa Dickinson submitted a guest column to the International Examiner updating constituents about CAPAA’s priorities for 2016 to improve education, health and opportunity for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Below is an excerpt:

Whether it’s college tuition, health care access, or immigrant and refugee services, these issues will be among many discussed when your state representatives and senators convene in Olympia for the 60-day legislative session on January 11.

The Commission submitted a guest column to the International Examiner in August updating constituents about the work of Commissioners, staff, and community partners in supporting our strategic plan goals and objectives.

Below is an excerpt:

By Nina Huang
Northwest Asian Weekly

For the past four decades, the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) has worked to improve the wellbeing of Asian Pacific Americans by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, immigration policy, and other areas.