December Newsletter: 2021 Legislative Session, January Board Meeting, and More

Date
Events

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:

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!

The Washington State Legislature is scheduled to convene for the 2021 Legislative Session on Monday, January 11. Session will take place almost exclusively online, with details to be announced within the next few weeks. Legislative buildings will be closed to lobbyists and the public; if you would like to contact legislators, please do so via phone or email.

Fewer bills will be passed this Session compared to previous years. We are anticipating that committees will be meeting for fewer days, while floor action will take longer.

Members of the public will still have opportunities to participate, with opportunities for virtual lobby days and providing virtual testimony. All committee and floor action will be streamed to TVW.

We will publish additional information as it becomes available.

The Commission will convene its January Public Board Meeting on Saturday, January 23, 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.

The link to participate and dial-in information will be available along with the meeting materials to the general public on CAPAA’s website prior to the meeting. 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, January 15th, 5:00 PM PT.

Every year, CAPAA receives many requests for ceremonial greetings, proclamations, and letters. CAPAA and the Governor’s Office requires 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 Friday, February 12, please submit the request by Wednesday, January 13th.

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

Every year, APIC hosts an annual API Legislative Day in Olympia, bringing community members from around the state to meet with legislators. This year, APIC is going virtual for a weeklong legislative week! Join use for the 2021 API Legislative Week on Feb 1st -5th!

For API Legislative Week, we will be mobilizing our community members from around the state to meet with elected officials all week long to advocate for essential policies and programs that our communities rely on – such as funding for Limited English Proficient immigrants and refugees, unemployment benefits for undocumented immigrants, and more. Lobby meetings will take place throughout the week, but we will also have additional events including a special address from Governor Inslee and a kick-off at the beginning of the week with API legislators and community leaders.

Details will be announced closer to the date, but save the date and register now at: www.bit.ly/apilegislativeweek!

Share the link with your friends, family, and community! All are welcome regardless of experience, your voice is important and must be heard in Olympia.

The City of Seattle’s Department of Education & Early Learning is searching for a K-12 Policy and Programs Manager who will provide leadership and strategic direction for the K-12 Unit within DEEL’s K12 & Postsecondary division. The person in this role will assist the director in setting priorities and making high-level policy and management decisions that support achievement of the Department’s mission and the K-12 outcomes set forth in the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy.

The salary range is $116,272.00 – $128,960.00 Annually.

Applications close 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

The Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area is searching for a Public Safety Coordinator (PSC) to serve the Chinatown-International District (CID) and is the neighborhood liaison for CID stakeholders, City of Seattle, and community organizations to improve public safety in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. This position is generally autonomous, but the successful candidate will work collaboratively with public, private, and nonprofit partners and will especially rely on community organizations for their knowledge in specific program areas. This position will be supervised by the Executive Director of the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) and reports to the Chinatown International District Public Safety Council.

The salary range is $55,000 annually.

Position open until filled.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking an exceptional leader for one of the largest and most diverse state park systems in the country. The ideal candidate will be an experienced, inspiring and effective leader – one who can demonstrate their ability to guide a team of committed professionals towards a clear vision, and creating an environment that fosters inclusivity, respect, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence.

The salary range is $146,000.00 – $161,000.00 annually.

Position is open until filled.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun recruiting for 550 temporary firefighters to serve with the state’s largest wildland firefighting department for next year’s fire season. This year, DNR crews have responded to a record 1,857 wildfire calls.

DNR provides its firefighters with all the required safety clothing, equipment and training. Applicants should be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work. Positions span different kinds of wildland firefighting such as hand crews, engine leaders, helitack firefighters and squad bosses. Those interested can visit DNR’s website www.dnr.wa.gov/employment to scan firefighting job descriptions, or visit the agency’s blog post.

DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 13 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands.

DNR’s 2-minute recruitment video ‘Be a Wildland Firefighter’ for social media can be watched here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wz8gwIvSSGUnOv-pLPYcGwgats_Q_QeK/view

the Department of Commerce currently has $6 million in capital construction funding available for behavioral health facilities targeting crisis stabilization needs in rural communities in Washington state. The Behavioral Health Facilities program has one competitive funding application open now for grants that will range from $150,000 – $1 million. Grants are for reimbursement for capital projects only.

  • Grant application live technical assistance closes on Dec.14.
  • Application threshold questions must be submitted no later than noon on Dec. 21.
  • Application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 28.

For complete information, program guidelines and application materials, visit their webpage.

The State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Economic Services Administration (ESA) has issued an RFP seeking proposals from eligible organizations to fund prevention efforts focused on: (1) Culturally specific domestic violence outreach and prevention efforts focused on populations that have been traditionally underserved or unserved, (2) Age appropriate outreach and prevention efforts focused on children and youth dating violence and children and youth exposed to domestic violence, or (3) General outreach and domestic violence prevention efforts.

You may access and print a hard copy of the RFP from the DSHS Procurement Website at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ffa/procurements-and-contracting or through WEBS at https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/.

The State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has recently issued a solicitation for a qualified firm/organization to provide a customizable Cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution to support DSHS’ 4 Residential Habilitation Centers’ staff in their daily tasks.

You may access and save or print a hard copy of the solicitation documents from WEBS, https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/, or from the DSHS Procurement Website, specifically at this link: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ffa/procurements/electronic-medical-records-system, without contacting the RFP Coordinator.

The King County Office of Equity and Social Justice requests candidates for an Equity Cabinet to partner with and advise the County on how to ensure that policies, practices, and outcomes align with its intentions to lead with equity, social and racial justice. The Cabinet, comprised of 12-15 members, will facilitate the County’s commitment to lead with racial justice and invest in partnerships that can steadily inform and influence the County’s decision-making toward defining and achieving equitable outcomes.

The lived experiences, perspectives, and expertise of Black, Indigenous, and people of color are fundamental to the success of this work. We strongly encourage applications from people who hold these identities and lived experience. Within these identities, youth, people identifying as LGBTQ+, and people living with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Please read the full Request for Candidates and instructions on how to apply at the Equity and Social Justice website.

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse citizens 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 citizens. 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!

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is hosting a series of webinars focused on strategies to advance equity, increase college readiness, and broaden access to higher education in Washington State. On January 7 from 9 – 11:30 AM, join WSAC for the webinar “From Equity Gaps to Educational Debt: the Student Experience in Higher Education.”

This session will focus on the postsecondary education experience of students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), and will reflect on whether Washington is achieving equity in postsecondary attainment and invite attendees to consider what the State should do to ensure an adequate higher education for all Washington students. The session will feature a panel of BIPOC students from various higher education sectors in Washington to understand the student experiences in postsecondary education and inform the opportunities and challenges for Washington.

Register now!

ANEW’s Youth Exploration Program “YEP” Program provides an opportunity for students to get involved in the construction trade in paid work-based learning internships. The program consists of workshops, work-based learning and practicing skills that will prepare them for employment in the building trades and construction industry.

For questions and more information about this program, please contact:

TAMMIE DOYLE / TRANSITION MANAGER
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
509-368-1005
doylet@dshs.wa.gov

Join Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) for their 23rd Annual New Year Celebration, featuring the beautiful Marshall Islands! The celebration is going virtual this year, and will be streamed virtually on their Facebook page.

Register to win cultural door prizes. Winners to be announced during the New Year Celebration Facebook Live Events. Tune in each day at 11 am to hear the winner of the door prizes.

  • Daily activities and door prizes on APCC’s FB Live Monday to Saturday at 11 am, February 8-13, 2021

Event Lineup

  • February 8 Monday – Opening: Drum of All Nations- Guam, Samoa, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Hawaii, and Korea. Performing countries to include Guam, Korea, and Vietnam.
  • February 9 Tuesday – Performing countries: Hawaii, Taiwan, and Japan.
  • February 10 Wednesday – Performing countries: The Philippines, Thailand, Okinawa, and Tonga
  • February 11 Thursday – Performing countries: India, China, and Cambodia. Bonus Karate Demonstration.
  • February 12 Friday – Performing countries: New Zealand, and Samoa.
  • February 13 Saturday Finale – Featuring the Marshall Islands. Cultural performances and entertainment, highlights, artifacts, and more.

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