Last week, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) hosted its first National AAPI Community Google+ Hangout and announced the release of the 2014–2015 Federal Agency Plans.
Twenty-four federal agencies created plans to improve data disaggregation, workforce diversity, capacity building, and language access for AAPIs across the nation. These plans were created to outline how the federal government is actively working to support the AAPI community in areas such as:
• Disaggregating data to better understand and more accurately define the needs of the AAPI community.
• Improving programs for Limited English Proficient (LEP) AAPIs.
• Opening up the federal workplace to more AAPI applicants.
• Increasing awareness on funding opportunities to the AAPI community.
An Agency Accomplishments Report highlights the major accomplishments of 2012-2013:
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded $600,000 to organizations providing training and resources to hair and nail salon workers
• The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) conducted a webinar to address the AAPI community’s needs during disasters and increased outreach to AAPI media.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) made over 7,200 loans totaling over $4.7 million to AAPI small business owners in FY 2013.
WHIAAPI created an interactive Community Feedback Module to give the public a chance to provide feedback. The module allows users to “like” different agency objectives and submit comments through the “Submit Feedback” option. The site is only open until March 31, 2014, so time is limited to be a part of the interactive feedback tool.
To comment, log onto aapi.ideascale.com and register using your e-mail address.
More opportunities
WHIAAPI is calling for submissions of ideas to expand opportunities for AAPI communities.
Proposals may include innovation, enhanced infrastructure, and effective outcomes for a focused amount of time on a project of choice that serves the needs of and has meaningful impact on the community. Examples include overlooked populations, or issues for which community-based organizations have solutions but lack government support. Submit ideas to Challenge.gov by March 28, 2014. (end)