for the 2008-2009 Biennium of the State of Ohio
July 2007 - June 2009

Education.
Development.
Diversity.

This is what the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs is working on for the current biennium. If the three words "Advise. Connect. Build." describe "how" the Commission works, then "Education. Development. Diversity." describe what the Commission is working on.

Beginning in October 2006, the 30th Board of Commissioners began working with the Director to develop a new strategic plan for the 2008-2009 biennium. The strategic plan began taking shape with the Commissioner's annual retreat in February 2007 as the "Global-Ready Ohio for the 21st Century" document, also known as "GROh-21". The most recent edition of the GROh-21 report came out in May 2007 as it was shaped by the budget process in the spring of 2007.

Global-Ready Ohio for the 21st Century

The essence of GROh-21 focuses the work of the Commission on the three areas of Education, Development, and Diversity.

Education.

Beginning in 2001, the Commission published a report about the educational status of Hispanic youth in the state of Ohio. Key recommendations were made to help increase participation of the Latino community, work on closing the academic achievement gap, and direct administrators and policymakers on addressing issues such as improving cultural competence.

Educational Status of Hispanic Ohioans

The work of the Commission on Education issues continued in 2004-2005 with the "Soluciones" education campaign.

Soluciones Website

In GROh-21, the goal is to bring these two initiatives together with a renewed focus on bringing stakeholders together to address the issues identified in the previous work of the Commission, and to introduce new components including legislative initiatives and improving access for Latino youth. The Commission plans to reconvene the Education Campaign Advisory Committee in late 2007. As the advisory committee unveils next steps, those plans will be unveiled on this website.

Development.

Workforce and Economic Development are two programs that, along with Education, come together in alignment with the Governor's Turnaround Ohio objectives. The Commission is working with partners including the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services to ensure full participation by all Ohioans in various development initiatives. As Ohio's youngest and fastest growing population, the Latino community must not be left out or left behind if we are to ensure an economically healthy and vital Ohio in the future.

As specific Development Initiatives are launched in early 2008, look to this website for updates and details.

Diversity.

Learning English. Learning about American history and Ohio's heritage and customs. Integrating with life in the United States. Building relationships with law enforcement, government agencies, and elected officials. Shoring up strong grassroots organizations. Preparing for emergencies and disasters.

These things are becoming more and more important as the Latino community in Ohio continues to grow.

The objective of the Commission is to partner with existing organizations and build their capacity to ensure that Hispanic Ohioans become more and more "Ohioan" through increased knowledge, integration and participation with everyday life in our great state. Building bridges across cultural divides, helping to increase understanding and overcome language barriers best encapsulate the essence of the Commission's work in the area of Diversity.

Specific initiatives include the Grassroots Capacity Building Initiative.

Infrastructure.

Although not one of the Commission's strategic initiatives, the tactical implementation of key and missing infrastructure becomes strategic as one considers the lack of adequate funding of the Commission in recent years. As a consequence, the Commission has devoted the first six months of the 2008-2009 biennium to developing infrastructure such as this new website, the OLAnet Database, OLAnet Calendar, various policies and procedures, and critical personnel actions necessary to implement the GROh-21 strategic plan.