The Final State of the Union
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New York Regional Interagency Workgroup AAPI Forum. August 15, 2013. (by Everett Lo, Social Security Administration, New York Regional Public Affairs Office)
The Regional Interagency Workgroup (RIWG) of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders strives to share information and resources with AAPI communities in each region across the nation. Over 75 individuals from 17 agencies currently participate in the RIWG, and the New York RIWG is one of the largest ones, with 24 federal agencies participating.
On Thursday, August 15, 2013, the New York RIWG hosted an AAPI forum. The event drew over 150 participants from New York and New Jersey representing AAPI advocacy groups, community based organizations, employers, elected officials, and local state agencies. Participants interacted with regional senior officials to learn about available federal resources, and they joined workshops to discuss issues of importance in their communities: workers’ rights, small businesses, health and social services and housing. Feedback from participants and presenters was overwhelmingly positive, with one participant stating “Yesterday’s initiative contributed to the importance of the work that our organizations do for our residents as we face new and exciting challenges in the future. As I sat through three of the workshops, I saw that you successfully captured the essence and highlighted all the programs that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and so many more of our residents need to have a better quality of life”.
Forums like this help us understand each community’s distinct needs so that we can better serve you, and we encourage you to participate in an upcoming forum in your region. Sign up to receive the Initiative’s weekly highlights for more information on upcoming events in your area.
Dr. Michelle S. Davis, Regional Health Administrator, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Regional Interagency Working Group Member
