2015 Conference Materials
Opening Panel: Working for Language Access in an Anti-Immigrant Climate
Patrick Young, Legal Director, Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN)
Lumarie Orozco, National Trainer, Casa de Esperanza National Latin@ Network
Dariely Rodriguez, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the NY State Attorney General
Moderator: Maryann Slutsky, Long Island Wins
Patrick Young, Legal Director, Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN)
Lumarie Orozco, National Trainer, Casa de Esperanza National Latin@ Network
Dariely Rodriguez, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the NY State Attorney General
Moderator: Maryann Slutsky, Long Island Wins
Removing the Barriers to School Enrollment
Khin Mai Aung, NY State Department of Education
Jason Starr, New York Civil Liberties Union
Moderator: Johanna Rotta, Community Voices for Families and YouthAn overview of New York
Due to an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors settled in New York State, concerns have arisen about unlawful barriers to school enrollment faced by unaccompanied minors and other immigrant children. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) helped uncover numerous cases where immigrant students faced unlawful enrollment barriers. In December 2014, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) amended its regulations to ensure that all eligible children can enroll in New York State public schools by expanding the types of evidence that districts must accept for enrollment. This workshop will review NYSED’s enrollment regulations, and delve into NYCLU’s and NYSED’s work advocating and enforcing those regulations – including the critical role that language access plays. Common issues that arise in advocacy and enforcement will be discussed, and audience members will be encouraged to share their experiences and questions regarding student enrollment.
Khin Mai Aung, NY State Department of Education
Jason Starr, New York Civil Liberties Union
Moderator: Johanna Rotta, Community Voices for Families and YouthAn overview of New York
Due to an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors settled in New York State, concerns have arisen about unlawful barriers to school enrollment faced by unaccompanied minors and other immigrant children. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) helped uncover numerous cases where immigrant students faced unlawful enrollment barriers. In December 2014, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) amended its regulations to ensure that all eligible children can enroll in New York State public schools by expanding the types of evidence that districts must accept for enrollment. This workshop will review NYSED’s enrollment regulations, and delve into NYCLU’s and NYSED’s work advocating and enforcing those regulations – including the critical role that language access plays. Common issues that arise in advocacy and enforcement will be discussed, and audience members will be encouraged to share their experiences and questions regarding student enrollment.
| removing_the_barriers_to_school_enrollment.pdf |
From SNAP to CPS: Advocating for Language Access with the Department of Social Services
Keiko Cervantes-Ospina, Supervising Attorney, New York Legal Assistance Group
Linda Hassberg, Senior Attorney, Empire Justice Center
Ginette Rows, Cofounder and Director, YAM Community Resource, Inc.
The Department of Social Services administers many essential programs, including cash assistance, SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, emergency housing, child care and protective and preventive services. Failure to provide language assistance may have devastating consequences and result in homelessness and even the separation of families. This workshop will review the Department of Social Services’ legal obligations to provide language access and what advocates can do to ensure that the rights of limited English proficient applicants and recipients are protected. Particular attention will be paid to language access problems faced by the Haitian community.
Keiko Cervantes-Ospina, Supervising Attorney, New York Legal Assistance Group
Linda Hassberg, Senior Attorney, Empire Justice Center
Ginette Rows, Cofounder and Director, YAM Community Resource, Inc.
The Department of Social Services administers many essential programs, including cash assistance, SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, emergency housing, child care and protective and preventive services. Failure to provide language assistance may have devastating consequences and result in homelessness and even the separation of families. This workshop will review the Department of Social Services’ legal obligations to provide language access and what advocates can do to ensure that the rights of limited English proficient applicants and recipients are protected. Particular attention will be paid to language access problems faced by the Haitian community.
Expanding Healthcare Access and Affordable Insurance Options
In the wake of recent court decisions and advocacy efforts, there are now new options for low-to-moderate income and limited English proficient individuals and families to gain access to healthcare in New York State. Presenters will discuss local advocacy efforts aimed at increasing health insurance enrollment via New York State of Health Marketplace (NYSOH), and will provide a comprehensive overview of the Essential Plan, a new insurance affordability program that allows New Yorkers to gain access to truly affordable insurance. Options for undocumented individuals will also be discussed.
In the wake of recent court decisions and advocacy efforts, there are now new options for low-to-moderate income and limited English proficient individuals and families to gain access to healthcare in New York State. Presenters will discuss local advocacy efforts aimed at increasing health insurance enrollment via New York State of Health Marketplace (NYSOH), and will provide a comprehensive overview of the Essential Plan, a new insurance affordability program that allows New Yorkers to gain access to truly affordable insurance. Options for undocumented individuals will also be discussed.
Working for Justice in Policing Practices and Policies
Susan Shah, Chief of Staff, Vera Institute of Justice
Nancy Trasande, Senior Counsel, Latino Justice/PRLDEF
Anjana Samant, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Office of the NY State Attorney General
Moderator: Cheryl Keshner, Senior Paralegal/Community Advocate, Empire Justice Center
As our nation turns its attention to the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color, ensuring effective, non-biased communication between police and immigrant communities must be a part of this discussion. Presenters will discuss recent legal challenges to discriminatory law enforcement practices, organizing campaigns, best practices and enforcement efforts to ensure language access. Key components of effective law enforcement language access efforts will be reviewed, including how to foster true culture change in the realm of police -community relations.
Susan Shah, Chief of Staff, Vera Institute of Justice
Nancy Trasande, Senior Counsel, Latino Justice/PRLDEF
Anjana Samant, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Office of the NY State Attorney General
Moderator: Cheryl Keshner, Senior Paralegal/Community Advocate, Empire Justice Center
As our nation turns its attention to the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color, ensuring effective, non-biased communication between police and immigrant communities must be a part of this discussion. Presenters will discuss recent legal challenges to discriminatory law enforcement practices, organizing campaigns, best practices and enforcement efforts to ensure language access. Key components of effective law enforcement language access efforts will be reviewed, including how to foster true culture change in the realm of police -community relations.
| working_for_justice_in_policing_practices_and_policies.pptx |
Organizing Workers through Language Access and Literacy Challenges
Nathan Berger, Long Island Outreach Coordinator, Rural and Migrant Ministry
Luna Ranjit, Founder/ Director, Adhikaar
Jorge Montalvo, Deputy Secretary, NY State Office of New Americans
Moderator: Victoria Daza, Campaign Organizer for Immigrants; Rights, LI Jobs with Justice.
This workshop will explore the ways language barriers and literacy challenges impact immigrant workers with limited English proficiency. Panelists will discuss three campaigns local to Long Island- Nepalese workers fighting wage theft at a Brentwood gas station, nail salon workers dealing with toxic chemicals and their victory against unsafe working conditions, and literacy and the impact on immigrant farmworkers on the East End.
Nathan Berger, Long Island Outreach Coordinator, Rural and Migrant Ministry
Luna Ranjit, Founder/ Director, Adhikaar
Jorge Montalvo, Deputy Secretary, NY State Office of New Americans
Moderator: Victoria Daza, Campaign Organizer for Immigrants; Rights, LI Jobs with Justice.
This workshop will explore the ways language barriers and literacy challenges impact immigrant workers with limited English proficiency. Panelists will discuss three campaigns local to Long Island- Nepalese workers fighting wage theft at a Brentwood gas station, nail salon workers dealing with toxic chemicals and their victory against unsafe working conditions, and literacy and the impact on immigrant farmworkers on the East End.
Improving Program Access for People with Vision and Hearing Challenges
Valerie Lewis, Administrator of Outreach Services, Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Heather West, Certified Sign Language Interpreter, SignTalk
Moderator: Vinny Aguilar, Language Access Services Manager, Southside Hospital
This workshop will provide resources for best practices and offer demonstrations of equipment that will help you to make your services accessible to all. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that your organization's/agency's services and materials be available in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities. In addition to the physical space, all informational and promotional materials must be accessible to individuals who cannot use traditional print/visual materials. SignTalk's presentation will discuss D/deaf & hard of hearing communities, aspects of Deaf Culture, modes of communication, and best practices for requesting and working with interpreters and consumers. Technology including Video Phones, Video Relay Service and Video Remote Interpreting will also be explained and demonstrated.
Valerie Lewis, Administrator of Outreach Services, Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Heather West, Certified Sign Language Interpreter, SignTalk
Moderator: Vinny Aguilar, Language Access Services Manager, Southside Hospital
This workshop will provide resources for best practices and offer demonstrations of equipment that will help you to make your services accessible to all. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that your organization's/agency's services and materials be available in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities. In addition to the physical space, all informational and promotional materials must be accessible to individuals who cannot use traditional print/visual materials. SignTalk's presentation will discuss D/deaf & hard of hearing communities, aspects of Deaf Culture, modes of communication, and best practices for requesting and working with interpreters and consumers. Technology including Video Phones, Video Relay Service and Video Remote Interpreting will also be explained and demonstrated.
| improving_program_access_for_people_with_vision_and_hearing_challenges.ppt |
From Lending to Foreclosure: Protecting the Rights of LEP Homeowners
Gale Berg, Director of Pro Bono Services, Nassau County Bar Association
Rose Marie Cantanno, Supervising Attorney, New York Legal Assistance Group
Maria DeGennaro, Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center
Jessica Huaman, Fair Lending Investigator, Long Island Housing Services
Homeowners and homebuyers who are limited English proficient are frequently victims of predatory lending, deceptive mortgage servicing and loan modification scams. Find out what work has been done collaboratively by local advocates to improve notification to LEP homeowners, to prevent the fast tracking of foreclosures and to ensure translation and interpretation services throughout the foreclosure process.
Gale Berg, Director of Pro Bono Services, Nassau County Bar Association
Rose Marie Cantanno, Supervising Attorney, New York Legal Assistance Group
Maria DeGennaro, Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center
Jessica Huaman, Fair Lending Investigator, Long Island Housing Services
Homeowners and homebuyers who are limited English proficient are frequently victims of predatory lending, deceptive mortgage servicing and loan modification scams. Find out what work has been done collaboratively by local advocates to improve notification to LEP homeowners, to prevent the fast tracking of foreclosures and to ensure translation and interpretation services throughout the foreclosure process.
| from_lending_to_foreclosure_protecting_the_rights_of_lep_homeowners.pptx |
