Latino leaders and activists met this week virtually to publish a report with recommendations that, if implemented, would greatly benefit the Latino population of Los Angeles.
“ The report Latino / a Scorecard: A Policy Roadmap to Transform Los Angeles “, by the Alliance for a Better Community (ABC), recognizes the need in the areas of health, education, public safety, economic prosperity, and civic participation.
The report found that while Latinos have made tremendous strides in recent 20 years, still face obstacles compared to whites.
Community experience
Rosaura Andrade, resident of Valle from San Fernando and a single mother of two, she was part of a group of activist parents who were in charge of qualifying the aforementioned issues.
She felt that she participated in e This report was a source of empowerment since she knows first-hand the difficult reality of having to raise her children alone after her husband was deported five years ago.
Andrade noted that in some issues she was being greatly affected with her children. As an example, she gave the lack of resources her children faced having to study remotely during the pandemic. She indicated that the children were behind in their classes and she, because she has two jobs, was unable to help them or pay a tutor to advise them in their classes.
“This is one reason why I want to represent our group of mothers in my community ”, she said and added that she is willing to share what she sees, hears and experiences every day in her neighborhood.
Another participating mother was Luz Puebla , who resides in southeast Los Angeles with her four children. The woman indicated that when processing the information provided, she noticed that her perspective and point of view as a member of the community were vital.
She asserted that in matters of health policy what is most needed is to have unity so that people get involved in improving the situation.
“We already have a document that shows the deficiencies and inequalities… We also we have brilliant minds that have reached a point of what we need to do and achieve, ”he said.
Ratings are based on indicators selected by ABC and data compiled by partner universities USC Price Center for Social Innovation, LMU’s Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Vanessa Aramayo, executive director of ABC, said that Latinos make up almost half of The 12 million Los Angeles County residents but systemic barriers cas still persist.
He indicated that the report is vital especially now that the pandemic has disproportionately affected Latinos in across the country, but which in Los Angeles is very important due to the size of the population.
“As resources from the state, federal and local levels become available, we need to make sure we understand where the investments should be made to make sure Latinos are part of the recovery, ”Aramayo said. “We must ensure that their needs are being addressed and that they are being considered when allocating funds.”
Suggestions
Some of the report’s recommendations are the following:
Regarding education, experts and community members recommended investing in high-quality early childhood education in communities
marginalized.
Invest in quality early childhood education expansion programming including dual language programs and ensure educators reflect communities that teach and invest in the hiring and retention of educators.
On the health issue, they recommend developing healthy environments for Latinos that promote livable communities with access to more parks and green spaces, recreation areas and exercise, healthy and fresh food, and clean air and water.
On the issue of economic prosperity, it is expected that invest and build a a stronger monetary safety net for working and low-income Latinos through outreach and education around the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and Young Child Tax Credit programs, and through the development of a guaranteed income program open to status families during the economic recovery from the COVID pandemic – 19.
Additionally, it is requested to invest equitably in the reconstruction of a comprehensive child care system, which includes opportunities for children from zero to three years.
Public safety calls for increased awareness, investigation and mobilization around responsibility for police violence against Latinos.
To ensure that funds available for community reinvestment are distributed using an equity lens informed by the v oz of the community, including immigrants.
On the issue of civil commitment, it is recommended that non-citizen immigrants be included in the elections and the democratic process by expanding the eligibility to vote in the elections of the school board K – 12 and codifying their ability to serve on local citizens’ commissions.
Aramayo said the roadmap uses data to advocate for change and provides policy recommendations that will catalyze action for Latinos.
“As we move towards the recovery from the covid pandemic – 19, it is critical for us to remove these barriers, protect the progress that has been made, and ensure that all fully share any recovery. ”