On the Frontlines

Our community's response to the challenges facing immigrants in

Central Texas

Presentation by the Immigrant Services Network of AustinImmigration, Education and Our Future February 6, 2009

Today’s Presentation

Review themes and next steps from the 2006-2007 Immigrant Assessment

History of the Immigrant Services Network of Austin (ISNA)

Who is ISNA Now? ISNA’s Current Work Get Involved!

Brought about by demographic change in Travis County: Between 1990 and 2005, the foreign-born population grew by 230% (about

45,000 to 148,000) Stakeholders with a common interest partnered to explore these trends:

Partners included: Catholic Charities of Central Texas, City of Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs, Community Action Network, Travis County Health and Human Services & Veterans Service

Two-part research process over 2006-2007: Primary research (18 focus groups, a provider forum) Secondary research (literature review, data analysis)

Explored seven key topics vis-à-vis immigrant issues Major emerging themes were …

The Immigrant Assessment

Acknowledge that immigrants are and will continue to be an integral part of the community.

What role do the public, private, and nonprofit sectors play in helping or hindering the integration of immigrants?

To what extent does the community’s response to other issues (such as basic needs and healthcare) accommodate the immigrant population?

How can the community capitalize upon immigrants’ economic and cultural contributions?

Immigrants impact the Travis County community.

What Next?

Findings

Key Questions

Identify ways to improve service delivery to immigrants.

How can the community adapt existing institutions, systems, and planning efforts to be more inclusive of immigrant populations?

How can the community develop or expand capacity to serve immigrant populations/address immigrant issues that fall outside the traditional service delivery system?

What initiatives are taking place within immigrant communities? How can local resources support them?

Some immigrant sub-populations have higher needs and encounter greater challenges.

Findings

Key Questions

What Next?

Convene stakeholders for information sharing.

What information do different stakeholders need, and how can this information be appropriately delivered to different sectors?

What information systems and outreach/training efforts already exist? How can we build on them?

If comprehensive immigration reform occurs, what potential impacts could be expected on the local level? What planning or action would be needed?

Immigration systems, and the laws and policies related to them, are complex, changing and frequently unclear.

Findings

Key Questions

What Next?

Impact policy.

What are the community’s interests in meeting the needs of immigrant residents?

What policies can be developed or modified locally?

How can the local community best communicate its messages and who is best situated to do it?

Federal, state, and local authorities often disagree on who is responsible for the immigration issue.

Findings

Key Questions

What Next?

Action Since the Assessment

Community Forum held June 2007 Formal release of the Assessment Marked the end of the Assessment process and began the

community process

Immigrant Services Network of Austin (ISNA) then took a lead on immigrant issues First Immigrant Services Network started in 2003-

Immigrant service providers began meeting quarterly for networking and information sharing

After the assessment, a natural fit for this group to steward next steps and take a new role as a planning/action body

Overview of ISNA Now

Mission: ISNA is a working group of diverse community stakeholders and immigrant service providers operating together to coordinate efforts, increase public awareness, and inform policy, in order to better serve the immigrant community.

Vision: ISNA promotes the success and well-being of immigrants in order to secure the long-term prosperity of the entire community.

ISNA Membership American Gateways (formerly the Political Asylum Project of Austin) Austin Community College Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition Austin Police Department, Victim Services Austin Public Library Catholic Charities of Central Texas English at Work Foundation Communities / Community Tax Centers Immigration Counseling and Outreach Services The Law Offices of Thomas J. Esparza, Jr. Literacy Coalition of Central Texas SafePlace Travis County Health and Human Services & Veterans Service Travis County Sheriff’s Office Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Victim Services Workers Defense Project / Proyecto Defensa Laboral (PDL And several individual volunteers

Other Contributors Austin Police Department, Office of the Community Liaison Caritas of Austin Casa Marianella / Posada Esperanza City of Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs City of Austin Health and Human Services Department Compass Bank Consulate General of Mexico Goodwill Industries of Central Texas Texas Council on Family Violence Texas Rio Grade Legal Aid U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service

ISNA’s Value Platform

We share information with each other, and educate and outreach to the community at large

We come together in order to have a stronger, broader voice on immigrant issues

We maintain ISNA as a neutral, non-political arena where stakeholders can convene in order to work towards local solutions

We engage and remain in dialogue with partners from all issue areas and sectors

We support one another in our respective work to care for the immigrant community

We respect the dignity and humanity of all immigrants, regardless of status

ISNA’s Role in the Community

Neutral Convener A place where all parties can engage in a dialogue

Non-Political Immigrant well-being and community prosperity as a

framework Inclusive Membership and Scope

Any person or organization who embraces the values platform has a right to participate

A forum to address a broad range of immigrant issues Example of ISNA’s role in action:

ISNA’s role with “ICE in the Jail” issue

Summary of Current Work

Committees Projects / Tasks

Steering Committee Leadership and Operations

Public Awareness Welcoming Initiative

Service Coordination Resource Directory

Enforcement ResponseFamily Safety Planning Toolkit

Community Raids Response Plan

Public Awareness:Welcoming Initiative

Purpose: Change public dialogue and opinion about immigrants in Austin

through public education and a communications campaign Intended Uses:

Training and presentations at non-immigrant schools, church, civic organizations, etc.

Content: A toolkit for speaking ambassadors

Service Coordination:Resource Directory

Purpose: A referral resource to help effectively resettle immigrants in a

respectful, efficient way by allowing them to gain access to appropriate, critical services.

Intended Uses: For case workers and service providers to improve information &

referral Contents:

A directory of services needed by immigrants, including healthcare, English language instruction, basic needs, and more.

A compilation of other directories currently used in the central Texas community by case workers and service providers.

Enforcement Response:Family Safety Planning Toolkit

Purpose: Educate immigrant residents about their rights. Assist individuals and families with preparing an emergency plan for

their household. Intended Uses:

Providers and others working with immigrants can use the toolkit to help inform immigrants about their rights, and to help plan for their families’ well-being.

Providers can also distribute materials to clients. Contents:

“Know Your Rights” information, family and children’s safety planning (including communication, guardianship, and medical planning), financial and legal planning, etc.

Enforcement Response:Community Raids Response Plan

Purpose: An emergency first response plan for providers and other partners to

respond to residents’ legal and human service needs during and after a worksite immigration raid. Based on an “Incident Command System” model.

Intended Uses Organized response teams follow best-practice protocols before, during, and

after a worksite raid (very similar to disaster response). What is Needed

Skills, resources, and capacities to match to functions of the plan. At higher levels of coordination: Directing operations, planning,

documenting, organizing logistics, managing human resources, public relations, etc.

At the level of direct services: Translation (Spanish and other languages), mental health/crisis intervention, legal services, basic needs (food, emergency financial, etc), children’s services (variety of needs).

How You Can Help Public Awareness Committee:

Volunteer to be a speaking ambassador (we will provide training & materials). Request a presentation for your staff or board, to help change the public dialogue

at your organization. Service Coordination Committee:

Share existing directories or information on individual providers or services that should be included in the directory

When the directory is published, download at www.isnaustin.com and use it as appropriate in your organization.

Contribute to ISNA’s dialogue around how to improve coordination of services Enforcement Response Committee:

When the toolkit is available, download at www.isnaustin.com and use it as appropriate in your organization.

Volunteer your agency, staff, or personal skills and resources for the emergency response plan.

Complete our online survey on raids response planning (we can email the link).

Get Involved with ISNA

General Meetings: Standing date!

First Wednesday of the MonthFirst Wednesday of the Month

Palm Square Building (100 N. IH-35, 78701)Palm Square Building (100 N. IH-35, 78701)

10:30am – 12:00pm, Room 230710:30am – 12:00pm, Room 2307

Participation is welcome at all levels and all committees!Participation is welcome at all levels and all committees!

ISNA website: www.isnaustin.com For questions or more information, contact: info@isnaustin.com