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Coalición de Boricuas en MinnesotaReport on the activities of the Resettlement Committee from October 14 to October 27, 2017The Coalicion de Boricuas en Minnesota formed by a group of Puerto Ricans living in Minnesota and other concerned individuals immediately after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017 (see Facebook page below for more information):ón-de-Boricuas-en-Minnesota-1026964497443583/Puerto Rican Resettlement Action Plan (October 14, 2017)Meeting held on October 13, 2017 at the offices of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA); in attendance:Marisol Chiclana-Ayala (Community Engagement Planner, MN Dept. of Health)Blain Mamo (MN Dept. of Health's Refugee Program)Ben Walen (Director, refugee services with the MN Council of Churches)Rep. Carlos Mariani, House Representative for District 65BJessica Oaxaca, staff member with State Senator Melisa Lopez Franzen, Senate District 49Henry Jiménez, Executive Director, MCLA,Francisco J. González, Executive, Director, Office of Equality and Civil Rights with Mpls. Public Schools and Member of the Board of MCLA)I- Purpose: The ongoing tragedy in Puerto Rico resulting from hurricane Maria is accelerating a trend of mass migration from the island to the mainland. The economic downturn, the massive government debt, the deficient infrastructure and lack of employment opportunities for families all have encouraged this exodus of mostly young people and families.Now all these factors have increased exponentially; it is almost assured that migration will increase as people, flee the devastation on the island. Moreover, the physical damage will take years to be repaired.This presents both a challenge for Puerto Ricans and our friends to find ways to asset these families as they try to put their lives together again, but also an opportunity to bring these folks to a Minnesota in desperate need for the talent, vitality and energy of our Puerto Rican community.The Coalición can work with government organizations and other partners to provide an informational package about housing, jobs and schools in the Twin Cities areas and perhaps selected out-state communities (such as Rochester) to encourage Puerto Rican families to move here. The crisis in PR will last for years so this could be an ongoing outreach initiative that could significantly help reshape the demographic outlook of Minnesota.Targeting both the island and locations of initial settlement, news media reports indicate that many, if not most of the families leaving Puerto Rico, are settling in Florida, but that state was also battered by hurricane Irma and its economy and education systems are likely to be overwhelmed by the influx. Get Us Out Of Here': Amid Broken Infrastructure, Puerto Ricans Flee To Florida initial places of settlement, like the New York-New Jersey area or Hartford, Connecticut, also lag behind Minnesota in economic opportunities. The outreach initiative towards Puerto Rican families on the island should also be expanded to include Florida and other states where difficult local conditions may prompt these newly arrived families to look elsewhere for resettlement.II- Resettlement Assistance:Puerto Ricans moving to Minnesota because of the recent disaster face several unique challenges, including: Sudden and unexpected uprooting, with hardly any time to physically, emotionally, and economically prepare for the transition. It is fair to presume that many of those resettling will have emotional and stress concerns requiring counseling and/or medical treatment.Very limited English language skills, particularly families from rural areas in Puerto Rico.Unrecoverable identification documents caused by damage to the island’s infrastructure; we can anticipate that it will take several months for Puerto Ricans to obtain replacements of their birth certificates, drivers licenses, immunization records, and school transcripts.Lost assets caused by abandonment (homes, real estate, and bank accounts); while these assets remain inaccessible to Puerto Ricans, their value may be “counted against” them as an assets in possession when applying for government assistance programs here in Minnesota.A- “Puerto Rican Resettlement Orientation Guide” (Vente Pa'Cá)An initial step in assisting Puerto Ricans, that I am currently creating, is a resources directory along the lines of the Twin Cities Immigrant Orientation Guide. It will include basic information on how obtain services or assistance. See the link below: proposed “Vente Pa'Cá: Puerto Rican Resettlement Orientation Guide” ("Vente Pa'Cá" means "Come Over Here" in PR slang) will be produced in bilingual (Spanish-English) format with updated information relevant to this population (for example, information related to immigration status is not needed).B- Policy ActionsI am also recommending a separate initiative to develop a list of policy actions that Minnesota Executive agencies and the Minnesota Legislature can take in order to assist the resettlement process. For example, the State of Florida has taken the initiative to eliminate certain State fees and licensing requirements so that Puerto Rican professionals can begin searching for work in their respective professions. Based on what is being done in Florida, the following administrative and/or policy steps are recommended:1- Waiving of application fees for applicants for professions or trades regulated by the State of Minnesota for individuals currently licensed in good standing in Puerto Rico.2. Waiving licensing application requirements for certain licensed professions: teachers and other school personnel (counselors, etc.).3. Granting in-state tuition status to students transferring to MN from universities or colleges in PR or for students whose official residency was in PR but were enrolled somewhere else (this to accommodate students who were, for example, studying in the mainland US but now their families are moving to MN and the student wants to be close to their family)4. Licensing agencies should tabulate their application forms and tests into Spanish.5. Accepting Puerto Rican driver's licenses and Puerto Rican voter identification cards (tarjeta electoral) as valid identification documents for all MN government-related transactions.6. Allowing holders of valid PR driver's licenses to obtain a MN driver’s license without having to take a written test (current MN law states that “If you have a valid license from another U.S. state, certain territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Guam,) or Canada, you can obtain a Minnesota driver's license by passing the knowledge (written) test and a vision check. You do not need to take a skills (road) test unless your license has been expired for more than one year.” ) 7. For purposes of eligibility for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), General Assistance (GA) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cash assistance program:waiver of job search requirements for 60 days after the family applies for the programwaiver of residence requirements (people “maintaining a home” elsewhere may not be eligible, and families fleeing PR may indeed had left a home there)waiver of 60-month Lifetime limitwaiver of asset limitsIII. Working Group on Puerto Rican SettlementI am also suggesting the creation of a working group formed by representatives from government agencies and community organizations, charged to 1) assist with coordinating resettlement efforts and, 2) provide outreach and information to Puerto Rican families still on the island OR in areas of first arrival (central Florida, New Your-New Jersey; Hartford, CT, etc.)Minnesota State Agencies end Local Government Entities to Invite:Executive Director Henry JimenezMinnesota Council on Latino Affairs Mike RothmanDepartment of Commerce Dr. Brenda CasselliusDepartment of Education Shawntera HardyDepartment of Employment and Economic Development Dr. Edward EhlingerDepartment of Health Kevin LindseyDepartment of Human Rights Emily Johnson PiperDepartment of Human Services Ken PetersonDepartment of Labor and Industry C. BurroughsChief Inclusion Officer for the State of MinnesotaJames.Burroughs@state.mn.usPh: (651) 201-3411Mayor Betsy HodgesCity of Minneapolis Christopher B. ColemanCity of Saint Paul, Community Organizations & Business Partners:Coalición de Boricuas en Minnesota(volunteers organizing relief for PR)ón-de-Boricuas-en-Minnesota-1026964497443583/NewPublica New Publica(public relations and strategic communication). UPDATES1. FEMA's Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) finally approvedOn October 30, 2017 FEMA finally agreed to activate this program:FEMA's Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) Program provides short-term lodging assistance for evacuees who are not able to return home for an extended or indeterminate period of time following a disaster. news articles indicate that another option under consideration was the use of cruise ships to move large numbers of people to the mainland, presumably to be housed in tent cities or “FEMA trailers” in Florida or the Gulf Coast.Puerto Ricans Displaced by Hurricane Maria Could be Relocated to U.S. Mainland. Staff contact to support Puerto Rico's Displaced StudentsRoberto Reyes, with the MN Dept. of Education, will provide support to school districts that receive an influx of resettling Puerto Rican k-12 students. His contact information is below:Roberto ReyesState Homeless Coordinator McKinney-Vento Act /Neglected Delinquent Education Specialist II 651-582-8302Roberto.Reyes@state.mn.us3. State of Florida’s actions supporting Puerto Rican arrivals (to use as model for MN)BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTGovernor Rick Scott directed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Jonathan Zachem to issue an Emergency Order suspending all fees required for occupational license applications for residents of Puerto Rico who were impacted by Hurricane Maria and are now in Florida. This includes over 50 different individual professional license types, such as barbers and realtors. By suspending fees, residents from Puerto Rico will be able to obtain a license from the state more quickly and continue their careers in Florida. To view the order, click?HERE. ( )The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the local CareerSource boards deployed staff to meet evacuees at the Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs) opened at the Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport.?Staff are on-site to provide information about resources available to assist them in Florida.The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is working with the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and Florida’s major retailers to help Puerto Rico retailers’ operational status and requests for assistance.DEO has approved the release of Disaster Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to provide emergency services such as rent, utilities, food and transportation to disaster survivals including Puerto Rico evacuees. The CSBG Program is administered locally by Community Action Agencies (CAAs).?EDUCATIONFlorida school districts have processes in place to enroll K-12 students displaced by natural disasters, and all districts are prepared to enroll Puerto Rican evacuees. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria have begun arriving in Florida, and a number have already enrolled their students.Florida school districts have enrolled more than 2,000 foreign students including students displaced from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.At Governor Scott’s direction, the Office of Early Learning (OEL) has temporarily waived rules and regulations that will allow Florida’s 30 early learning coalitions to enroll Puerto Rican children whose education records are unavailable due to the storm. This will make it easier for young children to continue their early learning education through Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) and School Readiness Programs. To view the order, click?HERE.At Governor Scott’s direction, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) has temporarily waived rules and regulations that will allow Florida public school districts to enroll Puerto Rican students whose education records are unavailable due to the storm. The Governor also directed DOE to waive the educator certificate application fee and other requirements to help Puerto Rican educators displaced by the storm more easily continue their teaching careers in Florida. Upon receiving a request from a district superintendent, DOE will waive the application fee for an initial educator certificate and will allow the acceptance of an unofficial transcript of teaching degrees or copies of a valid teaching certificate issued by another state or U.S. territory. To view the order, click?HERE.At the direction of Governor Scott, Commissioner Stewart also signed a supplemental order authorizing state colleges to waive existing rules and other requirements to help Puerto Rican students more quickly enroll in college. At the request of Governor Scott, all 28 Florida College System institutions have agreed to offer in-state tuition to Puerto Rican students who were impacted by Hurricane Maria. To view the order, click?missioner Stewart issued a?summary of guidance?to all districts and will continue to work with school districts on additional issues as they arise.DOE has waived statutory and rule requirements related to residency and student records at Florida’s 48 technical centers. Additionally, all technical centers are offering displaced Puerto Rican students in-state tuition. To view the final order, click?HERE.Florida Virtual School will accept 20,000 Puerto Rican students who were displaced by Hurricane Maria to ensure they are able to continue their education. To sign up, contact Liz Chico at (863) 606-8033.The Florida Department of Education is working closely with the Puerto Rico Department of Education to help them immediately take advantage of Florida Virtual School’s (FLVS) platform and curriculum once internet access is reinstated in Puerto Rico. This will enable Puerto Rican students and educators to continue essential education operations.…. Florida state colleges and universities are waiving out-of-state tuition and fees for students from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria following a request by Governor Scott:. Action Steps from October 14, 2017 meeting: Rep. Carlos Mariani, Sen. Melisa López Franzen and Exec. Director Henry Jiménez will contact Commissioners, elected officials and members of the Governor's staff to inform them of the resettlement efforts and begin discussions about how they can assist.Ben Walen, from the Minnesota Council of Churches, will provide a description of the efforts done by his organization when resettling people from Louisiana, displaced by hurricane Katrina, here in Minnesota back in 2005. Mr. Walen indicated that he would provide, as best as possible, a step-by-step guide of how the resettlement process worked, to use as a starting point for our current efforts.Marisol Chiclana-Ayala will communicate with administrators from the MN Department of Health and the MN Department of Human Services to inform them of this initiative and to seek their support.Francisco J. González will continue to work with the Minneapolis Public Schools to develop a procedure and resources to help enroll and support Puerto Rican students in our schools, and have this as a model for other districts to use. Also, will continue to research other policy recommendations designed to remove barriers to accessing government services and expedite the interrelation of Puerto Ricans into the workforce. Roberto Reyes (from the Coalición de Boricuas en Minnesota): will coordinate conversation with representatives of Minnesota’s Department of Economic Development to extend eligibility of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program, a federal tax credit available to all private sector businesses as an incentive to employers to hire workers in certain groups who consistently experience high rates of unemployment, to those employers that hire Puerto Ricans resettling in MN. VI. Action steps from the discussion with US Representative Keith Ellison, held on October 17, 2017 Rep. Ellison indicated that he was planning to visit Puerto Rico sometime in November, and suggested that his staff and the Coalición de Boricuas en Minnesota organize a community meeting to discuss relief, reconstruction and resentment work. The purpose of the meeting is to continue to draw attention to the situation in PR and also to have other government officials listen to testimony from members of the diaspora and also from any PR families arriving to MN.VII. Actions steps from the October 27, 2017 meeting:Meeting held on October 27, 2017 at the offices of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA); in attendance:Marisol Chiclana-Ayala (Community Engagement Planner, MN Dept. of Health)Ben Walen (Director, refugee services with the MN Council of Churches)Jessica Oaxaca, Legislative Assistant to State Senator Melisa Lopez Franzen, Senate District 49Adrian Benjamin, Legislative Assistant to State Rep. Carlos Mariani, House District 65BHenry Jiménez, Executive Director, MCLA,Francisco J. González, Executive, Director, Office of Equality and Civil Rights with Mpls. Public Schools and Member of the Board of MCLA)Adrian Benjamin, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Carlos Mariani indicated that he will inquire with the MN Dept. of Public Safety regarding potential waiver of identification requirements, as many displaced Puerto Ricans will not have ID cards or other documents and obtaining replacements is not feasible now. Jessica Oaxaca, Legislative Assistant to Sen. Melisa Lopez Franzen: indicated that she will work with Henry Jiménez, MCLA, in obtaining help to design a website, to be hosted by MCLA, with basic information (in English and Spanish) for PR families and individuals resettling in MN.Henry Jiménez, MCLA, in addition to working on the resource’s website, will contact the Met Council to see if they could provide bus passes, as needed to resettling families to facilitate their transportations.Ben Walen, Minnesota Council of Churches, will inquire from FEMA and from partner organizations what type of assistance can be provided immediately, since families are already coming to MN from PR.Marisol Chiclana-Ayala, will provide a roster with known PR families already here in MN and known to her or her contacts.Francisco J González will contact El Fondo Boricua to inquire whether some of the donations made for relief and reconstruction on the island could be used for resettlement work here in MN. The idea is to use this money to help the Minnesota Council of Churches provide services along the lines of those provided when they were helping resettle families from Louisiana that were displaced by hurricane Katrina in 2005. Also, will continue working on list of resources relevant to Puerto Ricans newly-arrived to Minnesota.VIII. Additional Steps to Do:1. Creation of resume bank available to the Chief Inclusion Officer for the State of Minnesota and other MN government organizations, as well as private companies, so they can match any employment opportunities they may have with the skills and experiences of PR arrivals.2. A- “Puerto Rican Resettlement Orientation Guide” (Vente Pa'Cá)Jessica Oaxaca and Henry Jiménez will be working on setting up a website that will have resources for arriving families. This will have, at first, just basic information about where to get emergency assistance (such as Pouty Human Services offices where people can apply for cash assistance, food shelves, etc.) but eventually expand to a resources directory along the lines of the Twin Cities Immigrant Orientation Guide. It will include basic information on how obtain services or assistance. See the link below: proposed “Vente Pa'Cá: Puerto Rican Resettlement Orientation Guide” ("Vente Pa'Cá" means "Come Over Here" in PR slang) will be produced in bilingual (Spanish-English) format with updated information relevant to this population (for example, information related to immigration status is not needed).3. Work should start now; families are already starting to arrive in Minnesota! If you have any questions, need more information, or want to discuss these suggestions further, please feel free to contact me. Si prefiere tener esta información en espa?ol, comuníquese directamente conmigo.Sincerely,Francisco J. Gonzálezcell: (651) 900-2475email: guajataca01@ ................
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