Good Evening. Diana Brown- VLAB

Good Evening! Thank you...

Hello, Paul Berry from Reston

Good evening, Luis Angel Aguilar from CASA - Northern Virginia.

Hi,

Luis Oyola - Legal Aid Justice Center

Shakira Williams from Roanoke

Enrique Calvo with 32BJ SEIU

Sal Romero, Jr., Vice Mayor of Harrisonburg, Viginia

Vivian from Latinos in Virgina in Chesterfield

Ingris Moran, Tenants and Workers United - Northern Virginia

Jorge Figueredo from Edu-Futuro

hi

Joshua Nam - Providence District Palchik's Office (Fairfax County)

Eastern Shore Coalition Against Doemstic Violence - Accomack & Northampton Counties

Yanet Limon-Amado- Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

Canek Aguirre, Alexandria City Council

Hello Mayra Pineda

Victoria McCullough, Sin Barreras in Charlottesville

Wanda Almanzar from Senator Mark R. Warner

Hello everyone from Susana Marino with NOVA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Sergio Rimola

Hi everyone; Maricel Quintana Baker from VALHEN.

Hi John Cano- CASA

Isha Renta from Semilla Cultural, Fredericksburg, VA

Buenas tardes!Claudia Guerrero Barrera from Sacred Heart Center, Richmond, VA

Monica Jimenez, Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, Richmond Office

Deanna Fierro - Virginia Public School Educator in the Richmond Region

Mayra Pineda - VA Real Estate Board Member

Buenas tardes. Alex Guzmán, Secretary, Virginia Latino Advisory Board; Director of Fair Housing, HOME of Virginia

Saludos, Mel Borja from Senator Kaine’s Office in Richmond

Hello Wanda Alvarado from St. Augustine Church

Rosalia Fajardo MFEC /Life Asset

Brenda Medrano-Frias, Senior Advisor for Prince William County Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin

LaShonda Carson Samaritan House

hi from WFCDC

Cristina Caballero

Ariel Garayar with the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights

Carolina Lugo, Sacred Heart Center, Richmond, Virginia

Buenas tardes, Beatriz Amberman, Chair, Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations

HI. Jose Campos, President of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd?

Hi Beatriz

Maria Conley, CHIP of Roanoke Valley

Dialogue on Diversity, Ma.Cristina Caballero

JG Yinat, VLAB, Williamsburg

HI, Dayana Camacho, health promoter of La Casa de la Salud...

Evelin Urrutia, Executive Director of Tenants and Workers United

Cecilia Barbosa VLAB Henrico

Good Afternoon this is Jessica Tamayo, Board Member DC LCLAA Chapter

Good evening to everyone - Delegate Alfonso Lopez here.

Hi everybody, this is Maritza Zermeno, Chair of Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee.

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd. Resources like ELL instruction and wrap around services would be at risk if not.

Hello everyone, My name is Lida Gomez Duque Maurin. Second Career Nursing Student; Director of nonprofit: Dreams Made Real, created to assist the community with COVID-19 pandemic.

I am having problems with audio.

thank you for organizing this live. I am very worry about the undocument community not getting the check from the goverment. whick resources are for the community.

Thank you for this call

Dear Governor & team, my question is: We developed a community poll in which we've engaged the community, with a total of 272 responses sharing that their current top priorities are: 228 responses (83.8%) economic support for rent, 166 responses (61%) economic support for utilities and 159 responses (58.5%) for food support. The main question, how can we achieve an equitable support for the community without discriminating the undocumented community, even though that at the federal level, Congress failed to support our community by excluding them on the stimulus package. How will you include the undocumented community in the state stimulus as we move forward?

I am extremely worried about our Latino community in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley as they make a great number of the local poultry plants workforce and other larger employers. I have had many people reach out to me to share many of their employers are not following CDC guidelines. There is great fear of COVID-19 as they interact with hundreds of people each day. What guidelines are being provided to large companies such as poultry plans to protect the health and wellbeing of our immigrant community?

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd. Resources like ELL instruction and wrap around services would be at risk if not.

Q: On March 20th, the Legal Aid Justice Center sent a letter to the administration requesting that the two ICE adult detention facilities in the state, Farmville and Caroline, be inspected for proper adherence to health guidelines. VDH has the authority to do so. Since the 20th, a hunger strike has unfolded within Farmville due to the poor health conditions and reported mistreatment of detainees with symptoms. We won’t know what’s actually happening unless VDH steps in. Will the administration commit to investigating these facilities? Thank you.

the carefirst act will not help out all Virginians. How will you include undocumented Virginians in a state package?

In Northern VA we have great hospitals, but little access to clinics that serve low income and undocumented persons. More money is needed to serve this community, and to provide tests. Construction workers and landscapers are still working, but have no access to tests.

Currently it does not appear that Race/Ethnicity is being tracked when it comes to COVID 19 cases/death on the VDH page. There is no breakdown for Latinos or AAPI. White, Black, Other and the largest group at nearly 60% Not Reported. Why is this and what steps are being taken to address this?

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd. Resources like ELL instruction and wrap around services would be at risk if not.

Dear Governor - what is the criteria for translating information regarding our state’s response for COVID-19? I know some of your announcements have been translated but information like how to apply for unemployment insurance, etc aren’t available online. Would it be possible to set criteria and a reasonable timeline to get all information translated, not only in Spanish but also in other languages as well?

thank you governor

can we expect the minimum wage legislation to be signed, include farm workers and not have a delay?

Maryland has helped home owners out with prohibiting foreclosures. What are we doing for renters in VA?

Besides protection from evictions

Second Rodrigo's question on language access not just Spanish but other languages as well

I also second Rodrigo’s question

Can some of the federal funding for medical expansion be targeted to clinics that serve immigrants?

some schools are still asking teachers to return to the school to work on IEPs for special education and other tasks

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd. Resources like ELL instruction and wrap around services would be at risk if not.

Many non essential people are not following the stay home orders and going to places like everything is normal, this is putting people at risk for increase transmission of COVID-19! it is very worrisome

I agree

Governor I would like to echo both Luis Aguilar’s from CASA question and Luis Oyola’s from LAJC questions. We are extremely concerned for the undocumented Virginians and their families being at risk for homelessness and hunger.

Are those resoutces and hotlines bilingual?

Even if evictions are halted, renters will still have huge bills when the epidemic is over. What resources can be available to renters? Can those who sublease be directed not to evict renters who sublease?

Correction: Are those online resources and hotlines bilingual?

Is it possible for certain state medical certification processes to be expedited or waived for immigrant medical professionals who could assist on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic? I’ve received this question from two constituents within the last week. Thank you!

There is a lot of disinformation on COVID-19 in the health care sphere. Can you get translations for the websites, PDFs and graphics on Virginia's websites as well? The google toolbar doesn't actually translate everything and many people have issues finding it.

Any recommendations from the Governor office for use of face masks for non healthcare professionals?

also

We need information to be translated into Spanish and we need a hotline available also in Spanish. Many in the Latin community remains disconnected due to language barrier.

Maryland and Dc has helped Small Bussines owners with GRANTS up t0 $25.000 dollars, what funds are available for our entrepreneurs from the State?

Are there any Latinos working at DSBSD yet?

Aida Pacheco with Virginia Latino Advisory Board and from Mechanicsville, Hanover County. The Governor mentioned a freeze in hiring,which is understandable. Will the administration consider urilizing former state employees who retired to return as a volunteer to help areas that could use the extra help,especially those who are bilingual and bilcultural to help with outreach, translation,etc. ?

Thank you all for your questions. We have noted them and will work to address them during the Q&A portion of the call. In the meantime, please continue to type your questions below.

Second Roberto's question outreach is typically lacking when it comes to our community.

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd. Resources like ELL instruction and wrap around services would be at risk if not.

Are the hotline bilingual? I am working for the Latino Community and the language is a barrier .

Dear Governor & team, in general, outside of the support of hotels to ensure that no one is homeless, what are the steps for cancelling rent or achieving a deal like California did when it comes to rent, it is one of the biggest concerns for the community.

Are the any provision for undocumented migrants? If there is an American child in the household, will they qualify for any help?

Thank you for your patience. I did not see this question addressed. Is there a plan to freeze evictions from homes at a state level? I know in NYC, individual corporations are holding rents for tenets to provide a period to regroup.

Governor Northam, can you give us an update on bills that impact the Latino/immigrant community, such as driver licenses and in-state tuition.

Governor there are many families who are hard working and pay taxes through ITIN (Tax ID). The majority of which are parents to citizens. These families will not be able to afford rent. These Virginian families also need your help. How do you plan on helping?

Are there any state financial aid planned to support the hard working immigrant communities that were left out of the Federal aid package. Farm workers, fishing and poultry industries depend of immigrant labor, included undocumented workers.

Not sure how many bilingual agencies are fully noted in the state's 211 hotline system...I believe they use "language line" type help in initial calls asking for help. Not sure how well community orgs help inform public of 211 help.

Hello! Re: Taxes, the federal deadline got extended to July 15th. Most states have followed the federal government’s lead and extended their state taxes deadline to July 15th. However, it’s my understanding that Virginia has not. State taxes are still due in May - is this true? Any thoughts on extending this deadline? Also, will this recording be translated in Spanish for us to circulate with our network?

What is the difference among SBA Paycheck Protection Program vs. SBA Disaster Loan?

IRS extend the time to file to July 15. Is Virginia extending the filling also?

Agree on the need to help workers who are not documented, and this includes those with DACA, TPS, and even those in families that are "mixed" with citizens and undocumented persons. What can the state do to help these folks, who were all left out of federal assistance.

Amen to Alica

www.schev.edu - state council of higher education site

Thank you for sharing the this resource!

Are school leaders being given the option to test students in the fall and spring if they want to be accreditation rating on student growth?

Can we expect the Governor to hold public school funding harmless during the veto session on April 22nd. Resources like ELL instruction and wrap around services would be at risk if not.

What can be done to address some concerns from the community like the following? Support for Spanish dominant parents trying to help their students during school closures. Access to technology and wifi for students and educators. Support for vulnerable students needing extra support like ELLs and students with disabilities. Support for college students aspiring to become teachers (especially diverse students needed in the profession) who can't do classroom hours now that schools are closed. Advocacy for undocumented and vulnerable workers (like domestic workers, farm workers, restaurant/grocery industries) who are parents of children in VA's schools.

How are schools supporting High school students dropping school, to work to support their parents?

We are concerned about equity regarding continuity of learning plans. We hope plans ensure the achievement gap is not widened.

What is Virginia doing for small businesses?

I have a summarized version of the CARES ACT in Spanish. I will send via email to Maribel, Paul and Secretary Thomasson for use as needed and posting on the VLAB Web site.

Thank you. That would be very helpful.

Second Melody Gonzales' concerns, this environment will only amplify existing inequities between schools...

Dear Governor and team,

I second Melissa question! There are many well qualified International Foreign Medical Graduates that are willing to serve during this emergency, many come from Latin America!

for the employees who work in a private business and get unemployed, how should they access to the help?

thank you

go to the Virginia Employment Commission and file for unemployment insurance: www.vec.virginia.gov

Are school leaders being given the option to test students in the fall and spring if they want to be accreditation rating on student growth?

What is or are the next steps? For instance, What is the coordinated response for outreach across the entities that spoke today for our community? What can we do to help with the coordinated response and implementation?

The Public Charge rule may scare immigrant communities to access food or health services. This will impact their families, including citizen children. Will Virginia put out messages to reach out to them? They need clear guidance that there is a safety net available to them during this crisis.

Do we have Latino(s) representation on the Equity Taskforce?

Our undocumented population will not be able to benefit from the assistance provided by the Federal assistance program. Will there be any type of assistance available to them?

So how are non-profits and CBOs being used to help in these outreach efforts?

Are there any state support mechanisms/ sites/ phone lines to help Latino workers who may be mistreated by employers (ie being fired inappropriately under the auspices of covid19) or forced to work in conditions where they're concerned about their exposure to covid19 (ie grocery stores, restaurants, social workers having to do site visits, etc.)?

I would be willing to serve on the equity task force.

Who is on the Health Equity team and how can we contact them?

Dear Governor and team, Edu-Futuro provides direct education, social and workforce development services to more than 1700 Latino, immigrant, and disadvantaged program participants in Northern Virginia. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 disruption, our staff members have been reaching out to the families we serve. Of these, 167 families to whom we are providing case management, 113 or 68% lost their jobs, 139 or 83% will miss their April rent or mortgage payments, and 100 or 60% are in need of assistance with food, medicine, or other essential needs. Edu-Futuro has established a COVID-19 emergency program, and we are now providing assistance for rent, food, medicine, and other emergency needs. While we continue working with local governments and other social service partners, we have also identified members of our community who have an immediate and urgent need, who are falling through the cracks of our local safety net, and who are afraid to request emergency assistance because of their immigration

And Latinos on ALL task forces...not seeing many high ranking Latinos on this...who are the highest ranking Latinos in the administration?

What is the state's vision in using alternative PPES for medical providers and the Virginia Citizen? Any present education or resources on what is being done to assist in making sure what is happening in NYC does not happen in Richmond and its counties?

Testing students in the fall would be inequitable.

How can uninsured folks access to mental health?

Are there any protections for essential workers with pre-existing chronic conditions such as respiratory/heart conditions to be granted leave without pay and be able to keep their job?

Status, or the public charge rule. To make it worse, some of the families who do not have the literacy level or technical skills to upload documents on web sites as required by certain nonprofits are not receiving the services as quickly as they need. What are you planning to do to direct emergency funds to nonprofits that are founded and led by people of color to provide the direct assistance that Latino and other immigrants need?

Thank you for joining us for this virtual meeting. If you have any health equity concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at sable.nelson@vdh.virginia.gov. Let's keep the conversation going!

certain "faith" organizations have issues with the full diversity of the population...need we expand?

Janice.underwood@governor.virginia.gov

There were many great questions posted here. Please make sure that we all receive the answer to those questions. Thank you

Sal, FMLA may be an option to pursue.

thank you for sharing my question

There is no information specific to the needs of undocumented immigrants on VDH as it pertains to food security and housing. Are there any resources available this population. Many families are facing homelessness and the same challenges as American citizens without any of the assistance.

We need faster and accurate testing to stay ahead of the epidemic and flatten the curve. How can we, statewide, get these tests to as many Virginians as possible? IMHO, We are going to need to test workers before before they go back to work!

where this call will be able to re-watch?

Any chance of making test available for home use? We will never know how many have this virus unless people have access to testing.

Agree with Susana!!!

Thank you, everyone. I am in Virginia Beach and if any VB school aged student needs help, let me know. I can get help for them.

Thank you. Is there anything we can do as constituents to assist in this?

Virginia Coalition for immigrant rights has resources VACIR Website: bit.ly/VACIR-COVIDEnglish Resources Google Doc: bit.ly/VA-COVIDResourceSpanish Resources Google Doc: bit.ly/VA-COVIDrecurso

Virginia is for lovers.

thank you

Need consistent messages on where to go for help from all the state congressional reps...

National relief funds for undocumented families : https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-undocumented-families?fbclid=IwAR1XcoVLuUXPbAklpjnCT5GXCuJnHw8Lyr2p_d53gdAKJjYf9Kxp0HGsgDY

email Diana.Brown@vbschools, if any Virginia Beach school age student is in need. I can help.

Jorge - I’ve reached out to the senior folks in the Administration re. the Public Charge issue. I will share as I hear more - let’s discuss.

Thank you Governor, Ralph and Team for this conference call. Stay healthy and safe.

What is the anticipated capacity for testing in the near future? Expandingtesting capacity is vital for controlling this pandemic.

FYI we have a hub on covid19 education resources at https://nea.org/coronavirus and https://neatoday.org

Thank you for the call and your efforts.

Thank you all for leading this call!

Thank you, Governor, for this opportunity. I know we all look forward to the rest of the responses.

Goodbye