municipal best practices for the hispanic community...

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Municipal Best Practices for the Hispanic Community

SurveyA study commissioned by the International Hispanic Network (IHN) and funded by the

Annie E. Casey FoundationThe research was conducted by the

University of North Texas

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Genesis of the Study

• Considering the demographic changes in the U.S. and the potential impact of the Hispanic community, (IHN) wanted to Assess:– Local government’s impact on the Hispanic

community, and– Identify Best Practices and ideal programs and

initiatives in various cities

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A U.S. Snapshot of Population by Race and Ethnicity, 2004

Population Percent Distribution

Hispanic 40,424,525 14%Native born 22,381,207 7.7%Foreign born 18,043,321 6.2%Non-Hispanic white 194,876,871 68%Non-Hispanic black 34,919,473 12%Non-Hispanic Asian 12,342,486 4%Non-Hispanic other 5,717,108 2%Total population 288,280,465 100% Source: Pew Hispanic Center tabulations from the Annual Social and Economic

Supplement, Current Population Survey, March 2004

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The Survey

• A survey instrument was designed to capture current practices relating to the Hispanic community

• A traditional paper/pencil instrument was created using a five point Likert scale.

• Responses ranged from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree.

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The Survey

• The Instrument was mailed in January and February of 2005

• The Survey was sent to Hispanic city managers and cities with at least a 12% Hispanic population. For cities in CA, TX, FL, AZ, and NM the % was increased

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The Survey

• Access to local Government Services• Housing• Children, Youth, Seniors, & Families• Personal Safety• Needs of Low Income Children & Families• Immigrants• Additional Information • Municipal Best Practices

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The Survey

• 161of 518 surveys were returned for a 31% Response rate

• Responses were received from 31 states with 51.5% of the responses coming from 4 states: Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas

• Of the cities that responded 65% indicated that Hispanics are not the majority 32% indicated they were

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Access to Local Government Services

• 53% of the cities surveyed have not conducted a needs assessment of the Hispanic community to obtain a clear understanding of the needs and barriers to city services

• 86% of the municipalities provide interpretation type services for courts, police, city council, hospitals, and other government meetings. 75% translate materials

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Additional Compensation

2.5

17.4

34.8

8.1

19.3 18

05

101520253035

Don'tKnow

StronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree

Additional Compensation for Bilingual Employees

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Collaboration and Recruitment

• 69% of the cities collaborate with other government agencies as well as community and faith based organizations to provide outreach services to Hispanics

• 65% of the cities have a strategy in place to recruit diverse candidates for key positions in the organization

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Hispanic Organizations

3.7

9.9

27.3

13

31.7

14.3

05

101520253035

Don'tKnow

StronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree

City Representatives are Members of Hispanic Organizations

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Personal Safety

• 87% of police departments participate in community oriented policing. This includes joint efforts with residents and apartments owners to remove junk cars and trash from neighborhoods

• When asked if Hispanic families felt safe in their neighborhoods, 66% of the respondents indicated that Hispanics did feel safe

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Language Ability

71.4

21.2

7.4

0

20

40

60

80

Do Not Speak Spanish Speak Spanish Don't Know

Police Officer Language Ability

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Police Collaboration

27.4

13.7

24.434.8

05

101520253035

Agree Neutral Disagree Don't Know

Police and Immigration Service Collaborate

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Spanish Web Site

78

148

0

20

40

60

80

Not in Spanish In Spanish Don't Know

City Web Site

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Day Labor Site

• 30% have some type of Day labor site however, 78% do not support it financially.

• 36% of the cities offer some type of immigrant services

• 80% of the cities have not passed a city ordinance restricting day labor sites

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Day Labor Site

21.7

6.8

21.7

30.4

17.4

1.9

05

101520253035

Don'tKnow

StronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree

The city would consider having a day labor site

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Matricula Consular

26

1821

35

05

101520253035

Recognize Neutral Do Not Recognize Don't Know

La Matricula Consular

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Social Services

• 73% of the cities sponsor or co-sponsor family events to promote ethnic cultures

• 51% indicated that their local public library offers special programs for Hispanic children

• 24% have special policies for promoting Hispanic Home ownership

• 63% participate in job training programs

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Best Practices

Involvement in the Hispanic community ranged from ethnic celebrations, festivals, and English

classes on the one hand, to full fledged community centers on the other

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Best Practices

Diversity Language Skills Program –Reno, Nevada

– Provide Spanish speaking and writing skills to any employee interested or police volunteer. The goal is to equip employees at all levels (conversational, intermediate, and advanced) with the language skills necessary to serve a diverse community

– Funding city training and development budget

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Best Practices

Hispanic Orientation and Education Program – Alexandria, Virginia

– Primary component is English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction and promoting non-threatening acculturation assistance

– Funding by city

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Best Practices

Hispanic Heritage Month – Chandler, Arizona

• Poster Contest• Folklorico Dance

Workshops• Garibaldi Night• College Night at local

Community College

– Funding by city and

• Hispanic Heritage Photo Exhibit

• Mariachi Festival• Hispanic Book Fair • Educational Forum

corporate sponsors

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Best Practices

City Council meetings in Spanish – Santa Barbara, California

– Simultaneous translation into Spanish. The goal is to allow those whose first language is Spanish equal access to local government. Also Spanish broadcast on TV.

– Funding $30,000 per year from city budget

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Best Practices

Academic Pursuit – Bell Gardens, California

– Offers a no interest loan to students to pursue a college education. Average Loan amount $2,000. 5 awards annually. 10 hours of community service for every $1,000 received

– Funding by city

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Best Practices

Operation Apoyo Hispano – Clearwater, Florida

– Hispanic outreach community based partnership (through police department) that emphasizes crime prevention through building trust and a working relationship with the Hispanic population

– Funding by city and federal grants

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Best Practices

Casa Amparo/Brewster Center – Tucson, Arizona

– Emergency & transition Living program for Hispanic women and children. All staff are bi-lingual and they assist with counseling, life skills, parenting and advocacy, etc.

– Funding by city, county, state, and CDBG funds

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Best Practices

Multicultural Coalition Center – Grand Island, Nebraska

– The primary objective is to provide a comprehensive service delivery center that serves new immigrants, in a seamless way with little duplication of services.

– Funded by city, businesses, churches, Grand Island public schools, and the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority