The Office of Latino Affairs was established to do the following:
- Advocate for Iowans of Latino heritage
- Serve the needs of Iowans of Latino heritage in participating fully in the economic, social and cultural life of the state by providing assistance and coordinating the efforts of other state departments and agencies
- Assist in the development and coordination of other public or private organizations which serve Iowans of Latino heritage
- Inform Iowans about programs and agencies operating to assist the Latino community.
The Office of Latino Affairs works closely with the Commission of Latino Affairs.
Latino Service Providers Coalition
The Latino Service Providers Coalition (LSP) brings providers together to learn and share resources, services, opportunities, and events in their local areas, in order to provide wraparound services to Latino Communities.
Statewide - Virtual
First Thursday of the month
10:00 - 11:30 AM
Des Moines Metro - In person
Third Thursday of the month
9:00 - 10:30 AM
For questions, please email Sonia.Reyes@iowa.gov
If you are a Latino Service Provider and would like to join the coalition, please complete the Member Registration Form.
Association of Iowa Latino Professionals - Lunch & Learn Webinar Series
Each webinar will be held from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
- February 21, 2024 - Graduate & Doctorate Programs
- April 17, 2024 - Serving as a board member - what you need to know
- June 19, 2024 - Financial Literacy
- August 21, 2024 - Cultural Humility
- October 16, 2024 - How Government works - Federal, State, County, & City
- December 18, 2024 - Protecting your money
History
Originally established as the governor’s Spanish-speaking task force through legislative action in April 1974, the primary mission was to study the issues facing Spanish-speaking persons. The Task Force produced a report titled “Conóceme en Iowa”.
Two years later on July 1, 1976, the Sixty-sixth General Assembly approved and Governor Robert D. Ray signed into law the Spanish-Speaking People’s Commission.
In 1990, the Commission was renamed Latino Affairs. During the 2011 reorganization the Division of Latino Affairs was renamed again as the Office of Latino affairs.