The 15th Annual "Strengthening and Valuing Latino/a Communities in Iowa" 

2013 Professional Development Institute

The Institute is designed to enhance the skills of professionals working with Latino individuals, families and communities in Iowa.  This year we will feature an hands-on process (Roll of the Dice)  to connect data, research and practice as related to cultural competence with Latino communities.  Participants will have an opportunity to interact with a variety of field experts from across the state. 

 ** Registration is free but space is limmited

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 Featured Speakers:

Keynote:   Roy Juarez Jr. was recently featured on CNN with in a segment leading up to
Latino in America. His spell-binding story has also caught the attention of the well-established, New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series. In August of 2009, "Roy's Story" was featured in their latest book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Extraordinary Teens. As a young entrepreneur, Juarez has been able to develop a successful career, lecturing to thousands of youth, educators, and parents throughout the United States and abroad. Once a homeless teenager, Juarez fought the battle to leave the streets, only to return to them after becoming a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University. 

Professional Development Institute Facilitator:   John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, MSW, is an
immigrant from Guatemala who has been recognized at the local, state and national level for his work with and for youth and families of color.  John-Paul has served as the Executive Director of Foster Promise, the Latino Community Fund and is the former State Director of Equity and Civil Rights at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Before coming to Washington State, John-Paul was the Public Policy Lead and Product Development Manager at the Northwest Area Foundation in St.
Paul, MN, where he oversaw an eight-state multimillion-dollar portfolio designed to promote equity, build assets, reduce poverty and improve the lives of families and communities of color. 
Before joining NWAF, John-Paul served on the Iowa State Governor’s Cabinet.  He has also served as the National Training and Technical Assistance Director at the National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice, the Executive Director of the Institute for the Support of Latino/a Families and Communities, and a co-founder of the Disproportionate Minority Confinement/contact Resource Center at the University of Iowa. John-Paul has thought graduate courses in areas such as Discrimination, Diversity and Oppression, Latino Immigration to the United States, multicultural education and family/community development.   John-Paul has a B.A. in Sociology/International Relations/Multiculturalism from Saint Mary University, a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa, and completed his course work towards a doctorate in cultural competence education and training at the same institution.  As young adult, he worked in meatpacking in Kansas to put himself through school, and it was there he began his work in the United States as an advocate, community organizer and educator.

Featured Artists:  Opening Blessing by Omeyocan Dance Company.  The Omeyocan Dance  Company exists to celebrate Mexico’s colorful cultural history and to share it with others.
Through performances that feature authentic dances, costumes, and music, they entertain and educate audiences of all ages and cultures. They seek to enrich both our audience and dancers alike with appreciation and an enhanced cultural awareness of Mexico‘s storied past and vivid traditions.