Friday, January 17, 2013

Buenos dias, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Latino and Immigration Affairs liaison in the Office of Public Engagement. Growing up in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago and raised by a single mother, I have experienced firsthand the importance of creating pathways of opportunity for Latinos and all Americans. I look forward to working with all of you to continue to advance the Presidents agenda throughout 2014 and beyond, including enacting common sense immigration reform; ensuring Latinos sign-up for quality, affordable health care; transforming our schools; investing in small business; and raising the minimum wage. Jorge Neri Associate Director White House | Office of Public Engagement

President Obama Nominates Latina to Head the Small Business Administration

On Wednesday, the President nominated Maria Contreras-Sweet, the founder and board chairman of a Latino-owned community bank in Los Angeles, as Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

President Obama Announces First five "Promise Zone" Locations

Fifty years ago, in January of 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty and introduced initiatives designed to improve the education, health, skills, jobs, and access to economic resources of those struggling to make ends meet. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, President Obama announced the first of five Promise Zone locations across the U.S. The program, first unveiled at his State of the Union address last year, is an initiative that partners with local communities and businesses to create jobs, expand access to educational opportunities, and spur economic mobility and security. Joined by students from the Harlem Childrens Zone -- a 17 year undertaking that found children will do better if those around them are doing better and introduced by a young Dominican student Kiara Molina, the President spoke in the East Room of the White House on the importance of making sure everyone who works hard has a fair shot at success, no matter where they come from or who they are. A childs course in life should be determined not by the zip code shes born in, but by the strength of her work ethic and the scope of her dreams, the President said. Watch the powerful introduction and Presidents remarks here. Joined by students from the Harlem Childrens Zone -- a 17 year undertaking that found children will do better if those around them are doing better and introduced by a young Dominican student Kiara Molina, the President spoke in the East Room of the White House on the importance of making sure everyone who works hard has a fair shot at success, no matter where they come from or who they are. A childs course in life should be determined not by the zip code shes born in, but by the strength of her work ethic and the scope of her dreams, the President said. Watch the powerful introduction and Presidents remarks here.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks announcing the first five "Promise Zones," in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 9, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The first five Zones, located in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, have each put forward a plan on how they will partner with local business and community leaders to make investments that reward hard work and expand opportunity. In exchange, these designees will receive the resources and flexibility they need to achieve their goals. The President also took the opportunity to recognize several dedicated Latinos through recent nominations and appointments. Latinos continue to be appointed across the Administration to support the Presidents Agenda, including: David J. Arroyo Nominated to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; Alfredo J. Balsera Nominated to serve as a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2017. (Reappointment) Mark E. Lopes Nominated to serve as the United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank and for Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation; Carlos Roberto Moreno -- Nominated to serve as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belize; Luis G. Moreno -- Nominated to serve as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica; Carlos Pascual -- Nominated to serve as the Assistant Secretary of State (Energy Resources); Myrna Perez -- Nominated for Member of the Election Assistance Commission

Leon Rodriguez -- Nominated for Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Gloria Valencia-Weber -- Nominated to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation (Reappointment).

Last week the US Department of Education and US Department of Justice released a school discipline guidance package to assist states, districts, and schools in developing practices to enhance school climate. Even though incidents of school violence have decreased overall, too many schools are still struggling to create positive, safe environments. Schools can improve safety by making sure that climates are welcoming and that responses to misbehavior are fair, non-discriminatory, and effective. Each year, significant numbers of students miss class due to suspensions and expulsionseven for minor infractions of school rulesand students of color and with disabilities are disproportionately impacted. The guidance package provides resources for creating safe and positive school climates, which are essential for boosting student academic success and closing achievement gaps. In recognition of Cervical Cancer Prevention Month, HHS and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health will host a Twitter Chat on Thursday, January 16, 2014, featuring Mayra Alvarez, Associate Director of HHS Office of Minority Health. Join the conversation and ask your questions during the chat at #OurSalud. Learn more about this Twitter Chat under our Get Involved section. Also, please remember that open enrollment for health insurance through the Marketplace continues until March 31, 2014. As always, please share this information with your networks, get engaged in educating the Latino community about the Health Insurance Marketplaces, and use the hashtag: #OurSalud to join the conversation.

Agency Updates
Contacting Your Health Plans Customer Service Phone Number Specially trained assisters, call center representatives, and many other resources are available to help you and to answer your questions about the Marketplace. Now that youve chosen a plan, you may have questions about your coverage. MBDA Achieves Record-Breaking Performance for Clients in Job Creation, Access to Capital, Contract Support January 14, 2014 The U.S. Department of Commerces Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) announced today record-breaking performance in helping its clients create jobs, gain access to capital, and receive contract support in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Florida Residents Sentenced for Defrauding and Threatening Spanish-Speaking Consumers January 9, 2014 Two individuals charged with running a telemarketing operation that defrauded Spanishspeaking consumers were sentenced today in Miami federal district court, the Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced. US Department of Education and Justice Release School Discipline Guidance Package to Enhance School Climate and Improve School Discipline Policies/Practices January 8, 2014 The U.S. Department of Education (ED), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of

Justice (DOJ), today released a school discipline guidance package that will assist states, districts and schools in developing practices and strategies to enhance school climate, and ensure those policies and practices comply with federal law. En Espaol. The War on Poverty 50 Years Later: A Progress Report January 2014 Fifty years ago, in January of 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty and introduced initiatives designed to improve the education, health, skills, jobs, and access to economic resources of those struggling to make ends meet. While there is more work to do, in the ensuing decades we have strengthened and reformed many of these programs and had significant success in reducing poverty. In this report, the Council of Economic Advisers presents evidence of the progress made possible by decades of bipartisan efforts to fight poverty by expanding economic opportunity and rewarding hard work.

Blog Highlights
President Obama: A childs course in life should be determined not by the zip code shes born in Yesterday, on the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, President Obama announced the first five Promise Zone locations across the U.S. The program, first unveiled at his State of the Union address last year, is an initiative that partners with local communities and businesses to create jobs, expand access to educational opportunities and spur economic mobility and security. Covered in the New Year: Andrew Santiagos Story January 1 marked a new day in health care for millions of families and individuals throughout the country. For the millions of Americans who signed up for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces, they now have the security and peace of mind that comes with access to quality and affordable health coverage. From now on, insured Americans won't be forced to put off a check-up or worry about going broke if they get sick. And for those who already have insurance, additional protections and benefits kicked in thanks to the Affordable Care Act New Pages on TSA.gov: Spanish-Language Page and TSA Kids Today, we launched two new features on the TSA.gov website; a Spanish-language page and TSA for Kids. The new pages are part of TSAs goal to help all passengers understand what to expect when going through airport security. Passengers who know what to expect during screening will benefit from a more positive screening experience. Consumers can better Compare Plans with New Tool to Estimate Lower Costs Weve been working hard to ensure that consumers have an improved experience when applying for and enrolling in Marketplace coverage at HealthCare.gov. Today, weve enhanced our window shopping feature again to provide consumers with an estimate of the lower costs they might qualify for at the Marketplace. This will help individuals and families to find a plan that fits their needs and budget.

Get Involved
Google Hangout with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius US Health Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is participating in a Google Hangout on the Affordable Care Act hosted by VotoLatino next Thursday, January 23rd at 3pm EST. Audience members can submit questions by January 21st. Questions can be submitted by: 1) texting AskVL to 73179, 2) tweeting @votolatino with hashtag #AskVL, or

3) leaving a comment on VotoLatinos Facebook page. Questions and Answers on the ACA If you have questions about the health care law, the Affordable Care Act, this is the webinar for you! We will answer questions that have been submitted in advance as well as new questions asked during the webinar. Please send your questions by January 30 at 10 am to ACA101@hhs.gov. Who: HHS Partnership Center What: Webinar with questions and answers on the ACA When: Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 3 PM ET RSVP: RSVP online at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/633393375 How to Enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace We are in the open enrollment period for health insurance in the Health Insurance Marketplace. We will explain the health care law, show you how to shop for plans using our new window shopping tool, explain how to enroll, and answer your questions. Open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014. Please send any questions to ACA101@hhs.gov prior to February 4 at 10 am ET.

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 202-456-1111

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