Ohio Latino Affairs Commission Launches New System for Policy Makers and Community Leaders

COLUMBUS, OH - At the end of a very successful state fiscal year, and after a very busy spring legislative session, the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission is announcing the launch of its new web-based OLAnet Reports Database & Library The new system will give community leaders one-stop access to policy issues information, including analyses and links to resources . Additionally, the web page will offer an unprecedented new glimpse at Hispanic Ohioans, including demographic information from a number of sources, and reports about the life and times of Latino communities across Ohio.

"We are working diligently to expand the volume of resources available to community leaders and elected officials," said Florentina Staigers, Policy Liaison and Program Director of the commission's Public Policy Center. "Our ultimate goal is to be a nationally-recognized policy research center for the benefit of all Ohioans, with a specific focus on policy for and about Latinos. Our new OLAnet Reports Database & Library is the first step towards that objective."

The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission has among its statutory mandates a specific call to advise policy makers and officials including the Governor, the General Assembly, and Directors of the state's departments and agencies on issues affecting Ohio's Latino population.

"So many challenging and multi-faceted issues are coming to the attention of state government - especially those dealing with Latinos and other new Americans. Our agency has a unique responsibility to provide well-researched, unbiased information about these concerns and giving counsel to executive and legislative government leaders as they deliberate policies and actions," said commission director Ezra C. Escudero.

"Think of this tool as a first step. We anticipate that the database will grow quickly. Think of it, also, as an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn more about our fellow Ohioans with origins from across the Americas, from Mexico to Argentina and everywhere in between," said Program Director Staigers. "We hope that organizations and officials will contact us to request studies and research to gain a greater understanding about Hispanic Ohioans."

The OLAnet Reports Database & Library will be updated and expanded regularly, as additional information is incorporated to the system, and as requests for information increase.

The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission is a state government agency with a statutory mandate to advise policy makers and elected officials on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans, to connect the diverse Latino communities across the state, and to build the capacity of community organizations so they may better serve the fast growing Latino population of Ohio.

For more information, contact the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission or call (614) 466-8333.