The conference takes place Jan. 9, from 9 to 4 p.m. in Humboldt State University’s Behavioral & Social Sciences Building. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 1. To enroll, contact Grace Barajas at (530) 757-8725 or academy@ucdavis.edu.
The conference features national, regional, and local scholars and practitioners who will share some of the work they are involved in. Conference participants will identify needs and begin developing solutions for decreasing barriers and increasing inclusiveness of services for Hmong community members, including in relation to child welfare.
Presenters Include:
Yer Thao, PhD – Portland State University, Graduate School of Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Thao teaches multicultural, cross-cultural, bilingual education, and current issues in education and society. His research interests include ethnic identity, bilingual and multicultural teacher training, linguistic diversity, and oral tradition. He is the youngest child in a large family of 11 from Laos. His work includes the book, The Mong Oral Tradition: Cultural Memory in the Absence of Written Language (McFarland & Company), co-editor of an article, “Diversifying The Teaching Force,” in Teacher Education Quarterly, and an article entitled, “Empowering Mong students: Home and school factors”, in The Urban Review, 34(1). Thao is also a former resident of Humboldt County and was involved in the development of cultural supports in the local area. His website is http://web.pdx.edu/~thaoy.
Ken Nakamura – Mr. Nakamura is the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project Coordinator at San Diego State University. He has extensive experience in community work and social welfare. He previously resided in Humboldt County and was a faculty member in the Humboldt State University Social Work Department for over 15 years. Nakamura is also a former resident of Humboldt County and was involved in the development of cultural supports in the local area.
Cher Teng (Bee) Yang, MSW – Mr. Yang is a Faculty Liaison in the Fresno State University Department of Social Work. His work includes advising and developing training modules. He helped establish the Southeast Asian Partnership Committee (SEA), which includes Hmong, Khmers (Cambodians), Laotians, and Vietnamese under the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program at Fresno State. The committee meets quarterly to discuss services in the Central Valley of California.
Kiea Lee – Ms. Lee is the Program Manager of the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County (HCCBC). HCCBC was founded in 2000 with a goal to provide community resources to provide cross-cultural awareness through education and advocacy for families and individuals to live healthy lives. (www.hmongculturalcenter.net)