September 10, 2007
Dear Community Leader:
partnership with Region 6 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and
Houston Department of Health and Human Services, would like to invite you to be a part
of an exciting, ongoing effort that we began in San Antonio in 2006. The success of last
year’s event has inspired our partners and EPA to continue the initiative with another
Hispanic Stakeholders Forum in Houston. The Forum, called “Beyond Translation,”
will be held this year on October 10 – 12 and we need your participation and support.
The purpose of this year’s Forum is to continue the momentum started in 2006,
bringing together a broad cross-section of Hispanic leaders in the Region, from
grassroots organizations to heath agencies and academia, and from business and civic
groups to local, state and federal agencies. We hope to continue exploring ways in
which we can work together to address collaboratively the myriad environmental and
human heath issues confronting us each day.
Key goals of this year’s forum include: sharing/transferring best practices
addressing environmental health issues; focusing attention on education and
recruitment challenges in science, technology, engineering and math; providing
effective mechanisms for the Hispanic community to gain access to contracts, grants
and other community resources; exploring how EPA, DHHS, and other agencies may
better serve Hispanic communities; and developing a strategy for ongoing involvement
in these issues. We want to continue to serve as a catalyst to foster greater
involvement of the Hispanic community in our effort to protect human health and the
environment en nuestras comunidades. Your views on how we can make a difference
in the lives of Hispanics are important, so please bring your ideas and energy, and join
us in Houston as part of this vital dialogue.
Enclosed you will find the draft Agenda for the Forum, and hotel and registration
information. Please feel free to contact Juan Parras, our Registration Coordinator, at
(713) 926-8895 or (281) 513-7799 or Ms. Paula Flores-Gregg our Program Chair at
(214) 665-8123, if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you in
advance for your assistance and support. ¡Juntos podemos! Together we can improve
our natural environment and ensure healthier communities.
Sincerely yours,
Miguel I. Flores
Director
Water Quality Protection Agency
Enclosure
Beyond Translation – Houston Forum
“Cultivating Hispanic Community Involvement”
Houston, Texas – Houston Hobby Marriott
October 10-12, 2007
Purpose
• Transfer best community awareness practices addressing environmental health
issues.
• Bring attention to the education and recruitment challenge in the science,
technology, engineering, and math fields.
• Provide most effective mechanisms to gain access to contracts, grants, and other
resources.
• Develop a strategy for ongoing community involvement.
Target Audience
Community leaders from grass-roots, non-profit organizations, health organizations,
local and federal government, civic groups, business, media representatives, and
academia.
Date/Time
October 10, 2007 8:30 - 4:00 PM Student Forum (Milby HS & Austin HS)
October 10, 2007 6:00 - 8:00 PM Welcome Reception
October 11, 2007 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Beyond Translation Forum
October 12, 2007 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Beyond Translation Forum
Forum Location
Houston Hobby Marriott, 9100 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017
Registration & Room Reservations
Contact Juan Parras at (713) 926-8895, (281) 513-7799 (cell), (713) 926-2750 (fax).
Deadline for Registration
September 26, 2007 - Space is limited - please register early!
Exhibit Space Available
Contact Juan Parras at (713) 926-8895, or (281) 513-7799 (cell),
or Debora Bradford at (214) 665-7406.
Travel Assistance
There is some invitational travel funding available for presenters of smaller non-profit
and civic organizations. To find out if you qualify, please contact Paula Flores-Gregg,
our program chair, at (214) 665-8123, or via e-mail at: flores.paula@epa.gov.
For More Information Visit Our Website
http://www.epa.gov/region6/beyondtranslation
