Committees
To more efficiently execute its charge and more effectively distribute its responsibilities, the Commission has formed four committees. The specific responsibilities of each committee are:
- Workforce Development: This committee will study APA appointments to boards and commissions, and to other decision-making positions within state government. The goal of this committee will be to increase engagement and opportunities for APAs in state government.
- Business Development: This committee will study APA participation in the MBE program and state government contracting. This committee will also explore ways to promote trade with Asia and foreign direct investment from Asia.
- Social Services: This committee will work to promote and increase access to state programs and services, including social, health, and educational programs. This committee will also address how to meet the needs of communities with limited English proficiency.
- Community Development: This committee will work to reach out to APA communities and promote cultural awareness throughout the state. This committee will also study ways to plan for the anticipated and continued growth of the APA population.
Taking into account the mandates of the Governor's Executive Order as well as the proceedings from the Governor's Asian Pacific American Summit, the Commission held a strategic planning meeting to develop short-term (Year 1) and long-term (Years 2-4) goals for the Commission and Committees. The following is the Commission's Work Plan that sets forth the short term and long term goals and activities of the Commission and Committees which will be reviewed each year and revised as appropriate.
Work Plan
Full Commission
Short Term Goals and Activities:
- Meet with the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs to discuss the Minority Business Enterprise Program
- Meet with the Department of Budget and Management and other state agencies to discuss the status of APAs in the state workforce, both at the managerial level and skilled position level
- Meet with the Department of Business and Economic Development to discuss APA economic development opportunities and international trade with Asia
- Meet with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and other state agencies to discuss health and social services for APAs
- Meet with APA communities in different areas throughout the state to discuss the Commission's activities and the needs of community members
Long Term Goals and Activities:
- Develop State Stat indicators to measure the effectiveness of outreach and engagement with APA community
- Study state government's current language access policy and identify additional opportunities and ways to increase language access services for communities with limited English proficiency
- Review legislative and executive policies/programs affecting APA and immigrant communities and make recommendations
- Identify opportunities to partner with the Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs and Governor's Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs on issues of mutual interest and concern
- Promote voter registration and participation in elections
Workforce Development Committee
(Members: George Dang, Kamala Edwards, Bruce Lee, David Pak, Lily Qi)
Short Term:
- Assess the statewide data on the status of APAs in the state workforce, both at the managerial level and skilled position level
- Develop recommendations to increase the awareness, recruitment and promotion of APAs in state and local government
Long Term:
- Create and maintain a database of APA candidates for state appointments
- Create and maintain a database of APA organizations and media outlets for collection and dissemination of state employment announcements
- Identify training programs for current and future state government employees, both at the managerial level and at the skilled position level
Business Development Committee
(Members: Kwang Choi, Martin Ma, Jane Nishida, Shailesh Patel, Beth Wong)
Short Term:
- Organize an APA conference to promote business and economic development opportunities for APAs
- Meet with APA Chamber of Commerce and APA trade associations to outreach and collaborate on business and economic development opportunities
- Develop recommendations for the promotion and expansion of MBE opportunities for the APA community
Long Term:
- Work with DBED on organizing trade missions to Asia, including China, India, Korea and other countries in Asia
- Meet with Maryland Aviation Administration and Maryland Port Administration to promote increased presence and trade with Asian countries
- Organize meetings with embassy officials from Asian countries to promote increased presence and investments in Maryland
Social Services Committee
(Members: Katherine Chin, Elizabeth Chung, Amjad Riar, Nayan Shah, Sovan Tun)
Short Term:
- Conduct and report on a statewide APA health and education needs assessment
- Identify model state and county programs that promote APA outreach and access to health, social and educational services
Long Term:
- Develop recommendations to increase outreach and access to health, social, and educational services for APA community
- Meet with Asian medical clinics to discuss their operations and opportunities to partner with the Commission
- Explore the establishment of a mobile health clinic which could serve the APA community statewide
- Study ways to streamline professional credentialing and licensing requirements for foreign-trained health professionals
Community Development Committee
(Members: Anis Ahmed, Shukoor Ahmed, Suresh Gupta, Maria Hrabinski, Tammy Pantages, Kui Zhao)
Short Term:
- Organize APA Heritage Month activities and events
- Conduct outreach meetings with APA community groups
- Assist with Governor's citations and proclamations for APA community events
Long Term:
- Promote awareness and participation in Census 2010
- Compile database of state and local resources for APAs and new immigrants
- Organize annual APA summit and cultural events
- Produce regular newsletter for APA community
- Increase information and linkages with APA communities through Commission website