Hispanic education is a developing role for ISU Extension

Better communication is the goal of the Latino Cultural Communication ICN course offered through Iowa State University and ISU Extension's Extended and Continuing Education (ECE) program.

Kim Vrieze, victim witness coordinator for the Sioux County Attorney's office, took the class because of the convenient local ICN offering and because she wanted to better understand how Hispanic cultural influences affect the way Hispanic people assimilate into the Sioux County culture. She said this cultural awareness helps her better understand the intent of clients coming into her office and makes it easier to refer them to proper services.

By sharing a book, Spanish-speaking children of immigrant families are bonding and blending with local residents through day camps offered in Ackley.

Marilyn Mouw, of Sioux Center, helps provide a weekly, non-denominational worship service for Hispanic children. "I have done this for four years, but taking the ISU course helped me better understand their culture and realize how important it is for Spanish-speaking persons to feel that their rich cultural heritage is a contribution to the community," she said.

"The course was great," Mouw said. "It helped me understand how to relate to and appreciate the Latino cultures."

The Latino Cultural Communication course was offered three times this first year. Students often were service providers or diversity committee members who work with ISU Extension personnel.

Across the state ISU Extension is finding ways to strengthen communication and build bonds between the growing Hispanic population and Iowa's traditional population.

At the request of Hispanic residents, Buena Vista County Extension provided a series of money management courses to Hispanic adults who were also taking English-as-a-Second Language classes. Delivering food and nutrition information to qualified families is the job of the bilingual Buena Vista County program assistant.

Lousia County Extension, invited by the local school district to provide two weeks of afternoon programming during summer school, reached 80 Hispanic children with ISU Extension curriculum. Here too a bilingual program assistant is a strong link between county extension and the local Hispanic population.

A day camp offered by Hardin County Extension builds bonds between children of immigrant families and local residents.

ISU Extension also offers Spanish translations of publications dealing with child development, nutrition, food safety, pesticide safety and finances. Besides reaching their own clients with these materials, county extension offices receive calls from other provider agencies requesting educational material in Spanish.

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• Last update: Sept. 18, 2000