We acknowledge that ORPARC’s physical library sits on the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands belonging to indigenous peoples since time immemorial, and services all of Oregon. Our library also serves a growing, potential child welfare-eligible population that includes additional indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees and/or struggling families with roots in Hispanic/Latinx countries, particularly Mexico. ORPARC hopes to use an Award to grow and promote our Hispanic/Latinx collection with the goal of giving foster/adoptive, guardianship, and kin families parenting these children – and their supporting community providers – accessible, culturally-themed, Hispanic/Latinx-authored and/or illustrated, and/or bilingual/Spanish language materials to bolster the health and wellbeing of children in care.

Within Oregon child welfare, Hispanic/Latinx children are disproportionately underserved, due in part to the dearth of well-prepared, Spanish-speaking caregivers, providers and services. All children interacting with child welfare systems are at increased health vulnerability due to poverty, abuse, neglect, violence, malnutrition, food and housing insecurity or substance exposure. Hispanic/Latinx children face additional impacts of generational trauma and culture loss from racism, language barriers, immigration, and/or the stressors of relatives living without legal documentation. Hispanic/Latinx communities comprise a rich, diverse diaspora. However, we know that preservation of culture and language is intrinsically tied to health.