NAHF executive committee members Dr. Luis Zayas and Dr. Lorena Gonzalez met with Carmen Nazario, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families in Washington recently. Nazario conducted a forum to engage Hispanic leaders from around the country in discussing ways to better connect with the Hispanic community, improve programs, and develop strategies to eliminate barriers to access ACF programs. Dr. Zayas emphasized the importance of the three pillars of NAHF, which include conducting relevant research, implementing programs that work through the family, and developing public policies that put families first.
Other NAHF members who attended the event included Jerry Tello, Fatherhood leader, Mercedes P. DeColon, AVANCE, Maria Elena Girone, president of Puerto Rican Family Institute, Elba Montalva of the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, and Alicia Diaz of the Cuban American National Council, Inc.
In addition to the forum, NAHF members met with leaders from the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services to encourage the pursuit of policies that serve Hispanic communities through the lens of families.
Pictured above: Jerry Tello, Lisa Cummins, Luiis Zayas, and Lorena Gonzalez in Washington