Breakout Sessions

NALEO Education Leadership Initiative:
Policymaking in the New American Education Era
"Capitalizing on the Moment: Green Project Case Studies"
The quality of your school facilities can positively or negatively affect student learning. On average, school buildings in the United States are over forty years old, just the time when rapid deterioration sets in. Recent efforts to build new or renovate existing infrastructure reflect a national trend for publicly funded schools and colleges to “go green.” As the Federal Stimulus Package makes funding for capital projects more widely available, going green is a timely option for policymakers to consider. Through case studies of successful green projects, this session will highlight best practices and model capital projects that facilitate greener sources of energy, create jobs, and most importantly construct high quality education facilities for your community to enjoy.

NALEO Policy Institute on Healthy Communities:
Health Disparities and Latino Leadership - Working Together to Provide Solutions
"Leading Healthy Communities: Improving Public Health though Community Design"
Presenting Sponsor of the Healthy Communities Institute: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Session Sponsor: The California Endowment
The built environment of your community can contribute to or help counter Latino health disparities. Transportation infrastructure, neighborhood development, and planning for open space and parks, are all factors that can aid in the prevention of obesity and chronic disease. Latino elected officials hold key positions for making pertinent policy decisions and investments around issues affecting the built environment. During this session elected officials and community design experts will share model policies and strategies that local leaders can use to increase community access to healthy food and physical activity.

NALEO Policy Institute on Sustainable Communities:
Utilizing the Green Industry to Stimulate Local Economies
Building Infrastructure: Creating Demand for the "Green Industry"
Presenting Sponsor of the Sustainable Communities Institute: PepsiCo
Session Sponsor: Waste Management
The potential benefits of the Green Industry to struggling local economies are numerous, but in order for the industry to continue to grow there must be a demand for it. Public officials can implement “green” practices in the activities conducted by local government as a means to spur Green sector development. When cities lead by example and operate in green buildings or invest in sustainable infrastructure, they increase the demand for the Green Industry. This session will provide participants with best practices and effective tools for creating an increased demand for the green industry in their communities.

Breakout Sessions

Governing During Troubled Economic Times: Preserving Public Sector Jobs
Session Sponsor: SEIU
As jurisdictions face budget shortfalls, policymakers are confronted with the need to maintain a balanced budget while sustaining efforts to maintain and improve priorities like public safety, health
and education. This session will include a discussion on the collaboration needed between government entities, unions, and public sector workers to restore budgetary balance, while
maintaining the public sector’s ability to recruit and retain qualified and talented staff.

Governing During Troubled Economic Times: Surviving the Foreclosure Crisis
Session Sponsor: JPMorgan Chase
Recent and negative national trends in the housing market, further aggravated by serious damage to the banking system, have distressed communities throughout the country. Latino families have been disproportionately affected as the rate of foreclosures has increased rapidly, while the landscape of communities has been transformed. Elected officials face new challenges of blight, crime and new forms of predatory practices. Policymakers can play an important role in strengthening communities where residents can work and live. This session will provide an overview of the current state of housing; present creative strategies, and provide elected officials with tools to increase and protect homeownership and safe guard their communities from disrepair.

The New Washington and Comprehensive Immigration Reform
This year, our nation faces an unprecedented opportunity to make comprehensive immigration reform a reality. This program will provide an update on critical immigration policy developments, with perspectives from the Obama Administration and Congress. The program will also highlight how Latino elected officials can become involved in the advocacy campaign for comprehensive immigration reform, and the role of civic and community leaders in this effort.

Breakout Sessions

NALEO Education Leadership Initiative: Policymaking in the New American Education Era
"President Obama's Education Plan"
Sessioin Sponsors: State Farm Insurance Companies and USA Funds
The decisions you and our national leadership make about education in the coming years will shape the future for generations to come. Although the media has highlighted the new Administration’s plans to restore America’s public education system, there is still little known about the details of President Obama’s agenda. This session offers the opportunity to hear more about the President’s comprehensive education agenda, from early childhood to higher education. Be one of the first to hear how the President intends to increase educational opportunities for Latino students, by implementing a Zero to Five plan, reforming No Child Left Behind, addressing the dropout crisis and working to improve college affordability for students who wish to pursue a postsecondary degree.

NALEO Policy Institute on Healthy Communities:
Health Disparities and Latino Leadership - Working Together to Provide Solutions
"Innovative Policies to Build Healthy School Environments"
Presenting Sponsor of the Healthy Communities Institute: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Session Sponsor: Abbott Laboratories Inc.
Current federal and state legislation has mandated that public schools address school wellness. Fostering a healthy school environment is an effective approach to combat the negative trends of childhood obesity and the growing prevalence of type II diabetes among Latino youth. Despite constrained budgets and limited resources, school districts are successfully creating healthier environments for our children. This session will introduce elected officials to innovative school wellness approaches for combating childhood obesity. Presentations will include examples of cross-jurisdictional partnerships, where schools, cities and counties have worked together to further the common goal of community health.

NALEO Policy Institute on Sustainable Communities:
Utilizing the Green Industry to Stimulate Local Economies
"Stimulating Economies: Attracting Green Jobs into Your Community"
Presenting Sponsor of the Sustainable Communities Institute: PepsiCo
As the Green sector continues to grow, green companies are looking for ideal locations to open new or relocate businesses that will create jobs, stimulate local markets, and bring added revenue to local communities. With millions of sites to choose from, how does a community appeal to the Green sector? In this session, participants will learn how to successfully market their cities to green companies, while effectively communicating the benefits of the Green sector to community stakeholders.