Levantando Voces: Meaningful Inclusive Engagement in Latino Communities

Certification Maintenance

Course Details

Learn skills and strategies for effective engagement with Latino and Spanish-speaking communities, whose contributions are vital to shaping inclusive and equitable cities. In light of the nation’s rapidly evolving demographics, it is essential to recognize the cultural, economic, and social importance of Latino communities in planning and shaping inclusive and equitable cities.

In recognizing that inclusive planning is more than understanding demographics, the Latinos in Planning Division researched and developed an action-oriented, inclusive engagement guide that catalyzes building bridges, breaking down barriers, and cultivating environments where Latino communities can actively and effectively participate in the planning process.

Planners involved in developing the guide offer highlights, including innovative approaches to overcoming communication barriers and building trust, holistic engagement activities, implicit bias and discrimination, and accessibility and mobility issues. Practical insights, best practices, and case studies underlie actionable solutions and ideas to drive effective change and engagement in Latino communities. Leave with a deeper understanding of creating communities that reflect Latino populations’ values and needs while amplifying their voices. 

Learning Outcomes

• Understand that an engagement guide that embraces diversity within Latino communities and involves them in the planning process is essential to creating inclusive, equitable, and prosperous cities.
• Understand the importance of linguistic and cultural competence, recognizing that language barriers are often symbolic of broader communication gaps that need to be bridged.
• Examine the significance of addressing accessibility and trust issues in Latino communities.