What We Do
The Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs:
- Advocates for Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage
- Serves the needs of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in participating fully in the economic, social and cultural life of the state by coordinating the efforts of other state departments and providing assistance
- Assists, develops and coordinates other public or private organizations which serve Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage
- Informs Iowans about programs and agencies operating to assist people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage
The Office works closely with the Commission of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.
History
The Iowa Department of Human Rights was created in 1986 as an umbrella agency. Its mission is to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering underrepresented Iowans and eliminating economic, social, and cultural barriers.
On October 5, 2004, Governor Thomas Vilsack announced appointments to the Commission on the Status of Asian and Pacific Islanders (now the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs) within the Department of Human Rights. The commission was created by Senate File 2188, which Governor Vilsack signed into law on March 31, 2004.
Asian and Pacific Islanders in Iowa 2023
The full report is available here at Iowa Data Center Asian and Pacific Islander Report 2023
