CPA recently welcomed Christine Hernandez, four-term state legislator from Texas, as Director of the Southwest Policy Leaders Forum. The Southwest Forum, modeled after successful CPA programs in the southeast and west, will bring together Hispanic state legislators and community leaders from across the southwest to share ideas and work toward common goals.

"The number of Latino state legislators is growing," said Hernandez. "We’ll work to make sure these emerging leaders have the resources they need to effectively shape policy solutions. CPA gives Hispanic legislators a chance to come together and share their good ideas through this forum."

Hernandez, who has an extensive background in education and taught school for ten years, represented the San Antonio area in the state legislature and was dean of the Bexar County legislative delegation.

While in the legislature, Hernandez served on the Appropriations, Calendars and Public Education committees and was appointed to the Select Committee on Revenue and Public Education.

Education continues to be a front-line issue for Latino legislators. In particular, high drop-out rates continue to plague Hispanic communities.

"How will we provide an education safety net for Latino children? The farther they fall behind in school early on, the greater their chances of dropping out as they get older," noted Hernandez. Early childhood, afterschool and summer school programs have the capacity to focus children on school at a young age and decrease the risk of them dropping out as they get into high school, she added.

"As a former state legislator, Christine brings with her a wealth of experiences and a real knowledge of what it takes to be an advocate for change," said Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). "We at NALEO are excited about collaborating with CPA to work toward the common goal of empowering Latinos to fully participate in the American dream."

Hernandez was honored for her work in the Texas state legislature at Women’s Legislative Days in Austin, Texas on March 1, 1999.

Next on the agenda for Hernandez and the Southwest Forum is a series of state roundtables to be held in the spring, and a region-wide conference in the fall.