Free Webinars on Education 
for Immigrant Families
IDRA Launches Bilingual Online Portal to Continue Assistance with the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio During COVID-19 Closures
See Spanish version of this release.
Virtual VOE webinars
San Antonio, May 11, 2020  -  
Through its Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa (Window to Education), IDRA launched a portal this month with bilingual materials and videos for families. The materials provide information on the civil rights of immigrant and English learner students, local educational services, and resources on how to access and succeed in college.

IDRA and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Antonio began a partnership in mid-2019 and in the last year helped over 3,000 Mexican and Mexican American families navigate the U.S. education system and learn about important educational opportunities in both countries. Since schools and the Consulate closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, families cannot currently access the information in person.
 
VOE flier
"Our new Virtual VOE connects families with vital information about educational resources that are more needed than ever," said IDRA President & CEO Celina Moreno. "When families have the key information they need, they not only take steps for their own families, they support others as well."
 
Deputy Consul Susana Monreal said, "La Ventanilla Virtual VOE, impulsada a través de una gran alianza con IDRA, nos permite seguir ofreciendo información y asesorías a la comunidad Mexicana sobre las oportunidades, programas y servicios educativos, a los cuales pueden acceder durante estos tiempos difíciles y así poder continuar con su preparación académica." 

["The Virtual VOE, promoted through a great alliance with IDRA, allows us to continue offering information and advice to the Mexican community about educational opportunities, programs and services that they can access during these difficult times and thus be able to continue with their academic preparation."]
 
The "Virtual VOE" resources in English and Spanish are online at https://idra.news/VOE-Webinars . Video topics include:
  • Rights of Immigrant Students in PreK-12 Schools
  • Navigating the U.S. K-12 Education System
  • College Financial Aid Opportunities for Immigrant Students
  • Adult and Community Education Opportunities in Spanish
  • Educational Opportunities in Mexico for Nationals Living in Both Countries
IDRA also has connected with San Antonio school districts to provide resources to families they serve throughout the school year. Partnering VOE districts include: East Central ISD, Edgewood ISD, Northeast ISD, Northside ISD, San Antonio ISD, Southside ISD and Southwest ISD.
Media contact: Christie L. Goodman, APR, IDRA Director of Communications,  christie.goodman@idra.org, 210-807-0016
The Intercultural Development Research Association is an independent, non-profit organization. Our mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college. IDRA strengthens and transforms public education by providing dynamic training; useful research, evaluation, and frameworks for action; timely policy analyses; and innovative materials and programs.

We are committed to the IDRA valuing philosophy, respecting the knowledge and skills of the individuals we work with and build on the strengths of the students and parents in their schools.