Findlay welcomes workforce

FINDLAY — In Findlay and Hancock County some companies have recruited immigrants to join their workforces, according to Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn. Muryn "Immigrants were made aware of positions within our community by a local manufacturer who contracted with a staffing agency," she explained. "The staffing agency happens to focus on working with immigrants." It's estimated that about 1,000 Haitian immigrants are living in Findlay and about 1,500 are in the county. Muryn said she does not know each immigrant's specific status but "it appears the majority of (immigrants) are here on temporary protected status." When asked why immigrants are coming to the Findlay area, Muryn said they are "seeking a better life." Immigrants are either being housed of their own means in rentals or hotel rooms, the mayor said. She does not anticipate "a significant growth in immigrant population" because the city does not have "housing available and the housing that is being developed is still higher priced than neighboring communities." When it comes to the community adjusting to the immigrant population, she said the community is adjusting well. "I believe that folks coming to our community are looking for a better life and are here through a legal process," she said. "There is certainly concern, which is valid, given the language barrier and national concern around immigration policy." Muryn said Findlay has not seen an increase in crime. The biggest challenge the community is facing with the increased immigrant population is the language barrier, particularly in emergency response and court services. The city infrastructure is not facing challenges, however, dueto the increased number of immigrants. "Local organizations are utilizing on demand translation services, translating paperwork and trying to educate on cultural differences," Muryn said. "Overall, our community is adapting well but there is certainly a challenge, especially when it comes to educating the population on how healthcare works in our country and where to go for what service." Immigration task force The city formed an immigration task force was to provide "a short-term process to assist in the enhancement of the existing social-social network to meet the needs of the growing immigrant populations," according to the City of Findlay's website. "The work of the task force has highlighted areas of disparity among our local community members and supports efforts to sustain, improve and increase the delivery of social services to all residents of Findlay (and) Hancock County," the description continues. The task force's strategic was updated in August. The plan includes 24 action items as follows. 1. Create a summary document of translation services and resources which was identified as a top priority by the task force. 2. Focus on community-based education regarding the immigration process and understanding cultural differences, which is also a top priority. 3. Complete a thorough walk of all social services offered in the community with references to services offered to immigrant populations. 4. Create an informal translators list (individuals qualified to help in situations that do not require certified translators). 5. Create a formal list of certified translators. 6. Ensure the voices of immigrant communities are included in all aspects of community planning. 7. Support schools in meeting the needs of immigrant children and families (including addressing preparation for workforce, secondary education, childcare, transcripts and more). 8. Reinforce the importance of separating national immigration reform challenges from the needs of immigrants in the community. 9. Determine healthcare barriers among immigrant populations and develop appropriately scaled responses to reduce. 10. Develop and implement a Community Liaison position at Hancock Public Health. 11. Create a comprehensive data collection process to measure the impact of immigrant communities to allow for a continued, appropriately scaled response. 12. Increase cooperation of First Diversity staffing agency to address unintended consequences of recruiting immigrant population workforce. 13. Increase cooperation of all employers to participate in efforts to address unforeseen challenges of hiring immigrant populations. 14. Determine appropriate ways to assist immigrant populations with barriers to gainful employment. 15. Study and develop opportunities to provide transportation to second and third shift employees. 16. Create language cards with common phrases (distribute broadly throughout the community and social services agencies). 17. Promote events and activities that celebrate cultures. 18. Provide support to Cultural Connections, Borderless Connection Committee, Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center and Arts and Heritage Council. 19. Educate immigrant populations on housing culture and regulations. 20. Translate leases to increase accountability and understanding for immigrant populations. 21. Encourage landlords to work with employers to get background check information. 22. Study and develop a potential plan for better access to employment, medical appointments and more. 23. Create translated community resource information pamphlets for immigrant populations. 24. Offer a resource fair (similar to No Wrong Door or Helping Hands) with translation services available on site. "This is a complex topic, and I want to ensure that it is clear the City of Findlay is not bringing immigrants to our community, and we are not funding them," Muryn concluded. "We simply are a desirable location to be and that is a positive, but it also comes with some challenges. We will continue to work from our strategic plan and adjust our plan as new challenges are identified." The strategic plan and other information about the immigration task force are available on the City of Findlay's website.