Welcome to Conexiones Latinas! We're an organization whose primary mission is to inform and educate the Hispanic community regarding services and resources in Jefferson, Walworth, Rock and Dodge counties.

Originally formed in 1997 to enhance health delivery systems in Jefferson County, our group soon branched out by recruiting representatives from its current four-county area and formalizing its structure with the establishment of a board of directors and elected officers.

We have since achieved de facto non-profit status under the aegis of Fort Atkinson Memorial Health Services which has allowed us to secure funding through the generosity of the United Way of Jefferson, Dodge and North Walworth Counties and the Dodge-Jefferson Healthier Community Partnership.

These resources enable us to publish a quarterly newsletter (circ. 3000) that contains articles which deal with a wide variety of subjects ranging from serious health, legal and social issues to light holiday topics.

Other major projects currently under development are:

• Formation of a comprehensive directory of individuals offering translation services
• Organization and publication of a Spanish-language resource guide
• Establishment of a scholarship fund for Hispanic students pursuing post-secondary education

We're looking for people that believe in the power of diversity; people who want to make a difference in their community; people who believe that a few committed persons can make a difference. It is possible. We're living proof. If you're that kind of person, please join us. We need your help, and we welcome your participation.

If you'd like to submit an article or place a classified/display ad in our quarterly newsletter, you can phone Jodi Roberts at 920-568-5018 (FAX 920-568-5023, e-mail: jodi.roberts@famhs.org). Please remember that Conexiones Latinas reserves the right to review and revise news articles when appropriate.

Open meetings are held at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital, 611 E. Sherman Avenue, on the third Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November at 8:30 a.m. Check with the receptionist for room locations. We look forward to seeing you!

The Jefferson County Literacy Council, Inc. offers free help to adults who need assistance reading, writing, speaking, or understanding English. The program is set up so that one person helps another person on an individual basis. Participating public libraries in the following cities have volunteers that can teach English:

• Fort Atkinson
• Cambridge
• Jefferson
• Johnson Creek
• Lake Mills
• Palmyra
• Waterloo
• Watertown
• Whitewater

The director, Jill Ottow, can be reached at (920) 563-5027. There are messages in English and Spanish and you can leave a message in English or in Spanish.

Look Out For Lead

Houses or apartments built before 1980?  Children younger than 6 years?  If you answer yes to these two questions, you need to take precautions regarding lead paint.  Children under 6 years old can easily suffer lead poisoning from the dust or chipped paint that gets on their toys or hands as they crawl around on the floors.  Toddlers may even chew on window sills or doorways and ingest lead paint that way.  When children ingest lead paint it can cause sickness and also problems with learning, growth, and behavior for their entire lives.  Even a small amount of lead can be dangerous.

Some things you can do.  1.  Have your kids checked for lead levels.  This can be done through the local health department or your family doctor can order the blood test to check for lead.  If a high level is found, follow-up tests may be required to be sure that the levels are dropping.  2.  Take precautions.  You can find lead just by looking for old paint that is pealing.  The dust from the paint is harder to see, but is just as dangerous.  If you find lead paint, you and your landlord should take steps to prevent more problems.  Important – It is illegal for the landlord to remove a tenant for complaining about the condition of the residence, such as reporting lead paint.  3.  Clean up the lead.  Once you know where it is, you can do something about it.  You do not have to resolve the problem by yourself.  Under Wisconsin law, the landlord is responsible for the control and reduction of the dangers of lead.

What you should know about the law.  It is required that the landlord inform you about the danger of lead when you sign a rental agreement.  Under Federal law, landlords are required to provide a pamphlet entitled “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.”  They should also provide you with any results of previous lead tests that have been done on the property.  For more information, contact your local health department.