County Educators propose new bilingual program assistant to address Hispanic community needs

Dubois County is poised to enhance its community services with a proposal aimed at better addressing the needs of its growing Hispanic population. During a recent meeting, the county extension director presented a plan to eliminate a vacant administrative assistant position and replace it with a dedicated bilingual program assistant. This change is designed to improve outreach and educational services for the county's increasing Hispanic residents, which have risen from 7.9% in 2020 to 10.2% in 2024.

The proposal highlights the significant demographic shifts in Dubois County, particularly within local schools, where Hispanic students now make up a substantial portion of the population. For instance, Southwest School has approximately 2,000 Hispanic students, while Greater Jasper has around 3,200. The extension director emphasized that many of these residents may not speak English fluently, creating a gap in access to essential services and educational resources.

The new bilingual program assistant would not only support the existing educational programs but also lead initiatives specifically tailored to the Hispanic community, such as the Juntos 4-H group, which focuses on family engagement and cultural inclusivity. The director noted that there is a pressing need for services like diabetes education in Spanish, which currently cannot be adequately provided.

Support for the proposal was echoed by community leaders present at the meeting, who underscored the importance of adapting to the county's evolving demographic landscape. The board members expressed their willingness to consider the proposal further, with plans to revisit the discussion in two weeks.

This initiative reflects a broader trend among local organizations to hire dedicated personnel who can effectively serve diverse populations. As Dubois County continues to grow and diversify, the establishment of this position is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring that all residents have access to the resources and support they need. The community looks forward to the potential positive impact of this change on its multicultural landscape.