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INTRODUCTION

Founded in 199 6, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAP A) is a coalition of 35 national Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) organizations striving for equity and justice by organizing our diverse strengths to influence policy and shape public narratives.

In 2004, NCAP A issued its first Policy Platform of recommendations related to the AANHPI communities. Every four years since, we have presented issues, concerns and opportunities that are critical to AANHPIs . While this platform is not intended to represent the comprehensive scope or reach of all issues addressed by our member organizations, we hope it will serve as a launching pad to address issues relevant to our communities. It begins by describing who we are and highlighting three crosscutting priorities: data disaggregation, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and diverse representation in government. It then recommends policy solutions to advance civil rights; promote the interests of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; reform the immigration system; secure economic justice and a ffordable, stable housing; expand educational opportunities; and live healthy lives. Next, it outlines a plan to examine the unique issues faced by the AANHPI aging community and its family caregivers. Finally, it concludes with a look at next steps and civic engagement.

NCAP A s erves to represent the interests of the greater AANHPI communities and to provide a national voice for AANHPI issues, but we do not speak on behalf of all AANHPI community members or AANHPI organizations. NCAPA is a project of the Tides Center, and the following is a list of our members:

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Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

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Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund*

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Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote

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Asian American Psychological Association*

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC

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Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies*

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Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO

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Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership

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Association of Asian Pacific Commun ity Health Organizations

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Boat People SOS

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Center for Asian American Media*

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Center for Asian Pacific American Women*

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Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

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Hmong National Development, Inc.

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Japanese American Citizens League

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Laotian American National Alliance

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Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics*

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National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

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National Asian Pacific American Bar Associat ion

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National Asian Pacific American Families Ag ainst Substance Abuse

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National Asian

Pacific American Women’s Forum

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National Asian Pacific Center on Aging

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National Assoc iation of Asi an American Profess ionals*

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National Coal ition for Asia n Pacific American Commun ity Development

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National Cou ncil of Asian P acific Islander P hysicians

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National Federa tion of Fili pino American Associations*

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National Japanes e American Mem orial Foundation*

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National Korean American Service & Education Consortium

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National Queer Asian Pacific I slander Alliance

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OCA

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Asian Pacific American Advocates

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Payu-ta, Inc.*

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Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund

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South Asian Americans Leading Together

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South Asian Bar Association of North America

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