In 2006, White students graduating from Napa High School were eight times as likely to be eligible for four-year university as their fellow Latino graduates. Historically, little action has been taken to understand and address the root causes of this and other educational inequities in Napa. In response, OTM established the Napa Educational Equity Initiative. This effort seeks to impact the low levels of civic engagement and academic success among Latino students and their families enrolled in a combination of five partner schools. The initiative utilizes multiple strategies, including youth leadership academies; expanding access to health and social services; arts integration for academic success; and citizen -led community initiatives.

What’s next? OTM intends to address the disparities in educational opportunities for low-income Latino children and youth by training parents to understand and advocate for services and programs for their children.