El cuidado de salud. (Healthcare)

Reviewed by Bruce Jensen, Spanish in Our Libraries, CA -- Críticas, 3/15/2007

REVIEWED WITH:
El sistema legal.
(Legal System)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 22 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

La ayuda pública.
(Public Assistance)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 20 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

La educación.
(Education)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 20 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

La inmigración.
(Immigration)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 20 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

Las finanzas.
(Finances)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 22 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

Los impuestos.
(Taxes)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 34 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

Spanish-speaking immigrants will find a wealth of practical, instantly useful information in these videos. Each short episode presents valuable information to help newcomers understand several topics: options for getting healthcare; the U.S. legal and criminal justice systems; banking and personal finances; education, including adult education as well as K–12 and post-secondary schooling; public assistance programs; U.S. immigration law; and taxes. (Three other titles—Employment, Housing, and Transportation—with information that varies from state to state are sold only in Iowa.) Each video begins with an introduction by theater and film great Luis Valdez and blends advice from experts with appealingly clear graphics and scenes of everyday people dealing with relevant life-skills situations. The production values are high, and the information is sound and detailed enough to be of immediate benefit. Key dates determining Medicaid qualification, for example, are emphasized with an animated calendar. Each video includes a booklet with an English translation of the entire episode. The producers suggest viewing these at home or in small groups; they would indeed be excellent supplements in ESL and other adult education courses. Recommended for all libraries, particularly those in areas with fast-growing Spanish-language immigrant populations.