Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Latino Advisory Council Met Jan. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Present: Nancy Rodriguez, Evelyn Martinez, Jose Lopez, Vanessa Castro, Jennifer Contreras, Juanita Calderon, Jose Garcia, Azalea Mejia, Beatriz Ramirez, Yeni Rojas, Dennis Delgado, Patricia Aguilar, Cynthia Valentin, Liliana Romero, Julia Monzon
Excused: Sydnie Juarez, Coty Corcoles
Guests: Anabel Michal, Richard Echevarria, Daisy Lopez, Deborah Salgado, Rosa Molina, Sherry Cobbins
A. Welcome
Participants were welcomed to the LAC Annual Retreat and introductions were complete.
B. Accomplishments See attachment reviewed by Nancy
C. Leadership Workshop ‐ Sherry Cobbins
Sherry Cobbins, DCFS, conducted a mini workshop on Leadership. She discussed identifying your leadership language, leadership style and your “why.” Identifying your leadership language is important as leaders need to have the ability to communicate and knowing your leadership style helps you identify how you interact with others. A person’s leadership style changes depending on their environment. A leader cannot be emotional and it’s important to put feelings aside and address the elephant in the room.
Identifying your “Why”, allows you to focus on your purpose and self‐reflect. It’s important to develop SMART GOALS that are specific, measurable, and realistic. You need to write down your goals in order to hold self‐ accountable. Being open to receive feedback from others, embrace failures and celebrate milestones are needed.
D. Vision Casting: See attachment guided by Evelyn.
E. Goals:
Members developed and discussed goals they would like accomplished in 2021. The following were the goals discussed for LAC:
∙ LAC meet with DCFS Director and DCFS leadership
∙ Blend leadership styles and remain mindful of our own leadership styles and allow for safe conversation
∙ Increase unity within LAC by providing professional development and mentoring opportunities
∙ Improve recruitment and increase inclusivity
∙ Have open communication with all LAC members
∙ Increase POS members within LAC
∙ Listen to everyone and rephrase statements in positive manner
∙ LAC leadership to facilitate conversations to create understanding and develop positive outcomes
∙ Increase access and active member participation by 75%
∙ Increase partnerships with internal DCFS, higher education institutions and external community collaborations
∙ To maintain joint council meetings and increase participation on joint projects
∙ Continue the success of DCFS Institute Day and DCFS Professional Development Day
∙ Continue seeking quality speakers and presenters for LAC events
∙ Continue advocating for our bilingual Latino community and staff
∙ Continue improving communication through technology
∙ Continue DCFS Summits
∙ Continue Burgos compliance reminders
∙ Inspire a culture of honoring and celebrating one another
∙ Continue team building
∙ Create a recruitment and retention plan among DCFS staff and foster parents
∙ Continue to develop and submit timely committee reports
∙ Advocate for increase of Bilingual pay to DCFS and POS staff
F. Committees Review:
Each committee and members met via virtual break out rooms to review committee name, description, develop vision and create Smart Goals.
G. Bylaws:
The third reading of the LAC bylaws were reviewed, amended and approved by majority vote and one abstention.
H. Open Forum for Members and Guests
Next Meeting: Committee Smart Goals will be due on February 17, 2021 at the next meeting on WebEx.
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/LAC/LAC_Minutes_012021.pdf
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