Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Latino Advisory Council met Jan. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Present: Vanessa Castro, Yeni Rojas, Rosa Molina Lasalle, Azalea Mejia, Beatriz Ramirez, Evelyn Martinez, Juan Garcia, Jose Lopez, Juan Maldonado, Melissa Martinez, Nancy Rodriguez, Moises Jimenez, and Jennifer Contreras
Excused: Julia Monzon, Liliana Romero
Guests: Kara Hamilton
A. Welcome
Participants were welcomed and introductions were complete.
B. Positive Vibes
Members were able to share positive experiences.
C. Review & Approval of December 2021 Minutes
The December 2021 minutes were reviewed, amended and approved by majority vote.
D. Committee Written Reports (Review of retreat and committee annual goals
a. Child Safety, Risk Reduction and Permanency – Yeni Rojas Moises Jimenez and Melissa Martinez were nominated for Child& Safety Risk Reduction & Permanency committee chair. The committee is continuing with objectives and goals.
b. Data Analysis, Disproportionality and Staffing – Nancy Rodriguez: Nancy Rodriguez reported the Data Analysis, Disproportionality and Staffing annual report was submitted to Kara Hamilton.
c. Strategic Communications – Julia Monzon
No Strategic Communications report given.
d. POS Collaboration– Jennifer Contreras & Jose J. Lopez. Jennifer Contreras reported a committee meeting will be scheduled for early February 2022. There is a need for more members for the POS committee. The committee needs a list of DCFS and POS staff that signed up for the conference to help recruit more members.
Jennifer Contreras reported there has not been a meeting scheduled with Jason House.
E. Office of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Report by Jose Lopez.
Jose Lopez reported DCFS is starting the Latino Youth Advisory Affinity group. The upcoming meeting is January 25, 2022. There needs to be at least 10 youth in care to attend. Youth that participate will be offered a stipend of approximately $50.
The US Census is providing a 3-hour training on how to use Census data. The Diversity Equality and Inclusion Office created a cultural competence survey that will be available to all staff.
F. Open Forum
a. Open Meetings Act-New Members
Open Meeting website is not yet available.
b. Joint Council Chair Meeting
Joint Council meetings have not been set up. Jose Lopez will work to set up a meeting by the end of the month.
c. By Law Review Group Meeting (POS/Professional Dev. Day Chair, other). There was discussion to add POS chair as the chair of Professional Development Day. A motion was placed and passed with majority vote and one abstention.
G. New Business
a. Reinstatement Vote: Azalea Mejia was reinstated as member of LAC as she returned within six month and left in good standing.
Azalea Mejia was voted by majority of votes to be reinstated.
b. Awards Committee Criteria:
There was discussion on the Awards Committee criteria. LAC members are not eligible to receive awards. LAC will be giving awards to DCFS and POS staff that reach 30 years plus of service.
c. LAC Family Institute Day Feedback: Nancy Rodriquez reported that feedback/evaluations from the LAC Family Institute Day was positive.
d. CWAC Update
Yeni Rojas and Evelyn Martinez are assigned to represent LAC at CWAC meetings.
e. POS and DCFS LAC new members recruitment.
LAC will be sending welcome letters to new staff inviting them to LAC meetings.
f. Nomination & Retention of LAC members for March 2022. At the March 2022 LAC meeting, the following members are up for reinstatement: Vanessa Castro, Nancy Rodriguez, Jennifer Contreras, Coty Corcoles, Jose Garcia, and Liliana Romero.
H. Next General Meeting – February 16, 2022
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/LAC/LAC_Minutes_011922.pdf
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