Illinois Department of Children and Family Services African American Advisory Council met July 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Present: Sebastian Emmanuel; Stany D’Souza; Nancy Rodriguez; Maggie Mui
Kara Hamilton, Associate Deputy Director of Communications; Advisory Board Coordinator
Guests: Kim Willis; Anita Patel; Suk M. Wong
WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER
Sebastian Emmanuel called meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Tabled due to lack of quorum) 3-9-2022 Minutes
3-23-2022 Minutes
4-27-2022 Minutes
5-25-2022 Minutes
6-22-2022 Minutes
OLD BUSINESS:
Asian American Star (Bi-Annual Newsletter)
Nancy reported that the articles were sent to Ada Tong. Ada Tong is attempting to include and revise the AAAC History pages. Nancy reported that once approved, the issuance of the AAAC newsletter in D-Net is scheduled for August 2022.
DCFS Asian American Advisory Council History
Ada Tong is not available today for an update about the completed history pages revision. Stany suggested and Nancy agreed that the history pages can be included as is in the event the revision is not completed in time. The revised copy can then be included in the 2023 newsletter.
Recruitment of New Council Members
The new nominees are:
Suk M. Wong
Khushbu S. Dalal
Margaret S. Smith
Special Guests Michelle Grove and Kim Willis Presentation on Support Services
Kim Willis of Office of Caregiver and Parent Support was present. Presentation was provided in the last meeting. Nancy Rodriguez received the program descriptions from Tiffany A. Norton regarding the three councils: Birth Parents; Adoption Parents; Foster-parents. Nancy Rodriguez sent these descriptions to council members during this meeting. Nancy Rodriguez requested for all three virtual invites to be provided so that child welfare staff can forward those invites to bio-parents, adoption parents and foster-parents willing to participate.
Family Institute Day (June 24, 2022 / Ada, Chairperson)
Ada Tong was not available for an update. Council members stated that we can have more participants in our annual event if the event is held in May, the Asian American heritage month. Many people go on vacation in June and July. The African American Advisory Council held their Juneteenth celebration event one week apart from our annual event. Limited council members participated.
Professional Development (November / Stany, Chairperson)
Stany will find out soon if he will be able to continue to lead the Professional Development event.
Updates from the Chief of Asian American Services (tabled) Officers Nominations and Elections
Stany stated that to hold elections of officers, the council membership needs to first be stabilized and quorum achieved.
OMA Training (https://foiapac.ilag.gov/)
OMA training should be completed once by council members. Copy of certificates should be sent to Nancy Rodriguez.
2022 Ethics Training beginning 6-1-22
( https://OneNet.Illinois.gov/MyTraining)
and
2022 Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training beginning 6-1-22 (One Net)
The annual Ethics training and the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention training should be completed annually by council members. These two training are mandated trainings for all child welfare staff. Kara Hamilton will review lists to see if there are council members who have not yet completed these two trainings.
NEW BUSINESS
Asian American Cookbook
Nancy Rodriguez will send emails to council members requesting Asian American recipes to put together for our Asian American cookbook.
Fiscal Year 2023 AAAC Calendar and Changes for November and December 2022
The fiscal year 2023 Asian American Advisory Council meeting dates are posted in the D-Net.
Any other matter (none)
Meeting Adjournment
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/Asian/AsianCouncil_Minutes_072022.pdf
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