Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, African American Advisory Council met June 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Council Members Present: Stany D’Souza; Nancy Rodriguez; Maggie Mui
Kara Hamilton: Associate Deputy Director, External Communications and Advisory Groups
Ada Tong: Chief of Asian American Services and Director’s Liaison
Brooke Taylor: DCFS Training
Guests: Michelle Grove
Excused: Sebastian Emmanuel; Benny Kuriakose; Santhosh Kurian; Bino Simon; Saju Philip; Michael Chan; Jose Chacko; Thomas Linson; Michelle L. Buckle; Jophia P. George; Ryann M. Unabia
WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER
Stany D’Souza called meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES (tabled due to no quorum today)
OLD BUSINESS:
Asian American Star (Bi-Annual Newsletter)
Nancy reported that the Star newsletter was completed but is waiting for letter from Sebastian Emmanuel and the amended AAAC history pages from Ada Tong.
DCFS Asian American Advisory Council History
Ada Tong stated that she will follow-up on the AAAC history amendments.
Recruitment of New Council Members
Nancy reported that the three nominees are: Khushbu S. Dalal, Margaret S. Smith and Suk M. Wong.
Special Guests Michelle Grove and Kim Willis Presentation on Support Services Michelle Grove introduced herself. She is the Associate Deputy Director of Permanency Support in the DCFS Department of Permanency. She is recruiting for the foster-parent council, birth parent council and adoption parent council. She will return to this council with more information and with brochures and literature.
Family Institute Day (June 24, 2022 / Ada, Chair-person)
Ada provided an update on the Family Institute event of 6-24-2022. The event is currently in the D-Net for people to register. Ada went over the program book and made amendments with council members feed-back.
Professional Development (Stany, Chair-person / tabled)
Updates from the Chief of Asian American Services
Ada Tong reported that events such as the Boat Race and Chinatown Summer Fair are opportunities for employee and foster parent recruitment conducted by DCFS.
Officers Nominations and Elections (tabled)
OMA Training (https://foiapac.ilag.gov/)
Completion certificate to be sent to Nancy Rodriguez and CC Ada Tong.
2022 Ethics Training beginning 6-1-22 ( https://OneNet.Illinois.gov/MyTraining )
Completion certificate to be sent to Nancy Rodriguez and CC Ada Tong.
2022 Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training beginning 6-1-22 (One Net)
Completion certificate to be sent to Nancy Rodriguez and CC Ada Tong.
NEW BUSINESS
Asian American Cook Book
Nancy Rodriguez reported that we are seeking from council members and others to provide Asian American recipes to form an Asian American cook book.
Calendar Changes for November and December, 2022
The AAAC meetings are generally conducted the 4th Wednesday of every month from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. But due to holidays in November and December, the meetings need to be changed and conducted earlier to accommodate those going on vacation for the holidays. November meeting will be conducted on 11-16-2022. December meeting will be conducted on 12-14-2022. Meeting for July was changed to 7-20-2022 to accommodate Ada Tong’s participation. Nancy Rodriguez will update the Fiscal Year 2023 calendar and send to Kara Hamilton for D-Net posting.
Any other matter
Kara Hamilton stated that there is a new training called Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Kara will have more information in the next meeting.
Meeting Adjournment
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/Asian/AsianCouncil_Minutes_062222.pdf
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