Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Asian American Advisory Council met July 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Council Members Present: Stany D’Souza; Nancy Rodriguez; Ryann Unabia; Jophia P. George
Council Members Excused: Sebastian Emmanuel; Benny Kuriakose; Jose Chacko; Jose Thomas; Khushbu S. Dalal; Michelle Buckle; Linson Thomas; Santhosh Kurian; Bino Simon; Joseph Antony; Michael Chan; Margaret S. Smith; Sarah Viernum; Suk M. Wong; Saju Philip
Kara Hamilton: Associate Deputy Director, External Communications and Advisory Groups Ada Tong: Chief of Asian American Services and Director’s Liaison Guests: Najma Adams; Sofia K. Dumlao
WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER
Stany D’Souza called meeting to order at 2:14pm and welcomed everyone. Stany welcomed our guests Najma Adams and Sophia K. Dumlao.
OLD BUSINESS:
Minutes
(tabled)
Asian American Star, Issue 4 for 2023 (Nancy Rodriguez, Star Newsletter Chairperson)
Nancy Rodriguez reported that the articles for the second half of 2023 was submitted to council members. Deadline for feed-back is 8-11-23. Nancy Rodriguez will send an email with the deadline for feed-back.
Recruitment of New Council Members, 2 of 21 (Stany D’Souza, Recruitment Chairperson)
Najma Adams introduced herself and provided her verbal nomination information. Sofia K. Dumlao introduced herself and provided verbal nomination information. Nisha Patel expressed interest in joining the meeting today but was unable to attend. There is no quorum today for voting.
6-2-2023 Family Institute Day (Nancy Rodriguez, Chairperson)
The DCFS Asian American Family Institute letter was drafted by Nancy Rodriguez. Council members reported that letter is fine for issuing to Loyola University staff, Exhibitors and Workshop Presenters. Nancy Rodriguez recommended that Ada Tong send the thank you letter to the Keynote Speaker. Vendors have not yet been paid. Ada Tong stated that payment gets issued by the Comptroller’s office.
Updates from the Chief of Asian American Services (Ada Tong)
Ada Tong stated that DCFS currently has 65 Asian American staff. June, 2023: There were 2 CWS separations in region 1 and 1 CPS separation in region 2. There has been 1 hire in region 1, 1 promotion in region 6. There was 1 internal movement in region 1.
NEW BUSINESS
Bylaws Revision
Stany D’Souza stated that there is no need to amend the bylaws. Stany D’Souza stated that we will keep DCFS -1911 and DCFS – Deerfield consistently as the in-person meeting sites and also provide virtual platform. The council can discuss POS sites in the future. Many council members are working virtually and will need virtual access to the monthly meetings. Kara Hamilton stated that she will check with Ethics for OMA requirements clarification about virtual attendance.
Any other matter
Nancy Rodriguez informed council members about Data Disaggregation. Nancy Rodriguez reported that Data Disaggregation refers to the separation of compiled information into smaller units to elucidate underlying trends and patterns. When data is collected in general categories without consideration for ethnic and cultural diversity, specific communities become invisible and subgroup disparities can be masked. Nancy Rodriguez stated that requirements of Data Disaggregation are listed in the Illinois Compiled Statues. Stany D’Souza recommended that the DCFS DEI Dept, Mr. Fitzgerald allow access to data disaggregation information for our council to review. Nancy Rodriguez agreed to send additional information on Data Disaggregation.
Next Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meeting is 8-23-2023
Meeting Adjournment
https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/impact-public-policy/documents/asian/asiancouncil-minutes-072623.pdf
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