1901 North Dupont Highway

MEETING: Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs

State of Delaware MEETING DATE: LOCATION: Governor’s Advisory Legislative Hall Council on Hispanic Affairs January 18, 2007 House Majority Caucus Room Dover, Delaware 1901 North Dupont Highway Charles Debnam Building Delaware Health & Social Services Campus START TIME: 6:30 PM END TIME: 8:30 PM Wilmington DE 19720

TOPIC CONTENT

Attendees Council members: Jorge Camacho, Wanda Lopez, Maria Cabrera, Cherisse Carlisle, Maria Matos, Margaret Reyes, Harry Sanchez Support: Keyla Rivero-Rodriguez, Governor Minner Office-Constituent Relations Hispanic Affairs Guests: Anne Green (Sussex Smiles), Glenn Luedtke (Director of Sussex Emergency Medical Services), Evelyn Diaz (Diaz & Diaz Interpreting & Translations), Crystal Beach (DAFB HR Development Council- promoting diversity in ranks, , Sylvia Goodard (Printing & Publishing), Luis Feldstein (Skadden Arps), Doris Gonzalez (Telemon Headstart Program)

Welcome Jorge opened the meeting and welcomed GACHA members and guests.

Agenda/Minutes Review October & November minutes and approve at next meeting due to lack of quorum

Guest Speaker: Mr. Luedtke is the Director of the Sussex Emergency Medical Service (EMS). EMS in Glen Luedtke, EMS Delaware provides unique full time life support services: 81 paramedics & 8 supervisors, an educational division, and volunteer fire service. The 21 firehouses handled 15000 calls in 2006. It takes 2 years to become a paramedic. DTCC is limited to 25 paramedics per year. New Castle County started the program and all counties adopted the paramedic student program. The program hires a student and pays their school expenses. Delaware recruits recruit outside the state as well; the state has some of the highest standards with requirements for paramedics which make it difficult to qualify as a candidate. Issues: Sussex Hispanic community growing but the paramedic force is not diversified. Mr. Luedtke is looking for ambassadors to broaden membership and recruit bilingual candidates. The job pays a starting salary of $36,000 a year with a range to $57,000 based on experience. They currently link to the helpline if they need translator. Goals are to help the Hispanic community educate itself in emergency health care like CPR - to raise awareness and increase chance of survival for a victim.

Guest Speaker: Anne Green works for Sussex Smiles, a non profit organization that provides dental for low Anne Green, Sussex income families in Sussex County. Low income adults in Sussex County need dental care. A Smiles discussion with Brian Olsen (La Red) and Deborah Singletary (Delmarva Rural Ministries) proved that OB/GYN & Dental are both problematic areas. There is a distinct correlation with healthy mouths and healthy pregnancy. The state tests only 10 dentists per year – offers federal student loan forgiveness – over 20 on medical assistance no dental coverage. She is advocating for legislation changes to address the shortage of dentist in the state. Currently emergency rooms are reimbursed ¼ million for emergency treatment, they have grant-in-aid. Sussex Smiles is seeking funding to cover the salary for a dentist and an assistant secretary to work with volunteers – asking for GACHA’s support – trying to get another Charity Dental License.

Education Committee Maria Matos and Yvette Santiago setting up a meeting with Martha Brooks, assistant to the Secretary of Education Valarie Woodruff, designated by the governor to serve as the DOE liaison to GACHA's ED committee)

Health Committee Milton Delgado – updated all on the translation of the Delaware HelpLine and the production of the GACHA Uno Cards (bilingual reference cards with Hispanic serving organizations. Maria Matos suggested that the council have final review and approval of proof before it’s printed.

Economic Development Maria Cabrera announced the formation of the Hispanic Business Association launch Committee December 19, 2006. Over 80 people and small business owners attended the launch representing various industries from hairdressers to construction workers. The next formal meeting will be January 24th at the Community Service Building in Wilmington 7pm, facilitated by the steering committee.

Social Justice Margaret Reyes had sent out and requested an update on the bylaws document but got no Committee response. Delaware State Police placed an ad for Hispanic officers (applicants) in El Nuevo Dia newspaper in Puerto Rico which yielded hundreds of call and over 100 potentially eligible applicants. Of the 34 Delaware State Police candidates that graduated in Feb 2007, there were ZERO Hispanic or bilingual candidates There was a new appointment, the attorney general 2 new staff members; Patrick Allen in charge of external & legislative affairs for legislatures, police & victims.

Announcements o Craig Aleman – intern for GACHA at the University of Delaware, currently seeking a Masters in Public Administration is going to law school in fall 2007. o Crystal Beach looking forward to working with GACHA. o Ed Luedtke advised all the National Association will take up issue on recruiting more minorities for EMS and DEMSOC formed a committee to review the issue. o Harry – don’t use “minority” when advertising for bilingual/Hispanic; o Keyla informed all that in February Jorge Camacho appeared on her show “Con Sabor”. Announced that legislation was submitted regarding the expansion of SEED from a 2 year program to a bachelor degree. o Doris Gonzalez started Telemon Headstart registration and is looking for children 0-5 years. o Maria Matos – HSRP 2007 and she will be participating in an immigration forum at Widener University, in attendance will be the mayor of Hazelton, PA o George – DSP Colonel McLeish plans to create a citizen’s academy in the Hispanic community starting in Wilmington; the academy would enable the introduction of the law enforcement agency to the community, ride along and a visit to the dispatch center. The goal is for the community to understand police work – the officers to befriend the community so they will report crimes or assist in solving them.

Executive Session Budget review was conducted in executive session with GACHA members only. Questions were posed on expenditures and layout of spreadsheet developed by Executive Director called “Actuals vs. Budget”- summarizing the 3 spreadsheets from fiscal into a one-page summary. Maria Matos suggested we separate “encumbered” funds to portray “actual” in current dollars. Cherisse volunteered to assist on the development of the one page summary. Wanda stated that she would share the 3 spreadsheets provided by Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Community Services fiscal department.