Esperanza Latino Community Services Network

Esperanza Latino Community Services Network Wednesday, April 6, 2011 – 1:00 PM Rock Island Field Office

Lupe Cruz, DHS Ricardo Morales, Cuatio Chris Cervantes, RICHD April Peska, ECC/AOK Lisa Viaene, Child & Family Connection Marsha K. Jones, DCFS LANs Michael Terry, Child Abuse Council Maria Maldonado, Safer Foundation Leticia Martinez, IMC Connie Barrett, CASA GTO Hector Vazquez, DCFS Rebecca Ott, DCFS Keith Stille, DCFS Jenny Garner, U of I Ext. Margie Alaniz, Illinois Migrant Council Elizabeth Torres, RICHD Carmen Castro, GQCHCC Watyne Evans, DCFS Gregory Hixon, DCFS David Umphrey, Epilepsy Foundation Pam Adams, DCFS Court Liaison Xochi’ Pannell, Hispanic Adv Proj Missy Speth, DCFS Supervisor Adela Martinez, theplace2b Jane Norman, DCFS Manager Keith Stille, DCFS Licensing

I. Welcome – Hector Vazquez/Connie Barrett: Good afternoon and welcome to all II. Introductions & Acknowledgements - All: III. Review February Minutes – Minutes were accepted as presented. IV. Agency/Organization news, events, updates: a. Leticia Martinez – IMC: Leticia extended an invite to IMC Annual Health Fair scheduled for June 12th starting at 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM @ St. Mary’s. Organizations are welcome to set up tables/booths providing an activity for kids. b. Carmen Castro – Hispanic Chamber: Training will be provided on Microsoft Outlook teaching individuals how to use Outlook effectively. Carmen announced the Caba Shiners’ will hosts a screening clinic on Saturday, May 28th @ Masonic Center for children up to 18 years of age needing reconstructive care, i.e., orthogonal, burns, clef lip pallet issues, etc. This is a preliminary “save-the-date.” Clinic will be held at 511 Veteran Memorial Parkway, Davenport, Iowa. Flyer will be sent to Hector for distribution at a later date. c. AOK Network – April Preska: April shared a new concept to assess how the public/clients feel about services they receive in the community from agencies. Feel this would give a “truer” evaluation of the services agencies provide. d. Early Intervention & Regional Office of Education - Xochi’ Pannell: Xochi reminded our Network of the screening from birth to 3 but even up to 5 @ Trinity Lutheran located at 1330 – 13th Street, this Friday, April 8th. Developmental & speech therapists will be available as well as vision and hearing checks will be provided at no charge. This event is concentrating on the Hispanic community, however, hosting the event for the community at large. V. Safer Foundation – Maria Maldonado: Safer Foundation started in Chicago in 1972 and QC since 1976. Maria has worked 11 years. The goal is to help individuals with criminal backgrounds find jobs. Basically, steer clients in the right direction, help attain housing, provide transportation to/from interviews, provide bus tickets and provide job coaching. Clients must be an Illinois resident however, IDES works with Iowa residents. Clients should be drug free, hold a social security card and be willing to work. Safer is a referral base for employment. Community employers hire with the understanding prospective employees have criminal pasts. The types of employment varies, i.e., landscaping, machine operators, warehouse production, etc. Clients 17 must secure parent signature but the GED program also helps place/refer youth for employment aged 16 to 21. VI. CASA GTO – Connie Barrett: Connie expressed regards for Mike Woods’ absence stating CASA is moving to 525 - 16th street, Moline (old court building/traffic court). This location has a lot more space. The move should be completed by the end of April. Office includes a ground floor office and all of the second floor level. Connie also announced the Bike Safety Fiesta scheduled for April 16th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm @ the DCFS field office, 500 – 42nd Street, Rock Island, Illinois. There will be bike safety tips, bike & helmet inspections, an obstacle course challenge, bike tune ups & free helmets/cascos gratis until the supply lasts. It was suggested to contact local police departments for donated bikes. David Umphrey donated two bicycles for the event. Connie invited all agencies to set up a booth or volunteer for the safety piece of the event. VII. Workgroup Reports a. Bilingual Staff – Chair: Hector reported this committee continues to work on the process of how to administer the test. After ironing out a testing mechanism, an in-house test will be given 1st and then the committee will work toward certification. b. Foster Care Recruitment – Greg Hixon: Greg reiterated all materials translated into Spanish. Asking all to take the materials and distribute in offices and with community partners. Watyne Evans remains the contact (309/794-3500) and will provide additional materials when requested. Esperanza’s next recruitment event is participating @ Black Hawk Spring Fling on 4/26 & 27 setting up two tables. All agencies are invited to bring literature for distribution. c. Resource Fairs/Seminars – Greg Hixon: This committee is looking to expand the foster care piece of it. Need to have homes for kids of color. Looking at RIFO to help build a rapport with the African American community to establish credibility as well as perspective homes. Seeking to engage local churches through membership contact. VIII. Other business – a. Article update – Greg: Greg announced he & Hector wrote an article of the achievements of Esperanza thus far. b. Aid & Rescue – Greg: Greg encouraged Esperanza members to continue sharing requests for assistance through utilization of the Esperanza distribution list. Continue to provide information and not individual names so others can respond and help support these families. IX. Next steps X. Next Meeting: May 4th – 1:00 PM @ Rock Island Field Office

Humbly submitted by

Marsha K. Jones – 4/8/11

Task Assignment: (postponed to next month meeting) 1. Mike Woods and Amy Rowell will research Interpreter certification training. 2. All members will discuss Mass Mutual challenge in various agencies for discussion at next meeting.