A PUBLICATION OF THE DCFS Latino Advisory Council

JB Pritzker, Governor November, 2020 Marc D. Smith, Acting Director

Celebrating the 31st Annual LAC Institute Day at NEIU

October 2019, Latino Advisory Council members and participants (left to right) back row: Yeni Rojas,Miriam Mojica, Daniel Fitzgerald, Juanita Calderón, Sidney Juarez, Sylvia Fonseca, Taylor Pierson, Azalea Mejia, José J. López, Evelyn Martinez, front row: Dr. Mercedes Martinez, Julia Monzón, Rosamaria Molina LaSalle, Nancy Rodríguez and Alex Medina

WELCOME TO NOTICIAS. My name is Nancy Rodriguez, Chair-person for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Latino Advisory Council. The year 2020 has been very challenging for children and their families, especially due to the COVID pandemic, issues of disproportionality, poverty, lack of resources, and lack of opportunities and access to healthcare for people of color. These challenges have led to increased rates in mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and health issues, placing our children and other vulnerable populations at higher risk of harm. More than ever, social services are needed to help children and their families thrive. Through social services and adequate resources and opportunities for all, children and their families will be able to move forward with improved positive outcomes. Our current situation connects people virtually for our own safety and health. In the future, we will be able to unite in person to network, share information, empower, and learn. Best Regards, Nancy Rodríguez, Latino Advisory Council Chair

• 1 • Sergio Valente: Worker of the year 2019

By Evelyn Martinez and very careful about what he collects The LAC DCFS Worker of the Year so that it is all part of his evaluation of Award for 2019 went to Sergio Valiente, a family. He uses this information to MSW. He is a bilingual child protection improve his understanding of where advanced specialist in DuPage they come from and why they may County for DCFS. He has worked for believe what they do so he can counsel the Department 15 years. He is an and advise the family on improving exemplary person who values striving Sergio Valente with his son Nicholas and upon their strengths. He is very for excellence. He is deeply committed wife Lisa. cognizant of managing his caseload and to doing a very good job and ensuring always tries to complete cases as quickly more mentally harmful to children that children are safe everywhere he visits. as he can. In team meetings, he is helpful have special needs. It is not unusual for He interviews children in a way to make and shares resources or suggestions parents to cry while acknowledging them comfortable so they can share for helping others improve their work their mistakes to him during their sometimes very traumatic events they or just helping them out. Sergio is a interviews. Sergio really cares and goes have never shared with anyone else. valuable asset to not only his team but beyond the basics of what is expected of An example of this was when this past to the whole office. He is often asked to any investigator on a case of child abuse year he was interviewing a child about supervise as a temporary assignment or neglect. He has compiled his own list something unrelated to sexual abuse when supervisors are called away for of resources and shares them with all the and just because he explored the issue mandatory meetings or trainings away families he meets so that they are aware of safety and feeling safe and unsafe, from the office. He does so willingly and and can access help in the absence of or unsafe, the child was able to reveal professionally. I have never heard him DCFS in their lives. sexual abuse by someone close to her complain. He is a very good leader. family. This child had never revealed Sergio goes out of his way to assure Sergio is held in very high regard by his this to anyone prior to speaking with families are reunited when a safety plan colleagues, not just in our office but by Sergio. The case was later investigated by has terminated. He has been known to many others who know him outside of the police and the family was able to put take extra measures and work outside of this office as he used to work in Joliet. in protective measures to assure their regular working hours to assure children He is an outstanding Latino professional children’s safety. could be reunited with their parents who truly cares about the children and more quickly when a safety plan was Sergio often explains in supervision families we serve. I am proud to have terminated. how he counsels parents about the him on our DuPage County team and effects of using corporal punishment, When it comes to his documentation, no confidently depend upon him when how it can be counterproductive and one compares. He is detailed, organized duty calls.

LAC MEMBERSHIP DCFS Members: Director's Liason: Coty Corcoles Daniel Fitzgerald Officers: José R. García Chief of Affirmative Action Chairperson Sydnie Juárez Committees: Nancy Rodríguez Azalea Mejía Child Safety & Permanency [email protected] Beatríz Ramírez Community Risk Reduction & Staffing Past Chairperson: Liliana Romero Data Validity & Disproportionality Juanita Calderón Strategic Communications POS Members: [email protected] POS Committee Patricia Aguilar Chair-Elect Latino Family Institute Jennifer Contreras Professional Development Day Julia Monzón Daizy Salgado [email protected] Cynthia Valentín Contact Julia Monzón at Co-Scribes [email protected] Ex-officio Member: Vanessa Castro if interested in becoming a member. José Javier López Evelyn Martínez Office of Latino Services

• 2 • COVID-19: Know the Difference

IS IT A COLD OR FLU OR COVID-19?

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS COLD FLU COVID-19

Symtom Onset Gradual 2 Days 2-14 Days

Body Aches Slight Common Common

Cough Common Common Common

Diarrhea Rare Sometimes Sometimes

Fatigue/Weakness Sometimes Common Common

Fever/Chills/Shaking Rare Common Common

Loss of Taste or Smell Never Never Sometimes

Shortness of Breath or Rare Common Common Difficulty Breathing

Stuffy Nose Common Common Rare

Sneezing Common Sometimes Rare

Sore Throat Common Common Common

Headache Rare Common Common

QUESTIONS? Call 1.800.889.3931 • Email [email protected] • Website www.dph.illinois.gov

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

• 3 • March on Washington: A youth’s point of view

By Makaila Mitchell-Evans I am a young girl who is growing up in a people from all races and nationalities I am a 14-year-old girl who was given world filled with so much hate for each that came together to stand against the opportunity to accompany my other. I do understand that we as a people racism, injustice and inequality. We grandmother, Trella Wade-Mitchell to need to stop the racism. It is on us, the walked two miles and chanted the whole Washington DC with the agency she people, to give justice and equality to all. time until we reached the park. The park works for, National Youth Advocate This was a very heartfelt and educational was filled and several speakers spoke. Program. While enduring and living in moment in my life. As I said before, I am I cried when I heard of so much death this pandemic that this country is faced very dispirited by this. and how the people died. We ended the with is hard enough, to deal with racism I did not know what to expect. This march at Martin Luther King Memorial. and inequality is very sad. march was a historical moment in my life that I will never forget. I was able to see

Trella and Makaila Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, D.C.

2019 LAC Institute Day Gallery

DCFS Acting Director Marc D. Smith Keynote Speaker Dr. Xavier Perez, Criminology Head, DePaul University

• 4 • People You Should Know MILAGROS (MILLIE) RODRIGUEZ

By Azalea Mejia Interviewing unit of child protection. I have worked Are there any key moments in your Millie Rodriguez in follow up services, licensing career? was a bittersweet administrative services, contracts and Yes, in the beginning of my career, the moment for me grants and finally the business unit, my ambiance in the working field felt more because she will role at DCFS has been to be of support united, family oriented, it almost felt like be retiring this to others and to child welfare workers in a second family. year after 39 every way possible through the work I years of service. do. I was born and raised in in the Pilsen What are your plans when you retire? When I first area of Chicago and earned my GED and I will be spending time with my family, started with a secretarial certificate from the Spanish cooking and baking which are things the contracts Coalition for Jobs. that I enjoy but also my family enjoys my department she was one of the few people cooking. who voluntarily took me under her wing. What are the challenges that you face? She showed me step by step when it came The challenges that I have face along Do you have any words of wisdom down to systems and coding. I value her with other support staff is that although that you would like to share with new as a strong, dedicated Latina with strong support is the backbone of most units employees coming into the department? work ethics and appreciate her guidance or teams, we are not always supported, Don’t assume you know the answer, we and support. I wish her much success in nor our opinion is not taken into are always learning. her future endeavors. consideration when changes are made. Sometimes it feels like we support staff Tell us about yourself, how many long are looked down upon because we are have you been part of DCFS? just “clericals.’ I have been working for DCFS since October 1981, I was initially hired as a clerk III and started in an administrative

2019 LAC Institute Day Gallery (cont)

Dr. Xavier Perez with Celmira Bolanos-Ayala 2018 DCFS Worker of the Year (left to right) Jennifer Contreras, Awards Chair; Alejandra Gallejos, POS Foster Parent of the Year and grandson Vincent Figueroa POS Youth of the Year

• 5 • Celebrating Our Afro-Caribbean Roots

By Julia Monzón subsequent expeditions. They As many of you know, the made numerous voyages Caribbean is a melting pot of exploring the and diverse ancestry from all over the West Indies with other , , and the famous explorers such as Netherlands. This is a result Pedro Fernandez Coronel of old trade routes including and the Pinzón brothers. It is slave trade routes to the new believed that Juan Niño was world. My own family consists the owner and master of the of dark complexions, the fair Niña. Pedro served on Santa and everything in between. Maria and Francisco who was Hair ranging from black, to the the youngest at the time was believed to have served as a lightest blond, straight, curly The Niño Brothers Monument in , Spain and coarse. I have cousins with cabin boy on the Niña but on freckles! Maybe this is someone Niño brothers? The Niño family a subsequent voyage was the you haven’t heard of before. were Africans who lived in Spain. pilot of the ship. Francisco settled Pedro, Alonso, Francisco and Juan. in the and was mayor of Reaching back to around 1492 The brothers became a famous his town when he died. The brothers you most likely know the story of seafaring family and traveled with passed down their seafaring legacy to , but how Christopher Columbus on his maiden their sons who continued the family many people have heard of the voyage to the new world and on tradition.

2019 LAC Institute Day Gallery (cont)

Alex Medina, winner of the Celeste Peña Award accompanied by Liliana Megan Brand POS Worker of the Year, Arden Shore (center) with Monica Raygoza, community activist (left) and Dr. Beatriz Medina Badiano and Mark Dybas

Carlos Wong, DCFS Support Staff of the Year with Jennifer Contreras, Najma M. Adam, Ph D, LCSW Clinical Services teaches "Cutting Through Awards Chair Taboos: What you need to know about sexually problematically behavior to help your clients"

• 6 • People You Should Know YVONNE FIGUEROA

By Azalea Mejia My mother only had a second-grade Any helpful advice for staff? I am honored education but that didn’t stop her Documentation is everything and to have from being a community activist and should be done all the time, remember interviewed helping others in need. During the if it’s not documented it didn’t happen. Yvonne blizzard of 1967, I was awakened by Every conversation when it comes Figueroa for the the voices of strangers in my home to the work with family’s needs to be Latino Advisory and to the aroma of coffee and hot documented because at the end of the Council chocolate. My mother had brought day when there is case is taken to court Noticias in all those stranded outside into our someone will be held accountable for newsletter home. They were drinking coffee and what was done or not done. before she hot chocolate and she had set out a retires. She plate of crackers and cheese for them Do you have any words of wisdom was one of the few individuals that to eat. She had a heart of gold; I am that you would like to share with new voluntarily took me under her wing. blessed to have inherited a little bit employees coming into the department? As I interviewed Yvonne I felt the of her and I enjoy being part of the One of the things that I would passion and commitment that she has solution and not the problem. recommend for new workers is to be for the work that she does for families! culturally sensitive and understand I am truly blessed by knowing such a that not everyone comes from the strong, powerful, and influential Latina same background. Therefore, we and wish her much success in her must become aware of the family’s future endeavors. culture and we cannot impose on them what we think is right. We have a Hello Yvonne, tell us about yourself? responsibility to show compassion and Hello, my name is Yvonne Figueroa understanding and to look at every 1967 Chicago Blizzard, source: Chicago Tribune and I have been with the dept 35 years family with a fresh set of eyes, not a of those 35 years 22.5 was with DCP pre-conceived idea based on what the with the same team. I have a Bachelor Are there any key moments in your report says. of Science degree with a specialty in career? What are your best memories? psychology from DePaul University, Do you have a favorite Quote? and I was born and raised in Chicago I had many key moments in my Yes, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all although both of my parents are DCFS journey in child protection things through Christ who gives me from Puerto Rico. The last 12 ½ years and licensing and it’s hard to pick strength.” This is one of my favorite I have been a Day Care Licensing one. I need to summarize without bible quotes because in my 35 years of Representative. giving much details of key moments service I have overcome the challenges but take this with you, there might be faced in the child welfare field through How long have you been in Child injustices that happen when it comes Him. Welfare and why did you decide to have to the processes of the work we do but a career in child welfare? remember God’s Justice comes in due Please visit the LAC page on the DCFS I’ve been in child welfare for 35 years, I time. You must stand your ground and website to read the full interview. initially started with DHS as an intake remember who you are. https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/ worker in October 26, 1981. I’ve always policy/Pages/Noticias.aspx wanted to help my family and other, my mother has inspired me in this.

• 7 • Service Milestones NOTICIAS is brought to you by the Latino Advisory Council and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. It is distributed to DCFS employees, 5 YEARS OF SERVICE 20 YEARS OF SERVICE POS agencies and agencies affiliated • Lidia Davila, Harvey • Jessica Furio, Glen Ellyn with DCFS. The newsletter includes • Susana Olivas, Galesburg • Cecilio Pérez, Springfield articles pertinent to child welfare, • Dulce Patron, Glen Ellyn • Cesario López, Chicago Latino welfare issues and DCFS/ • Lorena Sánchez-Serrato, Harvey • Gloria Navarro, Aurora POS programs, and strives to be • Rosalva Acevedo, Chicago • Larissa Rico, Aurora an informative source for staff by providing updates on new • Yadira Mazon, Chicago • Desiree Silva, Bloomington child welfare initiatives as well as • Laura Hernández, Rockford • Andrew Martínez, Chicago upcoming events. • Roberto Hernández, Glen Ellyn 25 YEARS OF SERVICE It is our hope to continue providing staff with a vehicle for the sharing 10 YEARS OF SERVICE • Julia Ramírez, Springfield of information. A major part of this • Karina Arteaga, Aurora • Celia Valle, Aurora endeavor is you! We are asking for • Marielisa Jackson, Aurora • Jeanette Camarillo, Deerfield your input, submission of articles and • Monica Sosa, Chicago • Ana González, Chicago suggestions for improving Noticias. Articles related to your experiences 15 YEARS OF SERVICE 35 YEARS OF SERVICE with families and personal stories are • José López, Chicago • Ana Campos, Chicago also greatly appreciated. • Beatriz Ramírez, Chicago Please submit articles, information • Claudia Ramos, Aurora RETIRING AFTER about incoming events or news to: 39 YEARS OF SERVICE Julia Camacho Monzón, Strategic • Milagros Rodríguez, Chicago Communications Committee Chair [email protected] MSW DEGREE 1911 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago, IL 60616 • Lisa Bonilla, April 2020 Or to any of the Strategic Communication Committee members: Julia Camacho Monzón, Editor, Chair; José J. López, Final Editor; Vanessa Castro, Former Scribe and Contributing Writer; Azalea Mejia, Scribe; Jennifer Contreras, Contributing Writer; Nancy Rodríguez, LAC Chair-Elect; Evelyn Martínez, Contributing Writer If you would like more information or Parade of Flags, 2019 would like to participate in one of the LAC subcommittees, please contact Nancy Rodriguez, LAC Chair at [email protected] or any LAC member.

Special thanks to: Daniel Fitzgerald, Chief of Affirmative 312.814.6800 Action; José J. López, DCFS Office of www2.illinois.gov/DCFS Latino Services; Bert Tijerina, graphic designer, Office of Communications Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois DCFS #000 • Oct 2020 • 000 copies • rev 11/2/2020

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