Meeting Minutes
Committee Members in Attendance: Quiwana Bell, Chair, Westside Health Authority; Ireta Gasner, Start Early; Christa Hamilton, UCAN; Angie Hampton, Vice Chair, Egyptian Health Department; Niya Kelly, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless; Dr. Dan Lustig, Haymarket Center; Jodi Martin, Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County/Prairie Central; Bela Moté, Carole Robertson Center for Learning; Sergio Obregón, Chicago Public Schools; Debbie Pavick, Thresholds; Frances Reyes, The Center for Prevention of Abuse
Committee Members not in Attendance: N/A
IDHS Staff in Attendance: Katlyn Smith
The meeting was called to order by Katlyn Smith at 2:01 PM
Welcome & Introductions
A brief welcoming exercise was performed where each Committee member shared their name, title, workplace, and one thing they are looking forward to in 2022.
Discussion: Committees in 2022
Katlyn Smith opened discussion surrounding the Committees of the SSAC. The following is a brief summary:
- Condense the number of committees; ensure they are not watered down in the process.
- Need for each Committee to focus the broad objectives stated in the Committee Charges, into "problem statements," based on the lived experience of the Committee members
- Capacity issue - administrative support, meetings being missed, etc.
- A Committee Retreat - focused on creating goals, objectives, charges.
There was also discussion regarding the purpose of the Committees and what the Department plans to do with the information presented.
- The Committees exist to advise the Department of things they think will be helpful to the residents of the State, using the guidelines presented in the Committee Charges.
- Members pointed out that it would be helpful to review IDHS' Strategic Plan, Budget, and Legislative Priorities to help guide their work.
- Members discussed the importance of a feedback loop and considered what that may look like in the future.
Jodi Martin motioned to condense to three Committees from six; there was significant discussion on the motion. Members settled on the following for the new layout suggestion:
- Racial Equity and Racial Justice
- Health and Behavioral Health & Crisis Planning
- Outreach and Community Engagement & Service Coordination, Quality Improvement, and Innovation
The existing Legislative/Budget Committee would no longer exist and would become part of the charge for each of the above-mentioned committees. The Committee decided to hold on voting in favor of further discussion at a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee.
Adjournment
Motion by Dr. Dan Lustig, seconded by Frances Reyes to adjourn. The Council unanimously voted to adjourn at 3:04 PM.
