Social Services Advisory Council Agenda and Minutes - 10/19/23

Agenda

October 19, 2023; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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* If you would like to submit a public comment, please email your comment to Clare.Fisher@illinois.gov by 8:00 AM on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Minutes

1. Welcome
   1. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Angie Hampton and motion was given by Mary Camper and Second by Irene Gasner.
   2. Angie Hampton welcomed all attendees and led introductions.
   3. Angie also addressed a need for a quorum in order to take action and will hold the minutes vote until a quorum is available.
   4. Ryan Thomas shared a message in the Secretary's absence introducing themselves to the SSAC.
2. Housekeeping
   1. Clare reminded members whose term renewals are due to complete them by November 30th and offered opportunity for questions
   2. Clare confirmed that there are currently vacancies and that they are open to potential members.
   3. Angie Hamiliton welcomed Quiwana Bell and thanked her for her leadership on council
   4. Quiwana shared more about her new role and excitement to work as part of the DHS team
3. Roll call and approval of minutes
4. Council Vote: SSAC Chair
   1. Angie opened the floor for nominations
   2. Nominations for Christa Hamilton (nominated self), Mary Camper (nominated self), and Angie Hampton (seconded by AJ French)
   3. Clare offered candidates opportunities for "speeches"
      1. 7 votes for Christa, 2 for Mary, 3 for Angie
   4. The council congratulated Christa as the new Chair.
5. Presentation on IDHS Asylum Seekers Work
   1. Emerson Wells, Senior Policy Advisor joined, shared a presentation on DHS's Asylum Seekers
   2. Emerson opened the floor to Q&A:
      1. Christina Hamilton: Aside from Chicago, how are other municipalities in the state engaging to take some pressure off of the city?
         1. Fund and distribute funding through grants to support new arrivals in any municipality
         2. Also provide technical assistance is they are looking for funding.
      2. Barbara: Agreed with not redirecting new arrivals and instead including them in their relocation process.
      3. Loren Simmons: Is there an opportunity to create a webinar for organizations that would like to help? How do we connected people to the resources that they need?
         1. The Welcome to Illinois Coalition, led by the Latino Policy Forum
      4. Dulce Ortiz has a specific comment and request for IDHA regarding grantees, sick time, and the associated costs. Question was seconded by Itedal. Emerson suggested connection directly to IDHA and offered to make any helpful connections.
      5. Ireta: asked for Emerson to share the slides and expressed concern with proof of parentage or birth certificate is still required for early childhood programs - systems barriers that are preventing people from doing work and being provided childcare regardless of immigration status. This is a DCFS issue but want to raise it in case there is collaboration/crossover.
         1. Emerson shared the Chisty of Chicago is actively working toward a safe solution
      6. Bela: There are a lot of services that we can provide for children, but we don't know where to start or who to contact people who are managing the process.
         1. Shelter system is managed by DFSS and moves are done by the Emergency management team. Emerson suggested connected with DFSS as a start
6. Committee Updates
   1. Response, Recovery, & Innovation: Proposed Community Feedback/Networking Event
      1. Committee Chair: Mary Camper
      2. Updates from last meeting:
         1. Revisited the charter and wanted to prevent a decline withing the committee
         2. Interested in creating a community collaboration event with providers to identify challenges and outcomes and provide a networking space.
   2. Health & Wellness: Presentation on IL Dignity in Pay Act
      1. Andy Losasso, Chief of Staff at Vision Rehabilitation services shared a Pay Equity for People with Disabilities presentation on behalf of in for Director Rahnee Patrick who is ill.
      2. AJ French: Asked for federal resources on expanding employment opportunities for best practices for eliminating inequitable pay rates for people with disabilities.
         1. Andy mentioned that this is currently in progress in partnership with the department of education.
7. Adjourned meeting without a motion.