Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY-OF-LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2024 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY-OF-LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The HISPANIC LATINO QUAITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION convened a REGULAR meeting on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. CST, in CITY OF AUSTIN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 – CITY HALL (301 W. 2ND STREET; AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701). Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the HISPANIC LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Leonor Vargas Lysette Galvan Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jesus Perales Kevin Jackson Daniela Silva Dulce Castaneda Commissioners Absent: Sharon Vigil Eliza May Vanessa Maldonado Ivanna Neri (Co-Chair) Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Community Services Program Coordinator – Alejandra Mireles Equity Office, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager – Amanda Jasso 1  CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Liany Serrano Oviedo (The University of Texas student, LatinX Community Affairs) shares about the student organization and the impacts of Senate Bill 17 on the LatinX students at The University of Texas, at Austin. The organization provides LatinX focused leadership development, professional networking, community support (including mental health), and a graduation ceremony for the approximately 13,000 LatinX students who attend The University of Texas. The LatinX Community Affairs organization was a part of the Multicultural Engagement Center, previous Minority Information Center that was active at The University of Texas for 36 years, providing a home away from home from many student organizations and was a huge resource center for the students. Luis Santos (The University of Texas student, LatinX Community Affairs) shares that Senate Bill 17 is preventing university funds from being used to support student organizations and initiatives that directly impact student achievements. For example, no funding is allowed for the LatinX Leadership Summit, Adelante Conference, Institute LLI, and more. Funding has also been removed from supporting the only LatinX graduation ceremony through overcompliance. Luis shares that the impact of the university policies in compliance has effectively taken away all social and professional resources from the LatinX students and requests the Commission to share financial resources so that local initiatives can support The University of Texas LatinX students. Kelly Solis (The University of Texas student, LatinX Community Affairs) shares that The University of Texas at Austin has been designated an HSI, or Hispanic Serving Institution. The university received this status in 2020 because at least 25% of the student population is designated Hispanic, and this allows for the university to receive federal funding. Kelly also shares that The University of Texas also received the Seal of Excelencia which is awarded to HSI schools who are exemplary in their HSI status because the university is one where “Latino students thrive” (one 1 in 9 universities are awarded). Kelly also shares that in 2022, The University of Texas joined the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities where their goal is to double the number of Latino doctorial students by 2030. In 2023, the university recertified under the Seal of Excelencia, and the Hispanic student population has now risen to 28.2%. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION’S REGULAR MEETING on JANUARY 23RD, 2024. The minutes were approved at the FEBRUARY 27th, 2024, meeting on COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES’ motion, COMMISSIONER LEONOR VARGAS’ second on a 7-0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado, Ivanna Neri, Sharon Vigil, and Eliza May). DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Conduct a public input session to collect feedback on the Commission’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Recommendations. 2 Sergio Torres (Office of Sustainability) presents that the city is collecting recommendations and/or feedback on a draft plan for food sustainability plan from March 18th – mid April. COMMISSIONER LEONOR VARGAS asks if it is possible to get a copy of the plan; answer, will send draft to Commission when it is ready. Mary Moran, (OnPoint Reentry), shares that the organization has proven to be successful, with culturally sensitive supports and collaborations with other departments. Mary Moran has been doing this work for 30 years and shares that the community is an untapped labor pool. OnPoint Reentry has served 600 people; provided 127 computers and hotspots; and certified 80 community providers. COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES asks if there is a specific money amount that OnPoint Reentry is requesting; answer, will email staff liaison proposal. Michelle Mejia (Go Austin Vamos Austin, A(TX) EC Coalition) shares information about advocacy group’s members and goals. Requests for the Commission to make budget recommendations for an APH multiyear allocation to early childhood education and development funding; to renew the Family Stabilization Grant with funds to be administered by the Equity Office and a contract with UpTogether; and to update the eligibility focus to include home-based childcare providers. Julia Orria (Julia’s Home Based Childcare Provider and Spanish speaker) shares an experience of an emergency home repair and the lack of financial support from the city. Requests an emergency-gap grant like program that is focused on home based childcare providers. Rebecca Lightsey (Co-Executive Director, American Gateways) shares that American Gateways’ focus is for low income residents needing immigration support; shares background of city support which has taken the shape of one time funding for legal immigration services, and this has helped individuals apply for asylum (60 people so far). American Gateways also provides citizenship clinics, which is funded separately. Rebecca Lightsey thanks and asks for the Commission’s continued financial support. Jodi Schrobilgen (Director, Hope Clinic) shares that Hope Clinic is the one of the only free format clinics that provide high quality medical care (everything the clinic does is free, including a pharmacy). In the past, the clinic has gotten $100k from APH (for case management and wraparound services). Jodi shares an overview of how the money was used and that the clinic provided services in second languages, for a total of 1200 minutes. Jodi shares that the clinic would like to continue to work with COA – but that the money awarded from APH last year could not be used for direct patient care and for staff. Jodi asks for an equivalent amount ($100k) that could be used for direct patient care and for staff, including the support in languages other than English. COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES asks why the APH money could not be used for direct services; answer is that it was to be used for management. Meng Qi (UpTogether) shares how the Family Stabilization Grant is given to families who have an income of less than $20,000 and requests the Commission to continue its support of the program. COMMISSIONER LEONOR VARGAS shares there is a common theme from the evening’s request and that is a critical emergency need. COMMISSIONER VARGAS also shares that any community member can still attend a future meeting to provide more input. 3 3. Discussion on community input and feedback for Commission’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Recommendations. COMMISSIONER AMANDA AFIF reviews meeting’s community input for addressing the Family Stabilization Act; home based childcare centers; immigration services; reentry services; hope clinic medical services; and shows a presentation (see back up) reviewing past Commission recommendations such as parent support specialists for AISD. COMMISSIONER AFIFI asks the Commission for wonderings. COMMISSIONER DANIELA SILVA shares her wonderings about the differences will be between FY25 and FY24 budget recommendations. COMMISSIONER LEONOR VARGAS shares that the overall theme is stabilization and asks if the Commission should umbrella the requests under that theme. COMMISSIONER LYSETTE GALVAN agrees and shares that she would like to know a specific money amount that would support The University of Texas students who presented during public communication. COMMISSIONER SILVA also shares areas that need addressing through budget recommendations such as housing stabilization; amendments that are being project based housing; wrap around services for housing; tenant education; probate support for elders. COMMISSIONER AFIFI shares that a budget recommendation regarding language access may also be considered. COMISSIONERS GALVAN, PERALES, and SILVA share that a budget recommendation for the Family Stabilization Grant should consider continuous funding (rather than on a year by year basis). WORKING GROUPS UPDATES 4. Budget & Policy Priorities Workgroup – updates from the last workgroup meeting on issues related to the FY25 and policy matters pertaining to their assignment (Budget & Policy Priorities Workgroup Members: Commissioners Amanda Afifi, Sharon Vigil, Jesus Perales, Dulce Castañeda, and Leonor Vargas). No updates. 5. Language Access Workgroup – Updates on the newly formed workgroup on issues pertaining to their assignment (Language Access Workgroup Members: Amanda Afifi, Dulce Castaneda, Vanessa Maldonado, Daniela Silva, and Hector Ordaz). No updates. 6. Public Safety & Immigrant Affairs Workgroup – Updates from the workgroup on issues pertaining to their assignment (Public Safety and Immigrant Affairs Workgroup Members: Dulce Castaneda, Leonor Vargas, and Sharon Vigil). No updates. 7. Arts and Culture Workgroup – Updates from the workgroup on issues impacting Spanish speaking artists and performers. (Arts and Culture Workgroup Members: Ivanna Neri, Leonor Vargas, Ana Laura de Santiago, Norma del Torro, Priscilla Cortez, and Luis Ordaz). No updates. 8. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) – General update and discussion on the coalition building work of the Committee. (JIC Primary and Alternate Representatives: Amanda Afifi and Ivanna Neri). No updates. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 4 April: APD, Lila, Texas civil liberties SB4 staff briefing from APD ADJOURNMENT: 7:51 p.m. -- The minutes were approved at the MARCH 26, 2024 meeting on COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES’ motion, COMMISSIONER LYSETTEE GALVAN’s second on a 7- 0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado and Eliza May). 5