Present: Michelle Christensen, Zandra Garcia, Kathy Hicks, and Kris Povlsen of DCP/SAFE, Amy Crook – DeKalb School Dist., Jessica Cordero & Lindsey Hochgesang of DeKalb Health Dept., Steve Rodriguez – DeKalb PD, Chad McGehee – Sycamore CUSD, Toni Leal – 4C, John Horn - Extension, Beth Busching - KCH, Mary Hernandez, and Ulysses Diaz of DeKalb Community Services.

Introductions made and January Agenda/ December minutes were approved.

Old Business:

Website: The website was unveiled at the Annual Assembly in November. Within the next few weeks it will be up and running for use.

WIA Grant – Colleen: Not present to report.

Stop, Drop, and Shop – Zandra: There were approximately seven kids in attendance. The Alpha Sigma Omegas were there to help. They played games and did activities with the kids. Due to the low attendance, they may not have it next year.

Hispanic 4-H Club update – John: Johanna Jennings with DeKalb County is going through her contacts for training. Once things are established, they would like to start holding monthly meetings at the Conexion Comunidad.

Free Screenings at Hospital – Beth: In April, a “Know Your Numbers” session will be done at the Conexion Comunidad for the Hispanic community. Testing will includes things such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. They will mail the results to the participants to take to their doctor or clinic. They are also doing this on Feb 20 and Feb 27 at the Kishwaukee Hospital and at the Health Department on March 16.

Conexion Comunidad Annual Board Mtg – Zandra: February 1, 2010 is the annual board meeting at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Let Zandra know if you would like to come or to become a member.

New Business:

As part of DCP/SAFE, Zandra currently put together a bi-lingual placemat with prevention information for use at the local restaurant, El Dorado. Zandra also contacted La Salsa. She is awaiting a response for their possible involvement. The restaurant has provided Zandra with good feedback on the placemats. She would like to do new messages for placemats on a monthly basis. They are laminated so they can be used again. Zandra proposed to the group for their participation by placing their messages onto the upcoming placemats and share in the printing cost.

Reports

Cooperative Extension: John spoke with GeorgeGutierrez, who currently deals with family issues to join him again. Currently, he is working with the counselors at the high school.

Health Subcommittee Report: They will meet to see if this is to continue.

Health Care:

Kishwaukee Hospital: Working on “Know Your Numbers” through Kishwaukee Hospital for

the community.

DeKalb Health Dept: The Future is Ours will begin the second half on Wed of this week.

Their Career Event is on March 13, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Once again, if anyone knows of

successful Latina women in the community who could share their story with the girls, please

contact Lindsey Hochgesang. Originally, this group started at HMS, but then moved to CRMS

due to need. Due to a rise in the Latino school community, it will again be at HMS starting in

February. Their goal is to get through all 10 sessions by the end of year. They will have both

sixth and seventh grade combined due to time constants.

City, County, or Community: Mary shared with the group through a flier both in English and Spanish anti-poverty and low-income programs they now offer. Ulysses Diaz was introduced. He works with persons in need of help with utility payments but they must be a referral in order to receive assistance.

Kris shared that the Third Ward Alderman has resigned. This ward makes up the Conexion Comunidad area. The city is looking for a new candidate to take this position. The position will last until next voting period, which is approximately a year and a half. Those interested should contact Kris Povlsen.

DCP/SAFE: Kris is retiring at the end of January. Kathy Hicks is the replacement for Kris’s position. They are in the process of hiring someone to replace Kathy and join the prevention team. Kris would like to continue as a member of the Latino Action Group.

Higher Education: Classes start on Monday. Carla brought fliers with the new class schedules one of which has the requirements for getting a GED. They offer a GED Express class, which is a very condensed program for those in need of getting their GED in a very short time period.

Public Schools:

Sycamore: No report.

DeKalb: No report.

Law Enforcement: There was a second armed robbery at the Road Ranger on South Fourth Street. The same person committed both crimes.

Housing: No one present to report.

Domestic Violence: No one present to report.

Child Care: Parenting classes will soon be starting. Dates are not set as of yet. They will be available on their website four-c.com.

Workforce: No one present to report.

Conexion Comunidad: They will be offering Karate classes in the near future.

Next meeting, February 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Conexion Comunidad

Snack Provided

Michelle Christensen

Recorder

Attachments:

LGA Minutes 1.10