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HAAB Minutes 01/24/2008 January 24,2008 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Naples, Florida, January 24, 2008 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building "F", 3rd Floor, Collier County Government Center, Naples, Florida with the following members present: Chairman: Vice Chairman: James Van Fleet (Excused) David Correa Raymond Cabral Renato F. Fernandez Manuel Gonzalez Valaree D. Maxwell Cosme Perez Ernesto Velasquez Luis Alejandro Bernal ALSO PRESENT: Mike Sheffield, County Manager's Office 1 Collier County Government Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting Agenda January 24, 2008 6:00 P.M. I. Introduction A. Call to Order/Welcome-David Correa, Vice-Chairman B. Approval of Meeting Agenda C. Approval of the November 29, 2007 HAAB Meeting minutes II. Old Business Guest Speakers: Ms. Scholastica Chol, Principal, Manatee Middle School Capt Tom Davis. Collier County Sheriffs Department Harriett Coleman, District Administrator, Dept of Children and Families David CorneUsse, Supervisor, Child Protection- Dept of Children & Families Paula DIGrigoU, Health and Weltness Educator Collier County Health Dept. Victor Valdes, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) III. New Business IV. Comments/Announcements V. Public Comment VI. Adiourn- (Next meeting date: February 28, 2008) January 24, 2008 I. Introduction A. Call to OrderfWelcome - David Correa, Vice-Chairman The meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM by Vice-Chairman David Correa. B. Approval of Meeting Agenda Cosme Perez moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Valaree Maxwell Motion carried unanimously 8-0. C. Approval of the November 29, 2007 HAAB Meeting minutes David Correa moved to approve the Minutes of November 29,2007 as submitted. Second by Valaree MaxelL The motion was tabled. Corrections to the Minutes were requested. Change: Pg. 4 line 3 should read Luis Bernal announced he has extended an invitation to "Colombian Foreign Affairs" Pg. 4 line 5 should read "Colombian" Government Pg 4 paragraph 4 should read Dr. Thompson / Superintendent of "Collier County Public School System initiated change" to the double credit system. Renato Fermindez moved to approve the Minutes of November 29, 2007 as amended. Second by Manuel Gonzalez. Motion carried unanimously 6-0. Ernesto Veldsquez arrived at 6:05 p.m. II. Old Business Guest Speakers Scohloastica Choi, Principal, Manatee Middle School- (Not present) Capt. Tom Davis, Minor Affairs Supervisor, Collier County Sheriff's Department stated the major issue for the Sheriffs office is Illegal Immigrants. He stated the ICE Program was designed to deal with Immigration issues & educate the public. He noted the following: . 27 trained Employees . Public meetings are being held to educate the public . The ICE Program targets offenders of serious crimes & can be deported . Language barrier . Unemployment - Individuals are leaving Collier County as a result of the deteriorating economy. The effect is loss of funding for the School System. . Employers are required to verify Social Security numbers as a result . "Select" Illegal Immigrants that work are not receiving pay . Human Smuggling & Trafficking . Jay-walking 2 January 24,2008 Manuel Gonzalez inquired if Capt. Tom Davis worked with the School Board, DCF & LULAC to get the message to the Spanish Media Capt. Tom Davis responded affirmatively that the Agency has communications with "all" Spanish Radio and TV stations. Stated they are working with DCF and will utilize the new formed alliance with LULAC. Discussions ensued concerning Capt. Tom Davis as the sole person in his department with the goal being to obtain liaisons for every district. Harriet Coleman, Circuit Administrator, Department. of Children & Families spoke on the following 3 areas: . ACCESS Pro~ram "Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency Program" ~ In December served 12,000 from the Hispanic Community ~ Medicaid 11 ,000 ~ Food Stamps 6,000 ~ Temporary assistance for needy families 188 ~ Many Hispanics have limited transportation and "some" with language barriers She also noted: ~ An individual can apply for Economic Assistance for Transportation issues via computer. ~ Community Partners have been implemented for assistance ~ Need for partnerships in additional neighborhoods for Collier County. ~ Other locations are needed along with Naples and Immoka1ee ~ Department provides training, signs and brochures. . The Child Welfare Svstem ~ Noted approximately 20% of the children under State care are of Hispanic decent. ~ 90 children in Collier County ~ Collier County Hispanic Foster Homes 10-15 ~ Foster homes are needed with Spanish speaking and Hispanic background individuals. . Refu~e Pro~ram ~ Department handles assistance for people designated by the US Citizenship & Immigration Services as Refuges. ~ Department provides Adult education, GED, employment, legal services and childcare. She requested assistance from the Advisory Board for the ACCESS Program & Child Welfare System as the Refuge Program was not in need. Questions were asked if the Catholic Charities & the Department share Funds and if the Department was in partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program. It was noted the Department does work with the Catholic Charities however no sharing of Funds and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a separate organization. 3 January 24,2008 It was also noted the Department does not report Illegal's to Law Enforcement. David Cornelisse, Supervisor, Child Protection - Department of Child & Families - Immoka1ee Supervisor of Child Abuse Investigations. Reported the following concerns: . Not enough Housing a. County removed old trailers b. Overcrowding in single family homes . Daycare a. Keeping older children home to watch the infant b. Locking children in a trailer during school closings . Foster Homes - Spanish speaking . Unaccompanied minors a. Sent from Guatemala or Mexico to work b. When incarcerated: need a responsible adult to release the minor to. Noted: Friends are Illegal and refrain from giving assistance out of fear. . Human Trafficking - DCF has specialized homes and beds for children in Miami The Committee can obtain Spanish-speaking volunteers for the Foster parent program through publicity. Discussion ensued on foster children receiving papers, becoming residents and the process a child goes through after the age of 18. The "Road to Independence" was discussed in reference to the above. The recommendation was made for David Comelisse and Harriet Coleman or a representative to attend the Immokalee and Naples meetings that are held by Cap!. Tom Davis. Paula DiGrigoli, Health & Wellness Educator, Collier County Health Department - Announced she is certified as a DUI evaluator and instructor. Distributed & reviewed Hispanic Data in Collier County. (See attached) );> 52% are bilingual - Spanish and English );> Residents 25% Hispanic );> Public Schools - Hispanic 41.6% - White 42.9 Driving accidents );> Highest rate offatalities (age group 20 - 24) - Hispanic A study concluded that the undocumented Hispanics are driving illegally. They cannot apply for a license therefore they are not required to learn the traffic laws. It was recommended to conduct a Media Campaign. Discussion was held on which Agency funded the study, how the area was selected for the Study, and the conclusion of alcohol use after work. Discussion ensued concerning the need for more information on Health care. 4 January 24,2008 A pamphlet was supplied on the services provided by the Health Department. Luis Bernal inquired on statistics of the burden on the Health Care System by Illegal's. Paula DiGrigoli responded she was unsure due to HIPP A Laws as there are questions that are prohibited. She will inquire if Health cost is documented. Victor Vales was introduced as one ofthefoundingfathers of the HAAB Victor Valdes, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) - President of Council #7115 Naples - announced a meeting with Sheriff Hunter where he received an apology for prior behavior. During the meeting a Joint Cooperative Agreement was signed between LULAC & Collier County Sheriffs Office. (See attached) The agreement contains the following: ~ Cooperation with Sheriffs office ~ Supervise compliance of the Vienna Convention Accord ~ Review of reported Police violence He announced an effort is being made to present a Bill that would issue Driver's License to everyone in the State of Florida. He stated this would ensure that all drivers would be insured and documented. A discussion ensued and was questioned if the Cooperative Agreement would remain valid if a new Sheriff was appointed. Victor Valdes responded with or without an Agreement, the people of Collier County must be treated with respect and without police violence. Discussions continued and was noted that Graduates that are not documented are unable to receive Financial Aid or attend College. Victor Valdes stated there is a Commission for Immigrants, Housing, and School. He requested the information be forwarded to him in order to work as a joint effort with the Committee. Manuel Gonzalez stated that the REAL ID Act was passed by US Congress in 2005 requiring all States that individuals present proof of US Citizenship to the DMV which will be verified. He stated the Government is pressuring all States to participate. Cosme Perez moved to recommend the Commission allow the HAAB to present new and current information to the Community (via Press Release.) Without a second the motion was not considered. The recommendation was made to conduct a second meeting with Guest Speakers to draw objectives for the FY09 and to submit a document to the Board of County Commissioners containing input from the Hispanic Community. The inquiry was made if the Chairman or a Representative is permitted to submit information to the Media. Mike Sheffield stated there is strict policy on Press Releases and noted the Committee was formed to advise the Board of County Commissioners on issues 5 January 24,2008 of Community problems or concerns. The recommendation was made to select two Projects or Topics to Study for 2008. Discussions continued. Cosme Perez moved a spokesperson naming the Board (of County Commissioners), a person from the Board (of County Commissioners) or the Commission assign to have the information released mentioning the HAAB. Without a second the motion was not considered Discussions continued and noted Minutes are of public record and the Board of County Commissioners can review. Renata F erndndez left at 8: 14 p. m Ernesto Velasquez made the recommendation to select a Project to Study in order to submit a researched and informed recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners and the Media. Valaree Maxwell stated she would inquire with Commissioner Coletta referencing the ongoing discussion and also announced a meeting is scheduled next week for the County Code Enforcement Task Force. Luis Bernal noted the request was made for the attendance of three translators. III. New Business - None IV. Comments / Announcements - None V. Public Comments - None Being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Vice-Chair at 8:26 P.M. COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE David Correa, Vice-Chairman These Minutes approved by the Board/Committee on as presented or as amended 6