HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-24 NHCHLC Minutes
NEW HANOVER COUNTY HISPANIC/LATINO COMMISSION MINUTES
Location: Government Center, Room 136
February 25, 2025 – 5:00pm
Members present: Dr. Andres Afanador, Dr. Amanda Boomershine, Natalie Picazo, Janeth Howard, Maria
Carmen Rodriguez Morales, Helen Tarokic, Lambeth Chalk, and Gustavo Rodea
Members absent: Joseph Casares, Dr. Edelmira Segovia, and Gabriel Guerra
Staff: Monica Rohena
I) Call to Order and Agenda Meeting called to order at 5:05.
II) Approve Agenda Helen- motioned, Maria- seconded
III) Motion to approve November minutes Janet-motion, Maria -seconded. Motion to approve
January minutes- Helen- motion, Maria- seconded
IV) Chair Comments- Vice Chair Amanda Boomershine commented that there is a lot going on in the
Hispanic Latino communities nationwide and thanked all present for their work as these changes take
effect. She also thanked those that participated and helped with Passport Day.
V) Committee Updates
Information and Civic Engagement Subcommittee
o Efforts are ongoing to identify and provide accessible community resources.
o The "Dial 8" option for Spanish-speaking families at school front offices has been
tested, but Helen’s team has not received returned calls.
o The contact details for the five NHC school liaisons are not available online. To
ensure Spanish-speaking families can access support, these details should be updated
on the NHC School website. It was suggested to send a letter to the commission to
address this issue.
o Additionally, Helen will be stepping down as chair of this subcommittee, with her
final meeting likely taking place in April.
Advocacy for Public Education Subcommittee
o ESL Exit Criteria: The new lower exit criterion of 4.5 for ESL programs has not gone
into effect yet. Currently, students must achieve a score of 4.8.
o Student Documentation Concerns: Parents have inquired whether proof of their
child's legal status is required for school enrollment. Families were informed of the
required documents. Additionally, Interim Superintendent issued a public statement
reassuring the community that all children are safe in schools. Additionally,
o Language Proficiency Credit: Efforts continue to see if native Spanish speakers can
take the AAPPL Test for high school language credit.
o Anti-Bullying Workshop: CF Latinos is organizing a high school bullying workshop.
o Head Start Representation: The committee hopes to have a Head Start representative
present at the next subcommittee meeting.
o Educational Power of Attorney: Questions were raised regarding the idea of the
power of attorney for school matters in cases where families are separated. The
educational power of attorneys could be most beneficial.
Language Access Subcommittee
o Did not meet this month
Health and Wellness Subcommittee
o They are following up with the organizations they have investigated to meet with
them more formally. They are focusing on health clinics and dental.
VI) Old Business
a. H/L Resolution Handoff - This was being handled by civic engagement subcommittee but is
being handed off to the whole commission to finish. Joe will take the lead on this.
b. Community Survey Results- Do not have the results yet.
VII) New Business
a. Commission Appointments 2025- Janet, Gabe, and Maria’s terms end. Maria and Janet
would like to continue and need to inform Monica that they would like to serve another term.
Gabe informed Monica that he would not continue. Helen must formally inform the
commission that she is stepping down. This means there are 2 seats open.
b. Community Communication Mechanisms
It was suggested that Su Condado could do a dental clinic interview and interview
each subcommittee to make a compilation for an episode about the Hispanic Latino
Commission
Website and newsletter- we can use the department of Diversity and Equity’s
Facebook for messaging the community. Joe can send updates to Monica, and she can
get them to the tech person. The communications team must approve all the
newsletters and announcements.
Name tags have been ordered. Monica will also get the tablecloth ordered in navy
with a transparent logo.
VIII) Other Business
The school district will require a judicial warrant- school and district leadership must approve
warrant before law enforcement can enter the school.
IX) Upcoming Events
FaithAction ID Feb 28-March 1.
Drop-in passport office hours at UNCW Mon-Fri 7:45am-11am. Volunteers are needed to interpret.
Local immigration attorneys are hosting a Know Your Rights session on Saturday, March 1.
X) Public Comments
Unitarian Universalist’s social justice committee present to learn more.
El Cuerpo thanked us for our work, especially with the fear in the community right now.
XI) Adjourn Maria- motion. Helen- seconded.
NEXT MEETING – March 25, 2024 – 5:00pm, Government Center Room 137