Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council

Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (April 2020)
Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (May 2019)
Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (May 2018)
Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (August 2017)
Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (February 2016)
Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (February 2015)
Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF) (February 2014)

The Legislature created the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council during the 2013 legislative session.

Appointments to the council must include representation from racial and ethnic minorities, tribal service providers, advocacy groups, human services program participants, and members of the faith community, as well as the majority chairs and minority lead of the human services legislative committees. The council sunsets June 30, 2020. Laws of Minnesota 2018, Chapter 256, Section 256.041

Bylaws of the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (PDF)

Representatives of diverse cultural and ethnic communities:

• Danisa Farley, food support specialist, Neighborhood House
• Raie Gessesse, student, Hamline University
• Maret Banks, support advocate, StandPoint
• Vacant
• Vacant

Representatives of culturally and linguistically specific advocacy groups:

• Alana Wright, consultant, Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
• Sarah Clyne, executive director, Northside Funders Group

Representatives of culturally specific human services providers:

• Sheree Steele, CEO, Hope Care PCA, Inc.
• Lucas Peterson, government programs community liaison, Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota

Representatives of the America Indian community:

• Elizabeth Taylor-Schiro, health educator/home visitor, Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center
• Mariah Norwood, research coordinator and HER support specialist, Lower Sioux Indian Community (LSIC)

Representatives of counties serving large cultural and ethnic communities:

• Adesola Oni, juvenile detention alternative coordinator, Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections
• Maria Sarabia, human resources director, Ramsey County

One member who is a human services program participant member representing communities of color:

• TaShonda Williamson, case manager, The LinkMN

One parent of human services program participant representing communities of color:

• Jenny Srey, co-director of Release MN8

The chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate with jurisdiction over human services:

• Rep. Tina Liebling, HHA Finance chair
• Rep. Joe Schomaker, HHS Finance minority lead
• Rep. Rena Moran, HHS Policy chair
• Rep. Debra Kiel, HHS Policy minority lead
• Sen. Michelle Benson, Senate HHS Finance and Policy chair
• Sen. John Marty, Senate HHS Finance and Policy minority lead
• Sen. Jim Abeler, Senate HS Reform Finance and Policy chair
• Sen. Jeff Hayden, Senate HS Reform Finance and Policy lead

Two members representing faith-based organizations ministering to ethnic communities:

• Jean Lee, president and executive director, Children's Hope International
• Dr. Russell Pointer, senior pastor, Minneapolis Central Church of Christ

One member who is a representative of a private industry with an interest in inequity issues:

• Petronellah Thomas Shanobi, CEO, KESMA Flame Lily LLC.

One member representing the University of Minnesota program with expertise on health equity research:

• Serena Xiong, Ph.D. candidate, University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Four representatives of the state ethnic councils:

• Sia Her, executive director, Council on Pacific Islanders Minnesotans
• Rosa Tock, executive director, Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs
• Shannon Geshick, executive director, Indian Affairs Council
• Justin Terrell, executive director, Council on Minnesotans of African Heritage

One representative of the Ombudspersons for Families:

• Bauz Nengchu, Muriel Gubasta, Jill Kehaulani Esch and Ann Hill (rotating)

Three DHS employees:

• Kia Moua, income maintenance program advisor
• Marcia Soto Bierschenk, business continuity and risk assessment planner
• Vacant

DHS staff to the CECLC:

• Helly Lee, director of community relations
• Nicole Juan, community relations specialist

• The council supported the creation of the DHS Policy on Equity, approved by the Commissioner in January 2017. This policy institutionalizes an approach to decision-making, program and policy development, implementation, and evaluation that improves outcomes and reduces health and human services disparities for the people DHS serves. Among many things, the DHS policy has led to the creation of Equity Coordinator/Director positions within each administration.
• The council creates structures within the agency for accountability as well as heightens awareness of disparities and inequities in policies, operations, strategic planning, and budgetary priorities.
• Members provide equity advice to DHS on a number of legislative ideas as well as proposals for the Blue Ribbon Commission.

• Assist in the development and implementation of equitable policies and practices throughout DHS, and recommend the review of DHS policies that perpetuate inequities.
• Identify issues regarding inequities and disparities by engaging diverse populations in human services programs.
• Actively participate in monthly meetings with no more than three absences per calendar year, with reasonable circumstances, or relinquish their seat on the council.
• Actively participate in at least one workgroup outside of the monthly CECLC meetings.

The Minnesota Legislature established the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC) in 2013 in order to “advise the commissioner of human services on reducing disparities that affect racial and ethnic groups.” The CECLC’s mission is working together to advance health and human services equity through the development of community-supported policy recommendations for cultural and ethnic communities and all those who call Minnesota home.

In fall 2019, the council identified four focus areas related to DHS programming and services. The council aims to address disparate outcomes in:

1. Child Welfare and Social Services
2. Juvenile Justice and Corrections
3. Immigration and Refugee Services
4. Housing Services and Homelessness

The council also identified interest in being a thought and strategy partner for community engagement, voting & census work, addressing structural racism, and advancing the DHS Equity Policy.

The CECLC consists of members appointed by the commissioner of human services, in consultation with county, tribal, cultural, and ethnic communities; diverse program participants; and parent representatives from these communities. Appointments must include representation from racial and ethnic minorities, tribal service providers, advocacy groups, human services program participants, and members of the faith community, as well as the majority chairs and minority lead of the human services legislative committees. 

Members must be appointed to allow for representation for the following groups:

• racial and ethnic minority groups
• the American Indian community, which must be represented by two members
• culturally and linguistically specific advocacy groups and service providers
• human services program participants
• public and private institutions
• parents of human services program participants
• members of the faith community
• Department of Human Services employees
• other groups the Commissioner of Human Services deems appropriate to facilitate the goals and duties of the council

The application is a 3-part process. All parts MUST be completed to be considered.

1. Interested applicants first complete an electronic application through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s (MNSOS) Boards and Commissions Open Positions portal.
2. Upon receipt of the Secretary of State’s application, DHS will email a supplemental application form (Word file) to the email address listed on the MNSOS application. This supplemental DHS application must also be completed to be considered.
3. Once the application deadline has passed, a review panel comprised of current CECLC members and DHS staff will review and rank applications
4. DHS staff or council members will contact selected applicants to schedule an informal phone conversation. This is not a traditional interview, but rather an opportunity for applicants, DHS staff, and council members to connect with one another. Prospective applicants will also be invited to ask questions during this time.
5. DHS staff or council members will reach out to the references of selected applicants.
6. The review panel will then recommend candidates to the Commissioner of Human Services. The Commissioner will make final decisions and appointments to the CECLC.
7. All applicants will be contacted to inform them of the decision regarding their application.

Members may serve up to two consecutive, 2-year terms.

CECLC meetings take place the third Friday of every month, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. For 2021, the meetings are held via WebEx.

Workgroups meet at least once per month. These meetings are scheduled based on members’ availability. They often occur either during the evening or lunch hours, after the monthly CECLC meeting, or a time convenient for the workgroup. While it varies depending on what the Council decides to work on, please expect to spend 6-12 hours on CECLC work per month.

There is currently no compensation or travel reimbursement for CECLC members; however, there is pending legislation in 2021 to allow for funding. More information will be known in the coming months.

Contact us at ceclc.information.dhs@state.mn.us or 651-431-2943.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Community Relations
PO Box 64998
St. Paul, MN 55164-0998

To obtain this information in a different format, call (651) 431-2400 or contact Richard Nymoen, DHS ADA Coordinator with questions on accessibility, richard.nymoen@state.mn.us, 651-431-3039.