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Minnesota Agencies

Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library


Ombudsperson Board for Spanish Speaking Families

Also known as:
Ombudsperson Board for Spanish-Speaking and Hispanic/Latino Families
Spanish Speaking Advisory Board
Active dates:1994 -
Function:

The board appoints the Latino community's Ombudsperson for Families. It then advises and assists the ombudsperson for its community in selecting matters for attention; developing policies, plans, and programs to carry out the ombudspersons' functions and powers; establishing protocols for working with the communities of color; developing procedures for the ombudspersons' use of the subpoena power to compel testimony and evidence from nonagency individuals; and making reports and recommendations for changes designed to improve standards of competence, efficiency, justice, and protection of rights.

History:

In 1991, this group began as an Ombudsman's Advisory Committee. It consisted of 17 members appointed by the four minority councils. In 1994, four separate five-member boards were created, each responsible for appointing an ombudsperson on behalf of their respective minority council. These councils are currently known as the Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.

The board meets regularly at the request of the appointing chair or the ombudsperson. In addition, all members of the four community-specific boards (Ombudsperson Board for African American Families, Ombudsperson Board for Asian-Pacific Families, Ombudsperson Board for Chicano/Latino People, and Ombudsperson Board for Indian Families) shall meet jointly at least four times each year to advise the ombudspersons on overall policies, plans, protocols, and programs for the office.

Membership:

5 members, appointed by the chair of the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People. In making appointments, the chair must consult with other members of the council. The membership terms, compensation, and removal of members of each board and the filling of membership vacancies are governed by Minnesota Statutes 15.0575. The board meets regularly at the request of the appointing chair or the ombudsperson. In addition, all members of the four community-specific boards (Ombudsperson Board for African American Families, Ombudsperson Board for Asian-Pacific Families, Ombudsperson Board for Chicano/Latino People, and Ombudsperson Board for Indian Families) shall meet jointly at least four times each year to advise the ombudspersons on overall policies, plans, protocols, and programs for the office.

Entries for this agency in the Annual Compilation and Statistical Report of Multi-Member Agencies Report: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.

Note: This report provides membership details as well as meeting information and a summary of the group's activities.

Record last updated: 05/06/2020
 

All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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