Dulce Quintero, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Visits Trinity Services
On Friday, November 17, 2023, Trinity Services received a visit from the newly appointed Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Dulce Quintero. Governor JB Pritzker appointed Quintero to the position in September 2023. Before that, Quintero served as IDHS Assistant Secretary of Operations beginning in 2019, where they led the department’s COVID-19 response with a focus on equity, and oversaw areas such as human capital, information technology, budget, and finance.
Quintero is a an award-winning and prominent community builder and innovator, having long served Illinoisans in both the health care and human services sectors, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA services and advocacy.
“It is so important for our Department to visit nonprofit organizations in person,” said Quintero. “I was very impressed with Trinity Services.”
Before joining IDHS, Quintero served as Director of Operations for the Erie Humboldt Park Health Center, a community health center providing affordable and comprehensive medical services on Chicago’s Northwest side. There, they led day-to-day operations and implemented programs including a comprehensive HIV Care program, dental services, and a family practice medical residency. Under Quintero’s leadership, the health care center grew to serve over 9,400 patients annually.
Quintero holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California-Davis, and they have completed a non-profit leadership academy with The Center for Leadership. Quintero credits the integration of their identities as a Mexican immigrant, LGBTQIA activist, former street vendor, member of the community of people with disabilities, and non-profit leader as meaningfully informing their career at IDHS.
Thane A. Dykstra, Ph.D., President and CEO of Trinity Services, gave Secretary Quintero and the IDHS staff a tour of Trinity’s facilities including residential homes and apartments and CDS programs.
“We definitely appreciate Secretary Quintero the IDHS staff making time to see our facilities,” said Dykstra. “It was a very enjoyable visit.”