Meeting of the Needs Assessment Committee
Co-Chairs: Emma Kaywin, Rasheed Ford
January 8, 2026 2:00 – 3:47 PM
By Zoom Video Conference:
(https://health-nyc.zoomgov.com/j/16087736946?omn=1602353782)
Members Present: Emma Kaywin (Co-Chair), Rasheed Ford (Co-Chair), Billy Fields, John Schoepp, Marcy Sedlacek, Jorge Benitez, Jennifer Irwin, Fay Barrett, Susan Mellender, Raffi Babakhanian, Reginald Thomas Brown, Shavonn Stallings, Vanessa Decamps
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: David Klotz (Governmental Co-chair), Michael Navejas, Doienne Saab, Laura Moya Adames, Abraham Omeyoma, Sara Kramer, Joahnna Acosta, Ting Fang, Cristina Rodriguez-Hart;CHAIN:Maiko Yomogida
Other Planning Council Members Present: David Martin (Community Co-Chair), Charmaine Graham (Consumer-at-Large)
Guests: Abigail Anzalone – Co-Director & DOJ Accredited Representative, Sex Worker Project, Urban Justice Center; Molly Cohen, Esq. Co-Director, Senior Supervising Attorney, Urban Justice Center
Agenda Item #1: Welcome / Roll Call / Moment of Silence / Icebreaker / Announcements
The meeting was opened, with Co-chair Emma K. welcoming attendees. Laura M. A. conducted the roll call, acknowledging the presence of members, staff, and guests. David M. conducted the moment of silence, reflecting on those affected by HIV, those who have passed, and the collective efforts to improve services for individuals living with HIV. He encouraged members to reflect on their goals for the new year.
The icebreaker activity consisted of members using an interactive board to create a word map capturing their hopes for 2026. Words shared included hope, resilience, humanity, compassion, joy, and empowerment. The map will be shared with members post-meeting for inspiration throughout the year.
During announcements David K. acknowledged the passing of long-time HIV activist Mark Milano. Additionally, attendees were invited by John S. to attend the Consumers Committee meeting on January 20, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Agenda Item #2: Meeting Minutes
The December meeting minutes were acknowledged and approved with no changes. Laura M. noted that links to resources shared during meetings are now embedded in the minutes for easy access.
Agenda Item #3: Guest Presentation – Legal Perspective on Immigration Enforcement Activity in NYC
Presenters: Abigail Anzalone, Co-Director & DOJ Accredited Representative, Sex Worker Project, Urban Justice Center; Molly Cohen, Esq., Co-Director, Sex Worker Project, Urban Justice Center
Abigail A. and Molly C. conducted a presentation on legal considerations for improving access to services for immigrants living with HIV, particularly addressing challenges faced by LGBTQ PWH in navigating the U.S. immigration system. The Urban Justice Center provides holistic immigration legal services to individuals with lived experience in sex work, including LGBTQ and PWH. Approximately 70% of their clients are PWH.
Presenters offered a legal framework for asylum in the United States, explaining that asylum eligibility requires a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. LGBTQ individuals and PWH are recognized as members of a “particular social group” under U.S. asylum law.
Recent challenges for asylum seekers under the current immigration policies include:
- Elimination of ICE enforcement priorities, leading to random and widespread detentions.
- Pretermission of asylum cases: Judges can dismiss cases before a full hearing if applications lack detailed information.
- Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACA): Asylum seekers may be sent to third countries deemed “safe,” such as El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, or Uganda, despite potential risks.
Practical Recommendations for Healthcare Providers to reduce detention risks, ensure access to care, and strengthen their client’s legal cases:
- Foster a trusting relationship with clients by asking open-ended questions and ensuring confidentiality when they seek care or disclose their status
- Refer clients to -and collaborate with- trusted legal services providers
- Assist clients in practical and emotional safety planning by collaborating with organizations like the New Sanctuary Coalition. Safety planning training sessions can be requested by contacting the NSC at info@newsanctuarynsc.org
- Provide clients with printed, personalized and detailed medical documentation of their HIV status and related health vulnerabilities to support their legal cases or detention challenges
- If client is seeking asylum and has faced persecution, document any health-related consequences (e.g., injuries, mental health impacts). Include evidence of stigma, violence, or lack of HIV care in the client’s home country
- Inform clients about their rights and the importance of carrying documentation proving their status or pending applications
- Encourage clients facing the possibility of detention to: carry medical records and list of medications, write down key phone numbers and their A-Number on their person, make contingency plans for dependents or pets, and consider a privacy waiver to allow ICE to communicate with a designated support person
- Support motions to avoid in-person court appearances. Immigration lawyers can file motions to allow clients to appear via video conferencing (WebEx) instead of attending court in person. This reduces the risk of ICE detention at court premises. Providers can support these motions based on the client’s health vulnerabilities, such as HIV-related conditions.
- If your client is detained by ICE, bond hearings are an opportunity to argue for release from detention on humanitarian grounds. Evidence that can help includes letters highlighting health vulnerabilities (such as the risks of inadequate HIV care in detention) and character references attesting to the client’s good character and community ties.
The presentation was followed by members engaging in a discussion about the material presented.
Raffi B. emphasized the need for concrete solutions to address barriers to care for immigrants living with HIV. Emma K. and Laura M. acknowledged the pressing nature of the issue, while stressing the importance of exploring perspectives from diverse subject matter experts before issuing recommendations to ensure that these are safe to implement by providers and/or clients. A preliminary draft of recommendations will be presented at the February meeting for review and feedback.
Susan M. highlighted the importance of connecting undocumented clients with immigration attorneys to access HASA and other services.
The presenters shared their direct contact for further questions or comments:
- Abigail Anzalone: aanzalone@urbanjustice.org
- Molly Cohen: mcohen@urbanjustice.org
Agenda Item #4: Public Comment
Michael N. provided updates on the Consumers Committee’s surveys for consumers and providers to gather data on barriers to care for immigrants living with HIV. The consumer survey is available in English and Spanish, and focuses on fear of ICE, cultural competency, and telehealth/home visits. The provider survey addresses missed appointments by clients, organizations’ ICE protocols, and cultural competency. Results from these surveys are expected by April 2026.
John S. Invited members to attend the Consumers Committee meeting on January 20, 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm to engage with consumers and share insights.
Adjournment
Laura Moya Adames concluded the meeting, thanking guests, members, co-chairs, and presenters for their participation and engagement. Members were encouraged to take time for self-care and reminded of the next NAC meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 12th, 2026.
