Meeting of the Needs Assessment Committee
Co-Chairs: Emma Kaywin, Rasheed Ford
March 12, 2026 2:00 – 4:04 PM
By Zoom Video Conference:
(https://health-nyc.zoomgov.com/j/16087736946?omn=1609488893)
Members Present: Rasheed Ford (Co-Chair), Billy Fields, Arthur Fitting, Fay Barrett, Freddy Molano, Jennifer Irwin, John Schoepp, Marcy Sedlacek, Raffi Babakhanian
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: David Klotz (Governmental Co-chair), Michael Navejas, Doienne Saab, Abraham Omeyoma, Joahnna Acosta, Cristina Rodriguez-Hart, CHAIN:Maiko Yomogida
Other Planning Council Member Present: Cesar Nuñez, Asia Lee, Rob Walker, Charmaine Graham (Consumer-at-Large), Marcelo Maia
Guests: Lisa Best
Agenda Item #1: Welcome/Roll Call/Moment of Silence/Announcements
Rasheed Ford opened the meeting with an icebreaker where participants would respond to the question: “Where are you finding joy these days?” Participants shared their responses in the chat, citing family, pets, cooking, learning, art, nature, and hobbies as their sources of joy.
During announcements Raffi B. proposed sharing a proposal at the end of the meeting. Marcy S. announced a HRSA-funded demonstration project focusing on newly diagnosed individuals living with HIV with an approach on social determinants of health and mental health needs. Contact information was shared in the chat: msedlace@montefiore.org, 718-405-8530 ext. 2250
Agenda Item #2: Meeting Minutes
February meeting minutes were displayed and reviewed. No revisions were suggested, and the minutes were approved as presented.
Agenda Item #3: Topic Presentation – Updated Recommendations for Improving Access to HIV Services for Immigrants and New Arrivals
Presenter: Doienne Saab, NY HIV Planning Council, Senior Planner
Doienne S. provided an in-depth review of the recommendations document on improving access to HIV services for immigrants in the NY EMA, allowing time for feedback throughout the session, as well as at the end. The following are some high-level notes from the presentation material, divided by recommendation focus:
- Community-Driven Engagement:
- Engage immigrant community members as trusted messengers (e.g., community health workers, peer navigators).
- Disseminate accurate information from vetted resources in relevant languages.
- Data Protection and Privacy:
- Minimize unnecessary data collection, especially immigration-related information.
- Clearly communicate privacy policies to clients, especially regarding when and why immigration-related data would be collected, and how it would be utilized.
- Enhancing Physical and Operational Safety:
- Establish safety procedures for staff and clients in care settings.
- Use signage to distinguish private areas from public spaces.
- Reducing Transit-Related Safety Barriers:
- Offer telehealth and home-based services.
- Provide transportation options, including private rides and public transit passes.
- Implement mobile vans for neighborhood-based services.
- Strengthening Legal Safety and Care Continuity:
- Connect clients to trusted legal service providers.
- With client’s consent, provide health documentation to client’s legal team to support remote court appearances and humanitarian release requests.
- Balancing Safety with Continuity of Operations:
- Regularly review and adjust safety strategies based on changing community needs.
Participants agreed that while the systemic causes of the immigration issue go beyond what can be addressed within the scope of work of the Needs Assessment Committee, these recommendations are a good starting point on encouraging these needed conversations, and to support providers looking for ways to enhance their immigrant client’s safer access to services.
The recommendations were approved with 10 “Yes” votes, and 1 “Present” vote.
Lisa B. emphasized the importance of addressing safety concerns for both immigrant and PWH communities, noting the potential for broader targeting by enforcement agencies in the future.
Public Comment
Raffi B. briefly presented a proposal to form a working group to address viral load disparities among immigrant populations.
Adjournment
Rasheed F. made a call to conclude the meeting.
