Meeting of the Needs Assessment Committee
Co-Chairs: Emma Kaywin, Rasheed Ford
November 13, 2025 2:00 – 3:43 PM
By Zoom Video Conference:
(https://health-nyc.zoomgov.com/j/16087736946?omn=1619377716)
Members Present: Emma Kaywin (Co-Chair), Rasheed Ford (Co-Chair), Billy Fields, Freddy Molano, John Schoepp, Marcy Sedlacek, Jorge Benitez, Jennifer Irwin, Fay Barrett, Terry Troia, Susan Mellender, Reginald Thomas Brown, Vanessa Decamps
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: David Klotz (Governmental Co-chair), Laura Moya Adames, Abraham Omeyoma, Maiko Yomogida, Adriana Eppinger-Meiering, Cristina Rodriguez-Hart, Karen Ortiz;CHAIN:Maiko Yomogida
Other Planning Council Member Present: David Martin (Community Co-chair)
Guests: Emily Goldberg-Hall, Ed.D, – Director of Health Initiatives, African Services Committee
Agenda Item #1: Welcome/Roll Call/Moment of Silence/Announcements
The meeting was opened by Rasheed F. A moment of silence was held.
Members acknowledged the diversity within the Needs Assessment Committee during a group activity consisting of marking a world map with a pin indicating their country of origin.
During announcements, Billy F. reminded members of the importance of self-care in challenging times. The adage, “You can’t pour from an empty pitcher.” was emphasized.
Agenda Item #2: Meeting Minutes
October meeting minutes were acknowledged and approved with no changes.
Agenda Item #3: Exploring a New NAC Meeting Schedule
A poll was conducted to determine if members were open to changing the meeting time. 8 members voted “Yes,” 1 member voted “No.” A second poll explored potential new time slots for the second Thursday of each month. Options and results were:
- 10:00 to 11:30 AM – 63%
- 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM – 50%
Members expressed concerns about potential conflicts with other meetings and the impact on committee participation. It was decided to table the discussion and revisit the topic in future meetings, ensuring all committee members could vote.
Agenda Item #4: Topic Presentations
Revisiting the Needs Assessment Committee’s Recommendations for Supporting the EMA’s Asylum Seeker and Newly Arrived Immigrant Communities– Laura Moya Adames
Laura M. A. presented a review of the Needs Assessment Committee’s work on supporting NYC asylum seekers and immigrant communities. The presentation covered the background on the displacement crisis and the influx of asylum seekers, as well as the previous recommendations for RWPA service providers revolving around six major themes:
- Language Barriers: Enhancing translation and interpretation services.
- Service Demand and Navigation Challenges: Expanding case management and referral networks.
- Mental Health Concerns (Client Side): Training staff in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention.
- Mental Health Concerns (Staff Side): Promoting self-care and resilience among staff.
- LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers: Providing tailored, affirming services.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Staying updated on evolving policies and service landscapes.
Members discussed the relevance of these recommendations considering current challenges, including ICE activity and policy changes. Suggestions included incorporating peers as representatives in stakeholder engagement efforts and addressing staff-client ratios to prevent burnout.
Immigrant Community Safety – Emily Goldberg-Hall Ed.D, Director of Health Initiatives, African Services Committee
Emily Goldberg-Hall, Director of Health Initiatives at African Services Committee, provided insights into the challenges faced by immigrant communities and the organization’s adaptations to support them. Key points included:
- Adjustments to physical space and data collection to ensure client safety and privacy.
- Resource-based solutions, such as rideshare and grocery gift cards, to reduce barriers to accessing services.
- Mental health initiatives, including telehealth services and follow-up check-ins.
Members engaged in a Q&A session, discussing the impact of ICE activity on service utilization and strategies to address these challenges.
Agenda Item #5: Public Comment
Jorge B. shared information on the upcoming ‘S.O.S.: Saving Our Sex” event dedicated to exploring issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community.
Adjournment
Laura M. A. concluded the meeting, thanking members for their participation and engagement. Members were invited to the next NAC meeting on Thursday, December 11th, 2025.
