Meeting of the
HIV HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PLANNING COUNCIL
OF NEW YORK
Thursday, April 23, 2026
3:05-5:00pm
By Zoom Videoconference
DRAFT MINUTES
Members Present: D. Klotz (Governmental Co-chair), D. Martin (Community Co-chair), B. Fields (Finance Officer), M. Baney, V. Bell, A. Betancourt, R. Brown, M. Caponi, P. Carr, L. Cyrus, J. Dudley, R. Ford, L. Francis, C. Graham, S. Hemraj, R. Henderson, C. Gomez, E. Kaywin, M. Maia Soares, L. F. Molano, MD, B. Montes, J, Natt, C. Nuñez, J. Palmer, G. Plummer (ex-officio), J. Robles, M. Rodriguez, L. Sabashvili, J. Sanchez, J. Schoepp, M. Sedlacek, PhD, S. Stallings, D. Tider, A. Tomlin, G. Ty, L. Worrell
Members Absent: G. Angelopoulos, R. Babakhanian, M. Bacon, J. Benitez, G. Bruckno, V. Decamps, J. Edwards, M. Gilborn, J. Goldenbridge, K. Laveille, J. Louis, DDS, N. Martin, S. Safo, MD
Staff Present: DOHMH: M. Navejas, D. Saab, L. Moya Adames, A. Omeyoma, G. Gambone, S. Spiegler, J. Acosta, S. Kramer, P. Padgen, H. K. Muk; Public Health Solutions: B. Silver, A. Shahi, G. Barclay; CHAIN: A. Aidala
Agenda Item #1: Welcome/Introductions/Minutes
Mr. Martin and Mr. Klotz opened the meeting followed by introductions and a roll call and a moment of silence. The minutes of the March 26, 2026 meeting were approved with no changes.
Agenda Item #2: Public Comment, Part I
Ms. Montes invited Council members to a poetry reading by Alliance for Positive Change clients.
Mr. Klotz announced that the new Commissioner of Health, Dr. Alister Martin, will attend the July 23rd Council meeting.
Agenda Item #3: Recipient Report
Ms. Plummer reported on National Youth HIV Awareness and Transgender HIV Testing Days. Also,
Registration is now open for the 2026 National Ryan White Conference (hybrid in-person in Washington, DC and virtual). All Council members are encouraged to attend. HRSA has updated the funding methodology used to calculate RWPA formula awards based on a person’s most recent address, rather than residence at the time of HIV diagnosis. This is expected to modestly benefit the NY EMA.
A rebid of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE)-funded Enhanced Data to Care programs was announced. The programs provide targeted services to populations of focus and bridge existing gaps in access to quality HIV care and treatment. Also, Public Health Solutions released the concept paper for the rebid of RWPA programs in the Tri-County region. A timeline for the RFP was described. The Quality Management Program continues to implement events for subrecipients and consumers to engage with one another and connect to learn more about RWPA services. In March, there was a training on evidence-based health education curriculums and quality improvement.
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin testified in front of the City Council on the Mayor’s proposed 2027 health budget. DOHMH also participated at a recent City Council briefing on ending the HIV epidemic. DOHMH provided updates on changes to Medicaid and SNAP benefits to the Consumers Committee earlier this week. Other DOHMH activities include a letter on antibiotic resistant gonorrhea, STI awareness week, a partnership to supply condoms, and a hepatitis surveillance report.
Agenda Item #4: GY 2026 Reprogramming Plan
Mr. Carr and Mr. Klotz introduced the GY 2026 reprogramming plan. This annual plan, identical to previous years, gives the Recipient the authority to move funds between service categories to make one-time enhancements to overperforming programs up to 20% of a service category’s original allocation. ADAP would absorb any remaining funds after all other program enhancements have been exhausted. This allows the Recipient to maximize spending during the grant year and keep underspending as low as possible.
A motion was made to approve the GY 2026 Reprogramming Plan as presented. The motion was adopted 29Y-0N.
Agenda Item #5: Recommendations to Enhance Safety and Continuity of Care for Immigrant Clients
Ms. Adames and Mx. Kaywin presented a set of enhanced recommendations developed by the Needs Assessment Committee to promote safety and continuity of care for RWPA and clients of other HIV services who are immigrants. The recommendations build on those approved in 2024 in response to the changing environment and new federal policies since early 2025. The recommendations focus on addressing barriers to care due to fears of immigration enforcement and minimizing the risk to clients when receiving services. Key recommendations include: 1) strengthening trust, 2) provide alternate outreach channels and modes of contact, 3) establish protocols for staff and agency sites, 4) enhance provider capacity to keep service sites safe, 5) minimize data collection and protect client privacy, 6) reduce transit-related barriers, 7) strengthen legal safety and support clients with education about rights and safety planning. A set of continually updated legal and other resources for immigrants with HIV is attached to the recommendations. The Recommendations will be posted on the Council’s website and conveyed through the Recipient to the RWPA subrecipients.
A motion was made to approve the Needs Assessment Committee’s Recommendations as presented. The motion was adopted 27Y-0N.
The Needs Assessment Committee leadership and members were commended for their excellent work. Ms. Adames was commended particularly for her work supporting the Committee’s work.
Agenda Item #6: NY EMA Quality Management Plan Annual Update
Ms. Gambone presented an update on the EMA’s Quality Management (QM) program and activities. All EMAs are required to develop strategies for ensuring that services are consistent with the guidelines for improvement in the access to, and quality of HIV services. Major activities from 2025 included quarterly QM Committee meetings with providers and consumers; launching 48 new programs in 7 service categories; and the annual QM provider meeting (which included a breakout session on client advisory boards led by the Council’s Consumers Committee).
There was a review of the EMA’s QM Plan priorities and goals (health equity, consumer engagement, collaboration, capacity building, service engagement, and service quality). Equity and consumer engagement accomplishments include: listening sessions with providers and consumers to inform program design; Working with community on the development of materials and curricula; Increased participation of consumers in all types of QM trainings; trainings on racial equity and dismantling stigma; and a community engagement art project.
Other accomplishments include: improved collaboration with the NY State QM program (including Part B); Ongoing support to programs on their QI projects; Multiple evidence-based intervention trainings for behavioral health programs; and a revised incentive policy based on feedback from providers and consumers. These accomplishments were completed despite challenges around the rebid of a large number of service categories, as well as Recipient staff hiring delays and turnover.
Next steps for 2026-27 include: providing intensive support to new programs in 2026 (including 17 in Care Coordination); preparing for the 2027 launch of new programs in 3 service categories in NYC and 8 service categories in Tri-County (including Food & Nutrition); Holding two QI project sharing sessions; delivering seven QI trainings throughout the year, including at least two focused on consumer engagement; supporting programs that are implementing EBIs; and holding the Annual RWHAP Part A Provider Meeting (July 30th).
In response to a question, Ms. Gambone explained that the providers on the Quality Management Committee were based on who volunteered, and there were no agencies from Staten Island that offered to participate. Hopefully that will change next year.
Agenda Item #7: Public Comment, Part II
Mr. Maia commemorated the passing of Iris Long, a chemist who helped train ACT-UP in drug the development process.
Mr. Natt encouraged participation in the May 1 general strike.
Mr. Omeyoma encouraged Council members to join members of the Consumers Committee at the AIDS Walk.
Ms. Aidala noted that a new CHAIN report on digital health utilization shows that many immigrants are not comfortable using online services for fear that their data will be breached.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
