Meeting of the Priority Setting & Resource Allocation Committee
Monday, June 12, 2023
By Zoom Videoconference
3:00 – 3:50
Members Present: Marya Gilborn (Co-chair), Jeff Natt (Co-chair), Fulvia Alvelo, Matt Baney, Kyron Banks, Joan Edwards, Billy Fields, Steve Hemraj, Matthew Lesieur, Scott Spiegler (for Guadalupe Dominguez Plummer), John Schoepp, Claire Simon, Dorella Walters
Members Absent: Graham Harriman, Terry Troia
Staff Present: David Klotz, Johanna Acosta, PhD, Roland Torres, Patrick Chan (NYC DOHMH); Rosemarie Santos (Public Health Solutions)
Agenda Item #1: Welcome/Introductions/Minutes
Ms. Gilborn opened the meeting, followed by a roll call and a moment of silence. The minutes of the May 8, 2023 meeting were approved with no changes.
Agenda Item #2: GY 2022 into 2023 Carryover Plan
Mr. Spiegler explained that the Recipient has completed the final expenditure report and closeout process for grant year 2022 and there is a much smaller amount of underspending ($1.85M) compared to the previous year ($7.68M). HRSA allows carryover to be used for program services and are one-time enhancements that must be used by the end of the year (Feb. 29, 2024) and are generally approved by HRSA in late autumn. The Recipient, based on an analysis of programs, is recommending that carryover be used for the following program enhancements: 1) Food and Nutrition Services for food vouchers and pantry bags ($796,500 in NYC, $103,500 in TC); 2) Value-based payments (VBP) for Care Coordination/Medical Case Management ($398,225 in NYC, $26,775 in TC); 3) Legal Services for increasing client enrollment to expand legal services ($498,720 in NYC, $26,280 in TC); 4) ADAP – to absorb any additional underspending identified in close-out or if the above programs are not able to spend their enhancements.
A summary of the discussion follows:
- VBP were part of the last two carryover plans and are not part of the original allocation. VBP sets benchmarks for viral load suppression and pays for additional activities when programs meet those benchmarks (e.g., case conferencing, accompaniment).
- Housing has received carryover funds in the past, but this year programs are ending and new programs will not be in place to receive funds. Also, Housing has not fully spent their original allocation. Emergency Financial Services also has plenty of funds from their original allocation.
- As the total carryover amount is much smaller than the previous two years, there are no items in the proposal that might hold up HRSA approval (e.g., CLAS standards training).
- RW Legal Services can only be used to help a client obtain PRUCOL status, which allows an undocumented person to obtain certain benefits, not for direct legal aid for immigration issues.
- There is a systematic issue around wait times for medical appointments, but that is not related to RWPA or the carryover plan.
A motion was made, seconded and approved 11Y-0N to accept the GY 2022 into GY 2023 carryover plan as presented.
Agenda Item #3: GY 2024-25 Tri-County Application Spending Request
Mr. Klotz explained that the Tri-County Steering Committee approves a spending request for the GY 2024-25 grant application. HRSA allows the EMA to request up to 5% above the current year’s Base award (an increase of $222,490). The Tri-County Steering Committee is requesting an across-the-board weighted increases based on service category ranking scores.
A motion was made, seconded and approved 11Y-0N to accept the Tri-County GY 2024 application spending request as presented.
Agenda Item #4: Public Comment
Mr. Fields reported that there is a dearth of services to ensure that there are services for people who use wheelchairs so that if the equipment breaks down they can get where they need and not be stranded. Ms. Gilborn and Mr. Lesieur added that advocacy is needed, and that the Policy Committee is addressing this issue. Members were encouraged to participate in that committee.
Mr. Lesieur reported that the State Senate has passed a bill that would allow all people <250% of federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status, to be covered by the ACA essential health plan. Advocacy to get the bill through the State Assembly is needed. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
