TRI-COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
December 17th, 2025, 10:05am-11:35am By Zoom Videoconference
MINUTES
Members Present: J. Palmer (Co-chair), L. Cyrus (Co-chair), M. Acevedo, V. Alvarez, L. Bucknor, V.
Carlone, A. Contreras, , J. Gago, L. Hakim, B. Malloy, K. Palencia-Lua, A. Pizarro, K. Scott, S.
Thomas
Members Absent: R. Agarwal, L. Best, J. Braithwaite, M. Diaz, P. Germinaro, J. Gobler, A. Hardman,
A. Milian, A. Ruggiero, S.Servadio, P. Tang
Other PC Members Present: J. Schoepp, B. Fields
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: D. Klotz (Governmental Co-Chair), D. Saab, L. Moya-Adames, A. Omeyoma,
G. Dominguez-Plummer (ex-officio), J. Acosta, S. Kramer, A.Eppinger-Meiering, G.Mackson
Agenda Item # 1: Roll Call/Moment of Silence/Announcements
LaShonda and Julian opened the meeting with a roll call of members followed by a moment of silence.
The minutes for the November 12th 2025 meeting were approved with no changes.
John S. invited Tri-County (TC) consumers to attend the Council’s Consumers Committee to work
collaboratively across the EMA.
Agenda Item #2: Updates
Recipient Report
Johanna Acosta presented the November–December Recipient Report on behalf of the Recipient. She
highlighted the observance of the 37th annual World AIDS Day and noted related events held across
New York City. Updates included the release of the 2023 ADAP Annual Data Report and the 2023 Ending
the HIV Epidemic Initiative Data Report, as well as the announcement of the 2026 National Ryan
White Conference, scheduled for August 4–7, 2026, in Washington, DC. She also shared information on
new federal policy tools examining the potential impact of Affordable Care Act changes and HIV
policy shifts. Within the NYC Dept. of Health – Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV and STIs, grant
administration updates included the release of the EHE Enhanced Data to Care Request for Proposals,
with applications due in January 2026 and program implementation anticipated later that year.
Additional bureau updates covered HIV surveillance reporting, World AIDS Day events, staff
recognitions, Mpox advisories, and updated HIV prevention resources.
Planning Council and Federal Administration Update
David Klotz provided a Planning Council and federal budget update. He reported that three
Tri-County service directives—Medical Case Management, Oral Health, and Medical Transportation—had
received final approval. He noted that scenario planning for potential FY2026 funding reductions
would begin in January. D. Klotz summarized current federal budget negotiations, outlining proposed
funding scenarios from the White House, House, and Senate, and expressed concern regarding
potential reductions to HIV prevention funding, Minority AIDS Initiative resources, and housing
supports. He also shared information about an upcoming HRSA formula change that may result in
modest funding gains for the New York EMA over time. Advocacy resources were discussed and will be
shared with committee members.
Agenda Item #3: RWPA Food and Nutrition (FBT) Service Directive Program Overview
J. Acosta presented an overview of the Food and Nutrition Services program in preparation for
re-procurement in 2026. She reviewed the purpose, goals, and scope of services, including food
access and Medical Nutrition Therapy, as well as eligibility requirements and recommended staffing
structures in accordance with HRSA guidelines. J. Acosta outlined eligible service components,
including food access modalities (home-delivered meals, congregate meals, pantry bags, vouchers)
and Medical Nutrition Therapy delivered by registered dietitians. Challenges such as rising food
costs, COVID-related staffing impacts, and service utilization trends were discussed, along with
successes related to program spend-down and use of enhancement and carryover funds.
Adrianna Eppinger-Meiring shared feedback drawn from recent listening sessions, highlighting client
and provider experiences and perspectives related to food access, service delivery, and nutritional
needs within the Tri-County region under FBT. The feedback emphasized the importance of healthy and
culturally responsive food options, food quantity provided, service flexibility, and addressing
practical barriers clients face in accessing nutrition services. These insights were shared to help
inform the ongoing development of the Food and Nutrition Services service directive and upcoming
directive revisions.
Grace Mackson presented the Food and Nutrition Services (FBT) factsheet summarizing program goals,
utilization, and client demographics across the Tri-County region. G. Mackson highlighted that the
program serves 303 active clients (GY2024), primarily people aged 50 and older, Black or Latino
individuals, cisgender MSM, cisgender women of color, people with disabilities, and transgender
women—populations disproportionately impacted by HIV and food insecurity. Data demonstrated
consistent utilization of multiple service modalities, including food vouchers, pantry bags,
home-delivered meals, and nutrition counseling, with strong spend-down of Planning Council-approved
allocations over recent grant years. Food insufficiency data showed that the majority of clients
experience moderate to severe food insufficiency, underscoring the continued need for nutrition
services. G. Mackson also noted systems-level considerations, including potential federal funding
uncertainty for SNAP and WIC, which may further increase reliance on Ryan White–funded Food and
Nutrition Services in the Tri-County region.
Draft Service Directive Revisions
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Doienne Saab. presented a revised draft of the directive, incorporating revisions made to the most
recent Tri-County Food and Nutrition Service directive and adding innovations based on data and
research collected by the Community Planner to ensure the language and service model are reflective
of the needs of PWH, update aims to align the service model with current best practices, integrate
equity and stigma-reduction goals, and reflect new tools available to providers. Details of the
proposed revisions included aligning the directive with HRSA requirements, updating nutritional
standards, and introducing accessible and innovative food and nutrition delivery models to better
address food insecurity and dietary needs among Ryan White Part A clients.
D. Saab highlighted a structural clarification within the directive separating Food and Meals
(non-core) from Medical Nutrition Therapy (core), in accordance with HRSA monitoring standards,
while encouraging providers to offer or partner for both service components. Key updates included
expanded and modernized food and meal services, emphasizing healthy, whole and nutritionally
balanced, and culturally relevant food options, client choice, and
flexibility to reflect clients’ cultural, religious, and dietary preferences. The directive allows
for emergency pantry bags and food vouchers, prepared meals for clients unable to cook or shop, and
guidance to ensure meals meet nutritional standards.
She also reviewed newly added and strengthened service delivery options, including mobile food
pantries, grocery and meal delivery using provider or contracted services, and coordination of
transportation supports (e.g., discounted/free rideshare programs or taxi vouchers). D. Saab
described updates that removed overly clinical language for Food and Meal providers only, in favor
of client-centered, public-facing nutrition guidance, and strengthened expectations around
nutrition education using evidence-based tools and community resource directories.
Additionally, she presented the integration of digital nutrition and food access platforms,
including tele-nutrition, virtual registered dietitian consultations, app-based grocery vouchers,
and digital nutrition education, with requirements for HIPAA compliance and accessibility.
Other revisions included clearer intake and reassessment standards, linkage to Emergency Financial
Assistance for clients experiencing acute food insecurity, and an explicit emphasis on
equity-focused service delivery, prioritizing populations and areas with the highest levels of food
insecurity and health inequities. Committee members were invited to provide feedback prior to
advancing the directive for further review and approval.
The Committee reached a consensus to adopt the updated directive as presented.
The next service directive to revise and discuss will be the Food & Nutrition Services category.
Agenda Item #4: Consumer Update
Migdalia A. raised their concerns regarding limited variety in food provided during group settings.
Planning Council staff clarified that food provided during psychosocial support groups is distinct
from Food and Nutrition Services funded under this service category and is subject to separate
funding
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limitations. Additional context was provided regarding per-person food cost caps and broader
funding constraints. Committee members emphasized the importance of addressing such concerns at the
program level while recognizing fiscal limitations.
Additional questions were raised regarding access to Food and Nutrition Services and referral
pathways, particularly for consumers experiencing weight changes or nutrition-related health
concerns. Committee leadership and provider representatives offered to follow up directly to ensure
appropriate referrals and support.
The Next Steering Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2026 10-11:30 AM.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
