TRI-COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
January 8, 2025, 10:00-11:40am
By Zoom Videoconference
Members Present: L. Cyrus (Co-chair), J. Palmer (Co-chair), V. Alvarez, M. Diaz., L M. Acevedo, R. Agarwal, J. Braithwaite, L. Bucknor, V. Carlone, A. Contreras, J. Gago, P. Germinaro, J. Gobler, L. Hakim, B. Malloy, A. Milian, K. Palencia-Lua, A. Pizarro, K. Scott, S.Thomas
Members Absent: L. Best, , A. Hardman, K. Mandel, A. Ruggiero, S. Servadio
Guest Present: M. Yomogida
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: D. Klotz, D. Saab, M. Navejas, G. Dominguez Plummer, J. Acosta, S. Kramer, S. Spiegler
Agenda Item # 1-3: Opening/Moment of Silence/Minutes/Public Comment
Julian P. and LaShonda C. opened the meeting followed by introductions and a moment of silence. The minutes for December 11th, 2024 meeting were approved.
Agenda Item #4: Updates
| Consumer Update Maria D. expressed that Medicaid transportation continues to be an unreliable mode of transport for consumers. Another consumer shared their experience with Medicaid transportation. When she contacted customer service, the representative was rude, and the consumer was never connected to a driver for their medical appointment, despite being told that the ride was en route. Doienne S. promised to continue to reach out to Medicaid transportation and Westchester Department of Social Services to relay consumer concerns.Maria D.also mentioned reports of older consumers experiencing fall-related incidents and the need to better understand the causes and how to address. |
Recipient Report
Report provided during the December 11th, 2024 meeting.
Planning Council Update
David K. reported that the Priority Setting and Resource Allocation Committee (PSRA) is developing a methodology for implementing a possible reduction to the award for the Grant year 2025 (GY 25), starting on March 1, 2025. The Consumer’s Committee (CC) is developing a town hall for consumers on client advisory boards (CABs). The townhall will be a hybrid Town Hall in April, open to all Planning Council members to discuss client CABs as an effective method for program quality input and service improvement. The next Planning Council Meeting will be held on January 23rd, with a presentation on the updated Ending the HIV Epidemic plan, followed by an update on the
implementation of recommendations from the Planning Council’s Data Work Group on a set of recommendations to streamline e-SHARE data collection and client intake process.
Agenda Item #5: Presentation – Grant Year 2025 Spending Scenario Plan Discussion and Vote
Doienne S. presented the Grant Year (GY) 2025 Spending Scenario Plan in anticipation of a possible reduction to RWPA EMA program funds. Like, EMA City programs, the Tri-County region is expected to apply a reduction methodology and vote on an approach to apply once the full award is known following Congressional approval of a budget. When deciding on a methodology, the TCSC can request that, as in most years, to keep their programs at level funding up to a 3.5 % decrease in the EMA’s awards. The PSRA Committee typically allows for the TC region to receive a larger percentage of program funds than their proportion of PWH in the EMA due to the lack of local resources compared to NYC (particularly no HASA).
To prepare a potential funding methodology under reduced funding cuts and/or conditions. Doienne S. displayed potential scenario plans options for member review:
- The first scenario proposed an across-the-board reduction, weighted proportionately by ranking score (e.g., the higher ranked categories would receive a proportionately smaller cuts).
- The second scenario option proposed a 1% reduction targeting the lowest ranked service category, Early Intervention Services (EIS).
- A third scenario combined aspects the first two scenarios while reflecting targeted reductions to EIS and an overall across-the-board reduction.
- To provide additional context for the second scenario option, the Recipient presented programmatic data from EISEIS for fiscal year 2023 (3/1/23 to 2/28/24) for discussion. The data revealed the following:
- 820 HIV tests conducted;
- 11 intakes conducted;
- 9 confirmatory tests conducted;
- 23 linkage facilitations provided to ensure HIV+ clients attend medical and non-medical appointments;
- 9 linkages to (HIV primary) care provided;
- 7 linkages to iART provided;
- 25 navigation benefits services provided;
During the discussion, members introduced another scenario plan that proposed an across-the-board reduction to the lowest ranked categories to avoid any harm or cuts to its top five priority ranked services: Housing, Medical Transportation, Psychosocial Support Services, Medical Case Management, and Food/Nutrition. Most members agreed that this option would protect reductions to funding for these essential services. Thereby applying reductions to be absorbed by the remaining, lower priority ranked services: Legal, Oral Health, Mental Health, and Early Intervention Services.
A motion was made, seconded and approved 14Y-0N to approve an across-the-board reduction to the lowest ranked service categories to avoid harm or cuts to its top five priority ranked services: Housing, Medical Transportation, Psychosocial Support Services, Medical Case Management, and Food/Nutrition for GY 2025.
Agenda Item #7: Adjournment
The next meeting will occur on February 12th, 2025, from 10- 11:30 am. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
