TRI-COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
June 12, 2024, 10:00-11:30am
By Zoom Videoconference
Members Present: S. Altaf (Co-chair), J. Palmer (Co-chair), V. Alvarez, M. Diaz., L M. Acevedo, L. Best L, J. Braithwaite, A. Contreras, V. Carlone, L., Cyrus, J. Gobler, K. Mandel, , K. Scott, S.Thomas,
Members Absent: A. Desir, L. Bucknor, J. Gago, L. Hakim, A. Hardman, A. Ruggiero, B. Malloy, A. Milian, L. Francis, A. Pizarro, L. Reid
Guest Present: M. Yomogida, D. Norman
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: D. Klotz, D. Saab, J. Klein, G. Dominguez-Plummer, J. Acosta, S. Kramer
Agenda Item # 1-3: Opening/Moment of Silence/Minutes/Public Comment
Julian P. and Saqib A. opened the meeting followed by introductions and a moment of silence. The minutes for June 12th, 2024 meeting were approved.
Doienne S. gave a dedication to Saqib A., acknowledging his years of commitment, leadership and service to the Tri-County Steering Committee and the NY HIV Planning Council. Several members wished Saqib A. well and thanked him for his service, as he steps down as Co-chair and committee member.
Agenda Item #4: Updates
Consumer Update
| Victor A. reported that the NYS AI is reviewing some of the challenges impacting aging adults with HIV – from social isolation to depression/suicide. Maria D. flagged that multiple health issues on top of having to stay connected to services pose as serious barriers for long-term survivors. Lisa B. shared that for those living with co-morbidities they should be fast-tracked into geriatric care that is tailored to their specific needs. She also expressed that she would like for the TCSC to participate in conferences and workshops in the forthcoming future. |
Recipient Report
Johanna A. reported news from HRSA and other federal agencies, including the commemoration of HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day on June 5th and National HIV Testing Day on June 27th. HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) released a new program letter that provides guidance regarding how RWHAP funds may be used to provide expungement services for PWH who have had legal system involvement.
On June 3, leaders from throughout the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released statements in celebration of Pride Month. Carole Johnson, the Administrator of HRSA stated, “this Pride Month, HRSA continues to proudly stand with the LGBTQI+ community, ensuring access to quality health care and supportive services through HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, HRSA-supported community health centers, and other programs.
Registration remains open for the 2024 National Ryan White Conference, August 20-23, 2024. Virtual attendance is unlimited. On June 25, 2024, PHS, on behalf of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV, and STIs (BHHS) released the RWHAP Part A Behavioral Health Services for PWH in NYC and Non-Medical Case Management Services for Currently and Recently Incarcerated PWH in New York City Request for Proposals (RFP). This funding opportunity intends to fund 27 behavioral health subawards under three RWHAP Part A behavioral health service categories (i.e., Mental Health Services, Supportive Counseling Services, and Harm Reduction Services) at a total of $13,203,171 annually and one RWHAP Part A Non-Medical Case Management Services for Currently and Recently Incarcerated PWH subaward at a total of $1,436,644 annually. Last month, the Recipient submitted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Annual Progress Report to HRSA. The report provides a summary of the Recipient’s progress in meeting program goals and other RWHAP Part A requirements, including providing updates on service categories and the HIV Care Continuum; Planning Council activities; Early Identification of Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS (EIIHA); the Minority AIDS Initiative Annual Report; certification of aggregate administrative expenditures; and Women, Infants, Children, and Youth (WICY) expenditures reports. On May 14, the NYC Health Department released the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Single Adults RFP. In accordance with HOPWA federal funding guidelines, the RFP intends to fund up to 20 qualified not-for-profit organizations to provide supportive permanent housing in New York City to very lowincome PWH for a period of nine years (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2034), with no options for renewal. On May 30, the Quality Management and Program Implementation (QMPI) Unit of the HIV Care and Treatment Program (CTP) facilitated the first ever Category Showcase, focusing on housing services. The Showcase, a new virtual event, offers subrecipients the opportunity to build knowledge, awareness, and understanding about the array of services offered in the New York EMA. The 2024 Ryan White Part A All-Provider Meeting is taking place on July 16 at Baruch College. Important updates and helpful information for subrecipients will be shared throughout the day. The event will feature various workshops and breakout sessions on collecting and implementing consumer feedback into program services, utilizing eSHARE data for quality management, and facilitating linkages to RWHAP Part A supportive services throughout the NY EMA. Registration information will be sent to all subrecipients in the coming week.
On Monday July 22, members of both BHHS HIV-related stigma groups (EHE and ESCALATE) are joining forces to host an event at Gotham Center for Zero HIV Stigma Day: a new observance centered around raising awareness on how HIV-related stigma affects all of our beloved communities (not just PWH). On June 8, the New York State legislature ended its 2023 legislative session. Governor Kathy Hochul has until December 31, 2024, to sign into law or veto the over 800 bills the New York State Assembly and Senate passed this session. On May 31, PrEP4All and Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP) issued a letter to U.S. House and Senate appropriations committee leadership calling for $100 million in FY 2025 discretionary funding to develop a National PrEP Program. On June 2, International Sex Workers’ Day, UNAIDS released a statement in solidarity with sex workers in support of their health, recognizing the need to address structural and societal stigma and discrimination, including criminalization of sex work. On May 15, Walgreens announced the launch of its own generic version of naloxone nasal spray, which rapidly reverses the effects of a known of suspected opioid overdose. The over-the-counter Walgreens Brand Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray retails for $34.99 for two doses, which is $10 cheaper than the brand-name version. It is available online and in stores.
Planning Council Update
David K. announced that Ryan White Part A housing funds can now be used for security deposits for client seeking housing. J. Klein shared that the Consumer Committee will facilitate a breakout session during the July Quality Improvement provider workshop on Consumer Advisory Boards on July 16th. Doienne S. shared that the Needs Assessment Committee concluded its review of data on the topic improving access to HIV services for people involved in sex work, a population identified in the 2022 full Needs Assessment. The Committee is in the process of developing recommendations for RWPA providers on serving this population. The Integration of Care Committee reviewed and discussed a revised Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) services directive which incorporates updated language from current NY State Integrated HIV Care and Treatment plan as well as mandating spending through as least one service site located within the five boroughs of NYC. The Priority Setting and Resource Allocation Committee is developing the spending request for the GY 2025 grant application. The EMA is allowed to request up to 5% more than the current grant year’s award. The Committee has been reviewing data on service categories with a history of underspending and/or lower than expected enrollment and will receive data on categories with unmet need that can absorb additional funds to increase capacity. The Planning Council’s Annual Member Recognition Event will be held on Friday, August 9th.
Agenda Item #5: Presentation – 2023 – 2024 Year in Review
Saqib A. and Julian P. provided a recap on the TCSC activities completed from November 2023 to July 2024. Members shared that they enjoyed hearing about the TCSC’s accomplished tasks for the planning year.
Agenda Item #6: Presentation – Planning for the GY 2025 Application Spending Plan
Doienne S. shared the GY 2025 application spending plan and recapped the series of presentations delivered to the TCSC from April to June on housing services in the region. Every year, HRSA allows TCSC to request a 5% increase then the current year amount. A vote was called for the TCSC members to decide the allocation of the 5% surplus to a service category(-ies) of choice. A motion was seconded to allocate the entire amount of $223,491 to housing services. The vote to allocate $223,491 to housing services was approved with 12 yays and 0 nos.
G. Dominguez-Plummer expressed that there is a housing crisis and a food/nutrition need in the Tri- County region especially among aging adults. She shared the urgency to address these needs with the Recipient’s HRSA Project Officer.
Agenda Item #7: Adjournment
David K. announced that K. Mandelwould be stepping down as a committee member and that Karin Palencia-Lua, would be their replacement in the Fall. It was also announced that Victoria Carlone from Legal AID Society would also be a new member in the Fall.
The next meeting will be announced in the months to come. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
