TRI-COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
May 14 , 2025, 10:00am-11:24am
By Zoom Videoconference
M I N U T E S
Members Present: J. Palmer (Co-chair), L., Cyrus (Co-chair), V. Alvarez, M. Diaz., L M. Acevedo, R. Agarwal, L. Best, J. Braithwaite, L. Bucknor, V. Carlone, A. Contreras, J. Gago, P. Germinaro, J. Gobler, L. Hakim, A. Milian, A. Pizarro, P. Tang, S. Thomas
Members Absent: D. Anderson, A. Hardman, , K. Palencia-Lua, K. Mandel, B. Malloy, L, Reid, A. Ruggiero, K. Scott, G. Thomas,
Guest and other
PC Members Present: D. Norman, J. Schoepp
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: D. Klotz, D. Saab, M. Navejas, A. Omeyoma, J. Acosta, S. Kramer
Agenda Item # 1-2: Introductions/Moment of Silence/Minutes
Julian P. and LaShonda C. opened the meeting followed by a moment of silence.
Agenda Item #3: Meeting Minutes
The minutes for April 9th, 2025 meeting were approved with no changes.
Agenda Item #4: Public Comment
John S. thanked the Tri-County Committee consumers for attending and participating in the CAB Townhall at The LBTQ Center in Manhattan this past April.
Agenda Item #4: Updates
Consumer Update
| Maria D. expressed that Medicaid transportation continues to be an unreliable mode of transport for consumers. Doienne S. shared that the Planning Council and the Recipient submitted a memo detailing the transportation complaints from consumers and requested a representative speak to the committee at an upcoming meeting. The contractor, Med Answering agreed to have a meeting the PC/Recipient, however we have not heard back about confirmation of that meeting being scheduled. Doienne S. will send another follow-up email. Maria D.also mentioned that the frequent occurrences of fall-related incidents and heart conditions, and social isolation continue to be an issue for consumers. Victor A. emphasized the importance of addressing consumer concerns that have not been resolved by the State. Doienne S. has invited John Hartigan, Project Director of HIV and Aging at the AIDS Institute to come to speak to the committee about aging related concerns and AI’s programs and resources to address these barriers to care. |
Recipient Report
Sara K. provided announcements related to federal agency and local program developments. Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through September 30, 2025. HRSA issued partial FY 2025 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part A awards (41% Formula, 27% MAI).
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (BHHS) released concept papers for upcoming RFPs related to Care Coordination, Outpatient Ambulatory Services, Emergency Financial Services, and Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiatives. Subawards are expected to begin in March 2026.
Planning is underway for the 2025 RWHAP Part A Provider Meeting, scheduled for July 29 at Baruch College, and will include a Consumer Committee-led workshop.
The Quality Management (QM) Committee convened on April 22 to continue discussions on provider-consumer collaboration. A training focused on client engagement and feedback in quality improvement (QI) is scheduled for May 6.
The NYC Council passed the “HASA for All” legislation to expand HIV service eligibility to all income-eligible people with HIV. BHHS launched an updated Living Sure PrEP campaign and released new outreach materials and provider-facing resources, including guidance on long-acting CAB/RPV HIV treatment.
Planning Council and Federal Administration Update
David K. reported that the Ryan White Part A grant award for the NY EMA is expected to remain stable at current levels for 2025, with any reduction likely due to the routine annual adjustment in the formula award based on relative HIV case counts. All service categories are anticipated to be fully funded as in the previous year. However, Congress is proposing to eliminate Part F (dental services), significantly reduce CDC HIV Prevention programs, cut the MAI grant (which accounts for 8% of EMA funding), and reduce Medicaid funding. David encouraged committee members to write and make calls to local officials to oppose these proposed cuts.
David K. announced that the Planning Council meeting will take place May 22nd from 2 to 4pm. The agenda includes the 2024 closeout report, Priority Setting and Resources Allocation committee’s drafted plan to support the budget based upon carryover funds from the prior year, a report back from the Recipient on the implementation of the PC Framing Directive, Crystal-Meth Driven Chemsex Recommendations to RWPA providers. He also announced that tablet devices are now available for consumers to pick up and use.
Agenda Item #5: Early Intervention Services (EIS) Directive, Tri-County – Draft Revisions to Service Model and Eligibility Criteria
Doienne S. presented on the Early Intervention Services (EIS) directive, Tri-County revisions to enhance the delivery of HIV testing and linkage to services for people who test positive for HIV. Doienne S. provided background on the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) program’s definition and the allowable services under the Ryan White Part A (RWPA). The presentation highlighted the types of services subrecipients are required to provide or coordinate through referral and navigation care.
Doienne S. then shared the newest updates to the EIS program service model. Included in the updated text of the service model was the importance of serving priority populations, particularly Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals, people with serious mental illness, people who are unhoused, and people who use substances/drugs – populations that are marginalized and disproportionately impacted by both HIV and barriers to HIV testing and care services.
She highlighted outlined the program’s commitment to providing client-centered, culturally appropriate service model to support early HIV diagnosis, linkage to care, and retention for people with HIV (PWH), including those out-of-care. Key components updated to the service directive included:
- Goals & Objectives: To improve HIV testing, re-engagement in care, and viral suppression, particularly among marginalized and disproportionately impacted populations, using strategies aligned with the NYS 2022–2026 Integrated HIV Plan.
- Service Model:
- HIV testing at agency sites, community events, mobile, and non-specialized settings e.g., homeless shelters, community-based organizations, mental health and substance use programs.
- Expanding HIV testing via a home test giveaway program (e.g., self-testing kits).
- Immediate initiation of ART (iART) and primary care appointments within 7 days of a positive result.
- Partner notification and linkage to prevention services like PrEP and emergency PEP, and DOXY PEP.
- Assessment and closed-loop referrals for medical, behavioral health, housing, food, and legal needs.
- Navigation and case finding to link and retain clients in care.
- Client Eligibility:
- All individuals are eligible for Ryan White-funded HIV testing.
- All PWH are eligible for linkage and navigation services, regardless of substance use or criminal history.
- Agency Requirements:
- Must have experience with serving clients with HIV and diverse populations.
- Must offer services within the Tri-County area and be linked to a full spectrum of supportive programs.
- Staff must be trained in HIV care, cultural competence, and language access.
In closing, Doienne S. noted that this revised EIS service directive will guide the procurement process for oral health services in the Tri-County region beginning on March 1, 2027. The presentation concluded with an invitation for questions and discussion from members of the committee. Some committee members expressed concern about low HIV testing rates and a low yield in positive test results in the region through the current service model. Others highlighted interest in HIV self-testing programs and community-based testing as ways to innovatively expand testing options for individuals who do not access traditional healthcare services.
There was a consensus to approve the revised service directive for early intervention services, Tri-County (EIS).
Agenda Item #6: Adjournment
David K. mentioned that the committee will continue revising service directives, resuming with Medicaid transportation in June.
The next meeting will occur on June 11th, 2025, from 10 – 11:30 am. There being no further busi
