TRI-COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
October 8 2025, 10:00am-11:21am By Zoom Videoconference
DRAFT MINUTES
Members Present: J. Palmer (Co-chair), L M. Acevedo, V. Alvarez, R. Agarwal, J. Braithwaite,
A. Contreras, M. Diaz, J. Gobler J. Gago, P. Germinaro, L. Hakim, B. Malloy, K. Palencia-Lua, K. Scott, S. Thomas
Members Absent: L. Cyrus, , D. Anderson, L. Best, L. Bucknor, V. Carlone, A. Hardman, K. Mandel, A. Milian, A. Pizarro, L. Reid, A. Ruggiero, P. Tang, G. Thomas
Guest and other
PC Members Present: J. Schoepp
Staff Present: NYC DOHMH: D. Klotz (Governmental Co-Chair), D. Saab, M. Navejas, L. Moya-Adames, A. Omeyoma, G. Dominguez-Plummer, J. Acosta, S. Kramer, J. Cheek
Julian P. opened the meeting with a roll call of members followed by a moment of silence.
The minutes for the September 8th 2025 meeting were approved with no changes.
John Schoepp, Consumers Committee Co-Chair, invited and encouraged TCSC members participation in the next Consumers Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2:00 PM. In the meeting there will be a presentation on healthcare access in a changing Federal landscape. John emphasized the importance of Tri-County participation to ensure community voices guide decision-making throughout the NY EMA.
Consumer Update
Maria D. and Victor A. shared that having to confirm HIV status every 6 months with provider is burdensome for consumers. Guadalupe P. said that unfortunately this is a process that is required by HRSA.
Maria D. highlighted emerging issues like social isolation, frailty and polypharmacy are barriers for ageing PWH in the region.
Doienne S. assured consumers that she would invite subject matter experts in the topics discussed above to present an upcoming TCSC meetings.
Recipient Report
None reported for this month.
Planning Council and Federal Administration Update
David K. reported that the Council planning year is underway and welcoming 11 new members. The Council new member orientation will be held Friday, Oct. 17th. The full Council meeting will be held on October 30th. David K. noted that the Integration of Care Committee is currently revising the NYC Food and Nutrition Services Directive, which will be presented to Tri-County in December for review.
David also shared that the Consumers Committee would meet on October 21st, featuring a presentation from DOHMH’s Policy Unit on federal Medicaid changes set to take effect in 2026. He assured members that the ongoing federal government shutdown would not affect Ryan White Part A programs, as the full grant had already been awarded. The HRSA Project Officer, Axel Reyes, remains active since Ryan White staff are classified as essential personnel.
Locally, David explained that while the current Mayor will not seek re-election, the transition will not disrupt Ryan White Part A operations or appointments. The Department will brief incoming mayoral staff next summer to ensure a smooth handoff. He also confirmed that the FY2025 award notice was received in July 2025, funding programs through February 28, 2026.
Sara K. presented an overview on Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A Psychosocial Support Services (PST) in the Tri-County region. She informed the Cmte. that a new service directive for the Medical Transportation Program is required from the Tri-County Steering Committee. She outlined the purpose of the program—to provide group and individual counseling that helps people living with HIV manage emotional, behavioral, and social challenges that may affect their health. Activities include bereavement counseling, family and caregiver support, non-dietitian nutrition counseling, pastoral care, and HIV support groups. She noted that Ryan White funds cannot be used for nutritional supplements, gym
memberships, or recreational activities. The program’s goals include improving ART
adherence, retention in care, and viral suppression.
Sarah highlighted challenges in maintaining consistent attendance at group sessions and limited use of pastoral counseling, along with staff turnover during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she emphasized that clients report strong appreciation for the support groups and the sense of community they provide, often leading to linkages with food and housing programs.
Jelani C. (Evaluation Specialist) presented the latest factsheet on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A Psychosocial Support Services (PST) in the Tri-County region, sharing key data points for informing the Cmte.
He reported that 51 clients were enrolled in 2024, the majority between the ages of 50 and 64, primarily Black women residing in Westchester County. Most identified as people aging with HIV, people with disabilities, or cisgender women of color.
Across grant years, the number of clients served remained stable, though service units delivered varied by category. Supportive counseling and service coordination were the most utilized components, with a sharp increase in coordination activities and a decrease in service plan updates in 2024.
During discussion, Julian Palmer asked about the distinction between group and individual counseling services and the concentration of clients in Westchester. Sarah explained that both formats are used, and that service distribution reflects agency location—programs operate in Westchester and Rockland but not in Putnam. Maria Isabel D. asked about the decline in some service units, which Sarah attributed to the normalization of service demand following the pandemic. Kay S. questioned whether the data variations reflected coding changes or increased need; Sarah and Jelani agreed the rise likely reflects a genuine increase in coordination efforts.
Overall, it was mentioned that the service program is demonstrating to be a success with an increase in the total number of clients served and service activities delivered.
Agenda Item #7: Psychosocial Support (PST) Service Program Directive Doienne S. presented the updated the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A Psychosocial Support Services (PST) in the Tri-County region. She explained that the directive is being revised to ensure the language and service model are reflective of the needs of PWH.
She explained that the update aims to align the service model with current best practices, integrate equity and stigma-reduction goals, and reflect new tools available to providers.
Doienne detailed several key updates, including:
• Incorporation of self-management assessments every three months to help clients evaluate their own progress and needs.
• Use of the Ryan White Part A Google Maps directory to connect clients to nearby primary care, HIV care, and mental health services.
• Expanded guidance on warm handoffs, accompaniment, and transportation supports to ensure continuity of care.
• Broader definitions of counseling and peer-support activities, emphasizing holistic and trauma-informed approaches.
• Inclusion of peer-led and community-based sessions, and emphasis on hiring staff with lived experience representative of the communities served.
She also noted that the revised directive clarifies eligibility—clients do not need a DSM-5 diagnosis to access psychosocial services, and active substance use or a criminal history does not disqualify participation. The goals are to strengthen client engagement, promote self-advocacy, and advance equity across populations most affected by HIV.
Doienne S. emphasized that the development of the service directive included a review of literature; as well as discussions with PC staff experienced in delivering psychosocial support services.
The Cmte. committee reached consensus to adopt the updated directive, with no objections raised.
The next service directive to revise and discuss will be the Mental Health program.
Adjournment
The Next Steering Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2025 10-11:30 AM.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
