MN HIV
Services Planning Council
Meeting Minutes for June 11, 2002
Department of Human Services (DHS)
Council Members Present: |
Council Members Absent: |
|
David Bergquist |
Don Anderson |
|
Linda Brandt |
Michael Allen Beyer |
|
Sheila Brunelle |
Clarence Charles – excused |
|
Megan Ellingson |
Helen Doris Reed – excused |
|
Frank Guzman |
Roxanne Robinson |
|
Randy Hornstine |
Michelle Sims – LOA |
|
Efren Tovar Leon |
Debra Smith – excused |
|
Judi Marshall (Co-chair) |
John Whalen – excused |
|
Mary May |
Norman Wylie |
|
Nick Metcalf |
|
|
Steve Moore |
|
|
Jerry Moss (Co-chair) |
|
|
Tim O’Brien - via phone |
|
|
Bob Olander |
|
|
Dave Rompa |
|
|
Sarah Rybicki |
|
|
Sarah Senseman |
|
|
Paul Tucker |
|
|
|
|
|
Guests: |
|
|
Frances Hodge – HRSA |
Jim Huber – DHS |
|
Linda Atlas – DHS |
Jonathan Hanft – DHS |
|
Dr. Ron Schut – HCMC |
Dr. Keith Henry – HCMC |
|
Bob Tracy – MAP |
Dr. Frank Rhame – Clinic 42 |
|
|
|
|
IGA Present: |
|
|
Julie Hanson – MDH |
Tracy Sides – MDH |
Eduardo Parra - Hennepin County |
Jeff Buckles – DHS |
Meg Hargreaves - Hennepin County |
Darlene Thomas-Fly – DHS |
Michelle McCafferty - Hennepin County |
|
|
|
|
Staff: |
Consultants: |
|
Mary Doyle |
Juan Jackson – CLEAR |
|
Wardell Thompson |
Becky Kroll – CLEAR |
|
Mary Dwyer (minutes) |
|
I. Welcome – Jim Huber, DHS
Introductions; lighting of the candle
Jerry called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. Jim Huber lit the candle with a reminder of those he knows who are living with the disease and those who have gone on. He lit the candle today with the idea of hope. Jim welcomed everyone and thanked us for coming to DHS for the Planning Council meeting.
The agenda was finalized as is. Jerry Moss asked for clarification of CHS in the minutes. It is an acronym for Community Health Services. Dave motioned the minutes be accepted. The motion was seconded and passed.
Jerry Moss, Planning Council co-chair, asked that as some Planning Council members end their terms in October they consider finding a new member with whom to discuss the history of the Planning Council and what they’ve learned. It could be very useful for the new members to acquire a sense of the history of the Planning Council. He also suggested that any candidates for Planning Council co-chair consider attending the Joint co-chair meetings.
Norms for meeting
Mary Doyle asked the members to review the norms for meeting behavior. She also asked the members to consider adding a new norm – that when information is presented, members hold comments and questions until the speaker has finished the presentation. If a speaker would prefer comments and questions during the presentation they can so indicate. In case a member has a point they are concerned they will forget Mary has provided scratch paper for each member. They can use this for any notes/ideas they have. The Planning Council approved adding this to the norms.
Meg also named Jennifer’s replacement. Jonathan Hanft of DHS will start in Jennifer Thompson’s former position as Title I Grantee for the Hennepin County Community Health Department July 1, 2002. Congratulations Jonathan!
Jeff Buckles of DHS made the Title II report. The all Titles meeting at DHS was well attended. The various representatives got to know each other, exchange information, etc. It was a start. Other meetings will follow. A meeting focusing on data collection is first on the agenda. The carryover plan will be brought to the Planning and Priorities Committee meeting in June. Julie had copies of the Title II application available for those interested.
VI. Health care providers follow up to Uncompensated Care
Dr. Ron Schut, Dr. Frank Rhame, and Dr Keith Henry presented on local uncompensated care issues. They would like to collaborate with other groups in the EMA on this issue. This new level of uncompensated care is a result of a huge change that came about, as the new medications for HIV/AIDS became available. Before that time, people with AIDS were often hospitalized. With the new meds, most patients are treated on an outpatient basis but requires a great deal of face time with patients to manage their complex medical and medication pictures. The funding for this extensive consultation is either non-existent or reimbursed at a very low rate. This results in different payment streams with the outpatient payment being much less. The power point presentation made by the doctors is attached.
Juan Jackson and Becky Kroll of CLEAR and Meg Hargreaves from Hennepin County Community Health Department presented a training on analyzing data.
Becky illustrated the importance of range by illustrating the range of the height of Planning Council members. Using the height data in a program like SPSS (a statistical computer program), Becky and Juan showed examples of tests that they run on the numbers, including significance. Juan then illustrated the importance of looking at the actual numbers, as well as significance, when looking at data. He cited an example of the Hmong population in Minnesota – there has been a 100% increase in the number of cases reported but in reality this means the number of Hmong people infected with HIV/AIDS went from two to four. Another issue discussed was the total number of people in the population – much data we have available is difficult to interpret because we don’t know the number of a certain population to use as the denominator. Becky also shared that certain data sources, like the census, historically underrepresent certain groups. Materials were passed out – the blue sheet contains definitions of key statistical terms and the white sheet demonstrates how to calculate rates in the population.
Tracy Sides, Epidemiologist from MDH, then discussed methods of looking at data in Epidemiology. She shared that there are always limitations and questions about sources so be sure to ask questions as they relate to the data. She presented a theme of healthy skepticism, which means whenever someone shares data you need to make sure the data that you’re looking at is valid data. Questions that help determine valid data are: What is the n – how many people did they talk to? How representative is the number of the population? What possible biases might be involved? Different people have different interpretations of what the data is – Tracy cited the example of looking at Planning Council member height and whether to factor in heels – or a person’s self determined response to a question. She also cautioned that the conclusions need to be examined to see if the results are what were to be expected. Juan cautioned that the information the Planning Council looks at depends on the data sources – we may have a lot of information from a variety of data sources. They should be evaluated separately.
Becky moved the discussion to how to use data for prioritization. Becky asked members to pose questions that people may have regarding service areas. Questions identified were: How do HIV Positive people rank service? How does that compare to my experience (or the experiences of those we’re working to serve)? What quantitative and qualitative data is available? Differences exist among providers – what is being measured? How many do they serve? Who is being served? Who is not being served? How does this compare to Epi? How are needs different by race, gender and location? Becky then asked where people would look for this data. Planning Council members mentioned agency information, emerging population trends, asking those affected what is important to them – which can be different for a variety of reasons (those living in greater Minnesota was used as an example).
Becky and Juan passed out additional information including Using Data for Decision Making that is available from the HRSA website and a list of resources aimed at helping non-statisticians understand statistics.
Jim Huber and Dave Rompa introduced members of the staff at DHS – the teams then gave an overview of the services that they provide. Packets of information about DHS services were made available for all Planning Council members at the beginning of the meeting.
Mary Doyle reminded the members that Frances will be attending the HIV+ Committee meeting today and then from 4:00 to 5:00 pm will meet with Planning Council members at Powderhorn Partners. She mentioned the change in time for the meeting in July. The HIV+ Committee will meet from 10:00 am to 12:00 at Aliveness and the Planning Council meeting will be from 12:30 to 3:30 at DIW.
The prioritization process will be in the Planning Council meeting time at DIW on August 13! There are more handouts for the blue notebooks. Contact Mary Dywer for copies. Please read your handouts for prioritization.
A. Executive Committee
Jerry reported. The doctors presented the same data that was presented today and the Executive Committee discussed options.
B. Operations Committee
Michelle McCafferty gave the report. The conflict resolution process is moving on. Mary Doyle shared that for the Planning Council we’re moving on addressing specific issues in terms of conflict resolution. The IGA group is working on developing a larger process for conflict resolution – they are currently negotiating with Barbara Simpson Epps to consult on this process. New Planning Council members have gotten their permanent committee assignments. Wardell is beginning to recruit new members for September. Willie Bridges has resigned. He was in the social service provider (not an ASO) seat. We also need members from the African American community, the African born group, a Latino community rep, an IDU, a medical rep and men who have sex with men. Please talk to Wardell if you have suggestions for new recruits. Jerry asked that we ask the Operations Committee look at ways to evaluate mentors.
C. Needs Assessment and Evaluation Committee
Sheila Brunelle reported. The next meeting is June 25th. The committee is actively looking for new
community members. They will be looking
at a survey instrument that will be used as part of the strategy Becky and Juan
developed to further define unmet need.
We have also been considering housing needs.
D. Planning and Priorities Committee
Linda Brandt provided the committee report. They are preparing for the prioritization process by doing a final prioritization tool tune up. Our membership could also use some new blood – we’ve got a fairly strong committee but would like to see additional representation from emerging groups, etc.
E. HIV Positive Committee
Randy provided the report. The meeting began by a discussion of carryover funds by Jennifer Thompson who shared the history of how carryover has been handled in the past. Julia Hidalgo also presented additional information on uncompensated care. Since most members were at the meeting the time was used to ask her additional questions. Mary Doyle also did a presentation on the structure of the Planning Council and the relationships of the committees. The committee will begin meeting at 10:00 a.m. next month.
F. Community Participation Committee
Sarah Rybicki provided the report. They are currently working on the communication plan including a quality discussion about how to communicate the information they want to get out to the targeted audience. Dave Rompa recommended that we look at having our meetings early in the morning at least quarterly so we can solicit more participation from the medical community. Discussion continued about how we could include more involvement from doctors.
XI. Working Group Updates – Statewide Plan & Linkages
Julie provided an update. The linkages group has not met so there is no update for that group. The statewide planning group met last Wednesday in Brainerd and is continuing to build on the last meeting. The recommendations around regional planning were discussed including the feedback that was provided by the IGA group. They also looked at how that would impact funding for services. The co-chairs will meet with Debra Ehret to review the feedback they’ve gotten.
XII. Task Force Report
Nick shared there was no update for this meeting.
XIII. Meeting Evaluation
Jerry asked Frances to take a moment to address the group. Frances thanked the Planning Council for having her here. She shared that this is the first site visit to Minnesota in the last five or six years. She was formerly a grantee in Washington, D.C. and has been a project officer for the last two years. Other EMA’s in her region are Seattle, Detroit, Chicago and Houston. She shared that we do excellent reporting, it is on time and detailed. She shared that HRSA is committed to working toward excellence. She also asked that if anyone has questions about her role to please feel free to talk to her. She is our contact for interpreting questions and HRSA requirements. Her relationship is directly with the grantee and she has no formal involvement with the Planning Council. Currently Frances and the Grantee have monthly conference calls. This year quarterly conference calls with a Planning Council representative included will begin. Please feel free to contact Frances – her phone number is 301-443-1892 and email is fhodge@hrsa.gov.
Mary Doyle shared that Open Arms is conducting a search for a new Executive Director. If anyone has a candidate please contact Mary and she will pass the name to the search committee.
Michelle McCafferty mentioned that they will be conducting a training on providing services, etc. for the African population on Friday. Registrations are due tomorrow – please get them to Michelle ASAP.
Dave Rompa announced that the case manager coordinator position will be posted next week as well as another new position.
Jerry announced that the Minnesota State Baptist Women’s Auxiliary will hold a formal banquet July 13th. He is selling tickets and accepting donations. Please contact him with questions, donations, etc.
MOTION: Dave moved Paul seconded adjournment of the meeting. Passed unanimously.
Adjourned 1:00 pm