MN HIV Services Planning Council
Meeting Minutes for February 11, 2003
Division of Indian Work

 

 

I.       Welcome and introductions; lighting of the candle

Paul called the meeting to order at 12:35.  Introductions were made.  Andrea lit the candle.  Last Friday was African-American AIDS Awareness Day and she reminded everyone that this is a global pandemic with many ramifications.

 

II.     Review the minutes and proposed agenda

The revised minutes were approved by unanimous consent.  The agenda was approved as presented.

 

III.   Open forum

Paul read a letter mailed to the Planning Council office – a hard copy.  Friends of David’s also said they’d like to express the same concerns addressed in the letter.  They run the East Central Men’s Circle – they get together and discuss topics that affect their lives with members coming from an area ranging from Cloquet to Hutchinson.  There are a lot of people in this area who are HIV positive who need information about where to go for services.

 

Judy Valerius is the new Clinical Coordinator for RAAN’s rural primary care.  She is aware of the stigma and other problems that impact individuals in the rural area.  She will be working to help develop care for those in the rural areas of Minnesota.  She can be reached by email at judy@raan.org.

 

Judy (former case manager) lives in Little Falls.  She said she hasn’t heard of services available.

 

Hummingbird used to live in the Twin Cities and has now settled in the northland.  He said it feels like there is a real need for more openness and availability of services for those in rural Minnesota.  He has a lot of support but still feels that there is a lot of stigma and a void in services and prevention.  He knows of a number of people in the northland who are positive and resources for them in just don’t exist in the area.

 

Paul thanked everyone for his or her input and hoped everyone would travel carefully on the way home today.

 

IV.             Co-chair update

Critical issue F for the comprehensive plan has gone out to members for comment.  The critical issues for the Comprehensive Plan will be up for approval by the Council next month.  Draft copies of the complete Comprehensive Plan will soon be e-mailed to members. 

 

The Olander three has produced a motion from the Executive Committee.  Motion:  Panning Council staff will maintain information on computer availability and access, including Internet access.  Roxanne seconded.  Mary Doyle gave an update of the discussion.  The resources that we’ve collected provide equipment to 501c3 organizations, which we are not, but we do have access to Ryan White funded computers and e-mail in addition to other, private resources in the Planning council community.  Staff will maintain information on computer resources.  Please contact them with questions/needs.

 

The Executive committee also reviewed the discussion topics provided by Planning Council members and prioritized by the Executive Committee.  The top topic was the Disease Investigation process at MDH, how they do their jobs, what their goals are, etc.  The MDH disease investigators will be here in April or May.

 

The prioritization process is continues under discussion by the Planning & Priorities committee.  They will keep the Planning council apprised.  All Planning Council members are invited to the prioritization process meetings.  The next will be February 12^th at MAP from 10:00 to 12:00 noon.

 

V.                  MDH funding update – Kip Beardsley, MDH

Kip gave an update on the state budget cuts.  The prevention grant budget in the STD/HIV Section at MDH received an unallotment of $1.2 million when the 2003 budget changes were announced. The planned prevention project budget was $1.3 million – this will result in a 50% cut for community prevention grants, counseling & testing.  They met this weekend to come up with a plan.  Lab support for testing at labs with low results, food for the Task Force, the Youth Council and the Needs Assessment committee, will be cut.  No travel will be funded and the media campaigns will be cut. 

 

The Health Department came up with an additional 1/3 of the shortfall from the Community Health Services (CHS) budget to help alleviate the problem.  They then had to look at community contracts to find other places to cut.  One of the priorities was to ensure the capacity of agencies working with communities of color.  Several issues were considered in trying to determine which contracts to maintain in the metro area as well as Greater Minnesota. The priorities established by the Task Force were taken under consideration.  The proportions of funding remained consistent with current funding to insure level federal and state funding for the next biennium.  MDH will be funding all their contracts through the end of March.  If a program is cut it will be cut permanently.  Kip was not able to say which programs were cut because contract managers are still contacting agencies. MDH will make a list available to the general public when the decisions are final.

 

Kip then asked for questions.  Dave R. asked if the health disparities program at MDH was cut.  Becky said immunizations were cut but not HIV programs.  Mary Doyle asked if the CHS cuts would affect the HIV Section.  Kip said it wouldn’t impact the HIV Section but it would impact services the section delivers in the rest of the state.

 

Kip then moved discussion to how this impacts the statewide plan that we’ll be discussing.  His commitment is to continue planning and setting priorities – maybe doing them in a different way or by shifting funding streams within the agencies.  Internally they are continuing to prioritize and look at their activities.  He urged that the statewide discussion for prevention and services continue.

 

Dave R. said next Tuesday the Governor is planning to release his proposed cuts for the 2004-05 budget.  The legislature will have more input on that process so proposed cuts will not necessarily be a done deal on a positive or negative side.  Kip added that we need to be diligently aware of the process until it ends.  He offered that people contact him with questions or requests for more information.  He anticipated that by late this week or early next week they would feel comfortable releasing the information about programs that will continue to be funded.

 

VI.              Continue Statewide Plan discussion – small groups

Paul reviewed the process from our last meeting – today will be a continuation of the discussion that began in January.  Member and guests then broke into the same small groups to continue the discussion.

 

VII.   Jim Huber Goodbye

Jim Huber gave an update on the Governor’s new budget for 2004-05.  The good news is that the Governor has decided not to harm any of the programs that serve those with HIV/AIDS.  He reminded the group that what the Governor recommends might not make it through the legislature.  The bad news is that there are programs that are not HIV specific that may impact those with HIV/AIDS.  It's a long and hard battle.  Since he’s leaving the field he can and will give us advice.  He suggested that we very clearly put a face on HIV & AIDS for the citizens of the State of Minnesota – that we very clearly communicate the issues with which they need to become aquainted. The second thing is to be careful about which bandwagon you get on as a community. The Planning Council may want to be able to fly below the radar screen. 

 

He then announced that he’s staying with DHS but is moving on to be the Director of a new program called the Partnership for Child Development, which will give him an opportunity to work with programs around public welfare.  These programs are all about children including mental health and other disabilities.  He shared that this has been a great part of his life and this change will be difficult for him.  Dave Rompa’s new title is Director of HIV/AIDS Programs.  Paul then presented Jim with a certificate of appreciation for all of his contributions to the Planning Council.  Jim was one of the founders of the Planning Council community and through DHS has worked to support the planning process.  Thanks Jim!

 

VIII.    Statewide Plan discussion

Sarah R. said that the goal this conversation on the statewide plan would be arrive at some consensus on the components of the plan to bring to the conference committee with the Task Force.  This is a departure from the way we normally vote – members will be using the fist of five technique to gain consensus.  Sarah R. will review the five components and ask that each Planning Council member signify their choice.  After voting, the components that have the most agreement will be discussed first.  Julie mentioned that she is abstaining from all voting on the statewide plan discussion.  Nineteen members are present to vote.  Tim asked that his votes be counted the same as Linda’s.  Becky recorded the votes.

 

The conference committee with Task Force representatives will be meet on February 26^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at All God’s Children Church.  A sheet for sign up for the conference committee is being passed around.  The expectation is that the Executive Committee members will all attend and any other interested members are also invited.

 

As promised discussion began on the component with the most agreement - component one – regional planning using the CHS system.  Members weighed in with their comments – overall regional planning was favored but the use of the CHS system was questioned.  Dave R. asked how we can advance this process if we’re considering a plan that may include moving forward without using the CHS system.  Sarah R. said a theme that’s been heard is to continue discussing regional planning without being tied to the CHS model.  The vote was called on the modified component of regional planning.  Nineteen are now voting.  There was consensus on regional planning not being tied to the CHS system.

 

Discussion moved to the next component with a high level of agreement, which was program and service delivery networks (component four).  Discussion continued but consensus was not reached in reframing this component.  It was decided to conclude the statewide plan discussion for this meeting.

 

IX.            Title I update - Jonathan Hanft

Jonathan handed out an outline of his update and a current spending report.  New contracts for next year are being written now.  Title I will not get the full award right way so the staff is moving forward as though funding will be similar to 2001. Proposals for the corrections RFP are due next week.  A letter of intent has been submitted to HRSA for the RARE Assessment – we should hear the first or second week of March if we will be selected.   Jonathan then reviewed the current spending report.   CHD is currently interviewing for the Title II contract manager position vacated by Michelle McCafferty when she took the Quality Management position.

 

X.      Title II update - Jeff Buckles  

A written report was provided to the Planning Council

 

XI.            Committee reports - written

Executive Committee

Planning and Priorities

HIV Positive

Needs Assessment and Evaluation

Operations - action item

MOTION:  Tim moved David B. seconded that the Council recognize the existing Executive Committee and it’s function until the Executive committee, its roles and responsibilities, are written into the by-laws.  Passed unanimously.

Community Participation

 

XII.       Announcements, next agenda

 

Documents distributed at or before the meeting:

·        Agenda

·        January 14, 2003 meeting minutes

·        Task Force and Planning Council Reaction to Statewide Recommendations

·        Statewide discussion components and small group discussion sheet for consensus

·        Meeting evaluation

·        Title I update outline

·        Title II update

·        Committee meeting summaries

 

MOTION:  Debra S. moved Lois seconded adjournment of the meeting.  Passed unanimously.

 

Adjourned at 3:30 p.m.