MN HIV Services Planning Council
Meeting Minutes for February 10, 2004
Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

 

 

I.       Welcome and introductions; lighting of the candle

Paul called the meeting to order at 9:00.  Introductions were made.  Linda lit the candle in memory of someone who passed away yesterday.  She asked that members continue to think about those living with HIV/AIDS as we do our work.  She cited a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.  “We begin to die the day we stop speaking up for what is important”

 

II.     Review the minutes and proposed agenda

The minutes were approved by unanimous consent.

 

III.   Co-chair update

Paul welcomed Sarah R. back - there is a cake to celebrate the arrival of Gus and her return to the Planning Council.

 

Paul mentioned that for those who’ve been involved in the Council for a while know that there is a tremendous amount of work to be done for prioritization.  Many of the meetings have so much to be accomplished there’s not much time for relationship building.  The leadership recognizes the importance of relationship building through this process as well so the co-chairs will try to add some relationship building opportunities into the Planning Council meetings over the next few months.

 

There was a facilitator training for all co-chairs at the last Executive Committee meeting.  The Planning Council is moving toward prioritization – there are many strands that need to be woven together to make the necessary decisions.  The provider presentations are a part of this.  If you have any questions about any of the process please be sure to call Mary Doyle or one of the co-chairs.  One request from a Planning Council member has been to have as much of the materials for meetings available as far advance as possible.  The co-chairs have asked the grantees to send out their information in advance as well – in the future the grantee/administrative information will be in your packets one week before the meeting.

 

A question was raised at the last meeting related to undocumented individuals.  Paul reminded members that the goal of Ryan White funds is to serve all of those infected with HIV or AIDS.

 

IV.             Benefits Counseling and Legal Services Provider presentations

Aaron Keith introduced the presentations briefly describing the documents that were used to provide key information in the Service Area Reviews for members.  The presentations area also being audiotaped for future review by members.

 

A.                Brief data presentation - Benefits Counseling & Legal Services

Eric summarized data from the SAR for members that the Needs Assessment and Evaluation Committee has reviewed.

 

B.                 Benefits Counseling presentation

Ann Seguin gave the presentation on the benefits counseling service area.

 

C.                 Legal Services presentation

Lynn Mickelson gave the presentation on the legal services service area.

 

D.                Discussion

Aaron Keith facilitated questions from the Planning Council members for Ann and Lynn.

 

V.                 Complementary Care Provider presentations

Aaron Keith gave a brief overview of the complementary care service area, including information contained in the Continuum of Prevention and Care and the Comprehensive Plan.

 

A.                Brief data presentation

Eric provided additional data from the SAR and summary.

 

B.                 Complementary Care presentation

Joe Larson gave the presentation about benefits counseling.  Victoria Hewitt, from The Shen-men Center in St. Paul, was not able to be here today so Joe will be presenting for both programs.

 

C.                 Discussion

Joe then answered questions from Planning Council members facilitated by Aaron Keith.

 

VI.             Title I update – Jonathan Hanft

Jonathan handed out an outline of his presentation and a Title I and II spending report through quarter three.  The grantees are still waiting to hear about the award.  Last year it was received on February 14^th – he’s hoping for a similar timeframe this year.  Currently approximately 70% of funding has been spent.  The entire amount approved for carryover has not been spent at this point.  Notes regarding spending by service area are also included in the report.  Jonathan then answered members’ specific questions. 

 

Jonathan reported that, as part of quality management, they are embarking on a reflective review process.  This is a way to review how outcomes are collected.  All service areas will eventually be looked at but not all at once.  The first to be reviewed will be case management, which is schedule from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 23^rd at Hennepin/Powderhorn Partners.  Six spots for consumers are available - $25 stipends (per session) will be available for consumers who participate in the review process. 

 

He then reviewed the upcoming training schedule for cultural competence and staff development and reminded members that all Planning Council members are welcome to attend any of the training.  Please contact Michelle with questions or to register.

 

VII.        Title II update – Dave Rompa

Dave handed out a written Title II report.  The Title II application has been sent in – it was actually a few days early this year.  Amy did a lot of work to put it together.  Dave introduced Duane, a new insurance specialist, as part of the DHS team.  Duane will also be attending the HIV Positive Committee meetings.

 

Dave and Amy will be tag teaming on presenting information to the Planning Council for the next few months while the legislature is in session because one or the other may not be able to consistently attend.  Amy reported that the Heroes Conference is scheduled for March 26^th from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Hotel space will be provided for only those who live outside the seven county metro area. 

 

Currently an ORR training is scheduled on February 24^th at the Minneapolis Urban League North.  The agencies currently funded through this grant will be available to report on their progress and Wynfred Russell will present his culturally specific web-based training module for working with the Ethiopian, Somali and Oromo communities.  Contact Redwan Hamza to register at 651-582-1974.

 

Dave gave an update on the deployment of the CTK systems.  Currently case management providers will be able to use this database to track data and will also be able to download bubblesheet (utilization) data directly from MDH. 

 

Amy reported that the RFP (request for proposal) for case management will be coming out soon.  Three RFP’s will be sent out - one for case management, one for care advocacy and one for benefits counseling so that providers know that there are distinct differences in the programs.  Awards will be made by June.  Contact Michelle Sims with questions  - she can be reached at 651-582-1980.

 

Dave reported all DHS training will now be free.  It was more expensive to collect the fees than to include participants without fees.  DHS is also adding additional training sessions to those currently scheduled including Hepatitis C/HIV.  The new schedule will be released in March.

 

ADAP update – DHS is still projecting a shortfall in the next fiscal year.  The staff won’t hear what the Governor will be doing with his budget until after the forecast on February 26^th.  On the national end, Congress is offering a $35 million increase, which is dramatically lower than what is needed.  Sixteen states currently have sanctions, six are looking to add sanctions and two are considering adding more.  Sanctions include things like a waiting list and reduced formulary.  Dave said that he is hoping to avoid anything like that but is waiting to see what happens with other funding sources.  He encouraged members to speak with legislators.  For more information about ADAP on a national level visit nastad.org for updates.  Dave further reported that there continuing issues with pharmacies, which has sparked some activism within the community. 

 

Amy reported that there will be a formulary committee meeting at DHS on February 12^th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

 

Amy further reported that the greater MN systems training are moving forward.  Training will be conducted in St. Cloud on April 2^nd.  Other locations identified for 2004 are Slayton, Duluth, Winona and Mankato.

 

Dave provided further information about state programs providing services to individuals who are undocumented.  Currently MCHA is asking applicants to provide information about citizen status.  At this point there is no requirement to provide that information.  Amy further clarified that as of June 1, 2003 the state no longer covered those who are undocumented.  Linda asked about the $5,000 limited benefit plan the state offers and it’s status.  Dave reported that next Monday his staff is anticipating that there will be a necessity to work with folks that have exhausted their benefits.  Amy asked that anyone encountering folks that have maxed out those benefits contact her as soon as possible so the DHS staff can get started on trying to help.  Linda reported that Linda Berglin is holding forums throughout the state to collect anecdotal information on problematic health care situations to present to legislators. 

 

VIII.    Group activity

Tabled to the next meeting for lack of time.

 

IX.            Committee written reports, no action items, time for questions, discussion

·        Community Participation Committee

·        HIV Positive Committee

·        Needs Assessment and Evaluation Committee

·        Operations Committee

·        Planning and Priorities Committee

 

X.      CSAD (CARE Systems Assessment Demonstration) Project update and staff introductions

Meg Hargreaves gave the update.  Currently two other sites are participating – one in Florida and one in California.  Wynfred Russell is the field coordinator, Joan Othieno is the site system assessment coordinator, and Claudia Egelhoff is the site system assessment assistant coordinator.  Six interviewers will also be hired (five have been identified to date).  Training for the team will happen the first week of March.  An advisory committee is working with the team.  Consumers are also being solicited to join the advisory committee.  The next advisory committee meeting is Tuesday, February 17^th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Hennepin/Powderhorn Partners.  There is also space for more folks to attend the training, which will be held March 1^st through 4^th from 8:30 to 4:30 each day in the second floor conference room at the Division of Indian Work.  Please contact Michelle McCafferty at 612-596-7895 with any questions.

 

XI.     Task Force restructuring update – Julie Hanson Pérez

Julie gave a report on the restructuring of the Task Force.  The hope is to increase participation and reduce administrative burden of staff.  They are moving to a three-year planning cycle.  The Task Force will prioritize target populations and interventions beginning in 2005 (the first year of the three year process).  Years two and three will be to conduct gap analysis.  The full Task Force will meet four times per year, two days all day.  Four committees have been condensed in to two committees the work not done in the remaining committees will now be handled by the full Task Force.  Applications for new members are being taken until the end of February.  After that there will be an annual selection process in November.  On February 17^th the Task Force will celebrate this time of change with a potluck.  They are also conducting a contest to change the name of the Task Force.  An orientation will be conducted on March 18^th.  The balance of this year’s meeting will be used to figure out how the processes will be done (how to prioritize gap analyses, etc.).

 

Julie provided clarification of the relationship between the Task Force and Planning Council.  Currently each body tries to report back to the other body to keep them informed.  There is also a joint co-chair meeting held quarterly.  Subsequently work groups have been developed to discuss potential joint projects.

 

XII.       Announcements, next agenda, meeting evaluation

Linda announced that RAAN will be holding an Open House March 29^th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Debra announced that there will be another Celebrating Your Spirit forum on February 12^th – flyers are available at the table.  She also announced that there are clinical trials currently open and left information about those as well.

 

Documents distributed at or before the meeting:

·        Agenda and January 13, 2004 meeting minutes

·        Complementary Care SAR and summary

·        Benefits Counseling summary

·        Legal Services summary

·        Service provider information regarding Benefits Counseling, Legal Services and Complementary Care

·        Title I update outline

·        Third quarter spending report for Titles I and II

·        Title II report

·        Written committee reports (summaries)

·        Task Force restructuring update

·        Meeting evaluation

 

MOTION:   Randy moved David B. seconded adjournment of the meeting.  Passed unanimously.

 

Adjourned at 12:00 noon