MN HIV Services Planning Council
Meeting Minutes for March 9, 2004
Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

 

I.          Welcome and introductions; lighting of the candle

Paul called the meeting to order at 9:15.  Introductions were made.  Norm lit the candle with a reminder that HIV/AIDS is still taking a lot of lives and asked folks to think about that while doing their work.

 

II.          Review the minutes and proposed agenda

The minutes were approved by unanimous consent.  The proposed agenda stands.

 

III.   Co-chair update

Paul announced that the Planning Council is saying good-bye to two members today. This is Linda Brandt and Norm Wylie’s last Planning Council meeting.  Paul expressed thanks for their hard work and encouraged them to both continue to be involved with Planning Council activities.

 

Paul also announced that there is a new collalition that has been formed for people of color.  LeMonte shared that the group is beginning to organize.  Currently they have identified a three-month rotation of officers – Debra is the co-chair, Gwen is the secretary and LeMonte is the spokesperson.  The group is requesting that all inquiries are made via email – the address that has been established is mnpcmec@hotmail.com.

 

Paul reminded members that the Planning Council is continuing with the prioritization process and asked members to continue compiling the information needed to make those decisions.

 

IV.             Information and Referral and Outreach Provider presentations

A.                Brief data presentation on information and referral

Aaron Keith gave a brief overview of the information and referral and outreach service areas planning documents.  Eric then reviewed the Service Area Reviews (SARs).  There is fairly limited data available for information and referral.

 

B.                 Information and referral presentation

Lauri Wollner from MAP gave the presentation about the information and referral service area, which consists primarily of the AIDSLine, resource guide and quick connect services.  There were over 5,000 contacts this past year. 

 

 

 

C.                 Outreach Service Area presentation

Ray Eden Frank from Access Works gave the presentation about outreach activities provided by the five agencies currently contracted.  Each agency has a different population focus that they generally work with.  The goal of outreach is to reach folks who are unaware of their status and/or to help those who are out of care get back in to primary health care.  Agencies are also able to help folks get access to other services as well.

 

D.                Discussion

Aaron Keith then fielded members’ questions.

 

V.                 Mental Health and Substance Use Services Provider presentations

A.                Brief data presentation on mental health services

Aaron Keith gave a brief overview of the planning documents for the mental health service area.  Eric then reviewed information from the service area review (SAR).

 

B.                 Brief data presentation on substance use services

Aaron Keith then reviewed information about substance use services and Eric reviewed the limited data that is available.

 

C.                 Substance Use services provider presentation

Cathy Strobel from MAP gave an overview of the services provided.  Roger Moore is the staff person working on this program. 

 

D.                Mental Health provider presentation

Dr. Rosemary Munch from the Program in Human Sexuality gave an overview of mental health services.

 

E.                 Discussion

Aaron Keith then fielded members’ questions. 

 

VI.             Title I update – Jonathan Hanft

Jonathan handed out an update and year 9’s application budget.  He announced that HRSA issued a press release last Monday.  Title I has not received the official award but the press release stated the EMA will have a 5% reduction.  There are three parts of the award – the base formula allocation for those living w HIV/AIDS was reduced by 3%; supplemental funding was reduced by 8% and minority AIDS initiative (MAI) funds were increased by 5%.  He then reviewed the budget that the Planning Council approved for the application that was based on flat funding.  Now that Title I has a definite grant the budget allocations will have to be reviewed and altered again. 

 

Jonathan also shared the upcoming training schedule – the staffing series has been postponed, Michelle will notify folks when it’s rescheduled.

 

VII.        Title II update – Dave Rompa

Dave passed out the Title II report.  The case management RFP has not gone out yet but will be out soon.  Technical assistance will be available to agencies interested in applying.

 

The ORR grant went out, if awarded, the funding will begin on June 1.  This is an effort to continue the work that’s begun already but will be adding new communities.

 

Amy handed out information on the access to care study being conducted by DHS.  Services that will be included in the study are case management, care advocacy, outreach and information and referral.  One aspect of the study will be to see if the system is using services wisely or if there may be a better way to provide services.  The study is being funded by ADAP rebate money approved in the past.

 

The Heroes 2004 conference is scheduled for March 29^th.  Registration slots are almost full for consumers.  Providers are invited to attend for a $40 registration fee.  Caregivers can attend for a $35 registration fee.  Call the program line and ask for Patrick if there are any questions.

 

Dave reported that DHS is also expecting a reduction in the Title II base allocation.  ADAP is expecting a $50,000 to $60,000 increase at best.  Amy then reported that DHS is collaborating with a group to submit a grant to HRSA for integrated health care blending private medical, community-based social service and government providers.  This is a one-year grant but supplemental funding is available for an additional two years so a three-year plan will be developed.

 

Dave also handed out contact numbers for DHS program staff and an update of the CTK system update.  Training for CTK will begin in April and will be available to Planning Council members as well.

 

Dave then handed out program information on ADAP.  The governor has included $2.1 billion for ADAP in his budget request – this would be for one year only.  If the funding is passed, state money will be used to purchase more insurance and a larger percentage of ADAP money will be used for drugs.  He further reported that folks may be hearing complaints from consumers – in the past eligibility requirements have somewhat loose but in this time of budget crunches those requirements will be closely adhered to (i.e., some may be eligible for MA but have avoided going through their county’s system).  Dave encouraged members to continue lobbying efforts at both the state and federal level. 

 

VIII.    Committee written reports, three action items, time for questions, discussion

·        Planning and Priorities Committee

Action item: Approval of proposed prioritization process

Members reviewed the proposed process for prioritization that Planning & Priorities has developed.  Aaron Keith asked if members had any questions, which were answered.  Members were encouraged to attend Planning & Priorities Committee meetings to provide additional feedback or to participate in the processes. MOTION The revised prioritization process was approved.  Norm registered an objection to voting on a process like prioritization when members haven’t had ample time for discussion. 

 

·        HIV Positive Committee

Committee role /planned process update

Randy shared that the HIV Positive Committee is currently talking to HRSA about getting technical assistance.  The committee is currently developing goals for the committee and technical assistance will help facilitate making that committee a stronger voice.

 

·        Operations Committee

Action item: Approval of addition to the Attendance Policy

LeMonte provided clarification of the addition proposed for the attendance policy.  The Operations Committee hoped to provide additional information about which meetings will qualify for earning extra points and how attendance will be tracked.  It was agreed to take the specific listing of committees out of the policy.  The currently underlined addition will be modified to say, “a list of approved Planning Council sponsored public meetings will be maintained by the Operations Committee.  The key criteria of these meetings are that they do the work of the Planning Council and/or it’s committees.”  MOTION:  LeMonte moved Gary seconded approval of the revised attendance policy.  Passed with one abstention (Wylie).

 

Action item: Approve election/reappointment slate

LeMonte passed out the ballots for reappointment.  While those ballots were being tallied LeMonte passed out ballots for appointment.  Ballot results – welcome to Roger Ernst and Neri Diaz, new Planning Council members.  All four reappointments were approved.

 

IX.     CSAD update

Jonathan reported that training was conducted last week for the CSAD field team.  Overall, it was very successful but intense.  The project is transitioning to the coordinators and the community.  The advisory committee continues to meet – the project team is encouraging more participation from Needs Assessment Committee members.  The team is also requesting Planning Council members help with recruiting African born individuals who can be interviewed.  For more information please contact Joan Othieno.

 

X.          Announcements, next agenda, meeting evaluation

Mary Doyle announced a consumer forum being held at the Aliveness Project on March 31^st from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Julie shared information about more budget cuts at MDH.

 

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

 

Adjourned at 12:00 noon