MN HIV Services Planning Council
Meeting Minutes for September 14, 2004
Minnehaha Falls Park Pavilion

 

 

I.                  Welcome and introductions; lighting of the candle

Sarah called the meeting to order at 9:45.  Introductions were made.  Aaron Keith lit the candle as Sarah leaves her term and he begins his thinking about all of the work we do and the input that all will be giving him through the course of the year.

 

II.             DHS Commissioner Loren Colman and Hennepin County Commissioner Dorfman

Commissioner Colman thanked the Planning Council for the invitation to be here today.  He has the privilege of honoring the co-chairs for their hard work over the last couple of years during these challenging times.  He wished the best of luck to the incoming leadership.

 

Commissioner Dorfman congratulating both Sarah and Paul for their first class leadership over the last couple of years.  Thankfully HIV/AIDS has changed dramatically over the last ten years.  As the mother of a gay teen she’s particularly interested in the prevention work being done.  When looking at the Planning Council model for how resources are allocated it is really an excellent model to consider.  Looking at the continuum of services from prevention through the various stages of the disease Planning Council members are all very capable to handle the difficult decision making involved.  Many challenges face you as we move forward.  Thank you for tackling these very difficult issues and being on the front line of the work.  An encouraging response that she sees is that the Hennepin County board tends to approve the Ryan White funding easily now, as it has become better known.

 

Paul then presented the committee co-chairs with certificates and gifts of appreciation.  Sarah then presented special awards of recognition to selected members.

 

A group of consumers staged a silent protest to show that they were very disappointed with the 100% cutting of food shelf funding. 

 

III.   Title I update

Jonathan handed out the first quarter spending report and shared that we’re pretty much on target for spending this year.  He also reported that the official guidance for the application has arrived.  The due date for the application is November 10^th, which is the latest it’s ever been.  Currently there is a HRSA hold on all carryover requests.  All of the contracts that would have been executed for carryover have been put on hold.  Jonathan then handed out a proposal for reallocation from emergency housing assistance (EHA) to emergency financial assistance (EFA).  Due to the increased need in emergency financial assistance (EFA) he is proposing shifting funds from EHA.  Both funds are in need of funding but currently housing has some other funds available.  Jonathan reported that the hope is that those funds will be put back into each program area when and if the carryover proposal is approved by HRSA.  Colleen provided some additional clarification information about current housing funding availability.

 

MOTION:  Dan moved Jim seconded approval of the proposal to reallocate funds from emergency housing assistance (EHA) to emergency financial assistance.  Passed with one abstention (Jenkins).

 

IV.     Title II and ADAP update

Dave shared that they are working on their next forecast for ADAP to anticipate current shortfalls.  They are looking to see if there are funds available to redirect into the program to cover things such as staff salaries so that more funds can be put into ADAP.  They are actively involved in Medicare Part D changes that are coming up –at DHS many departments are working collectively on this goal because the changes are very complicated. 

 

V.                 Reappointment approval

LeMonte handed a reappointment ballot for members who wish to continue on the Planning Council for another two-year term to be approved at today’s meeting.  All members were reappointed unanimously.

 

The business part of the meeting concluded and the participants moved on to enjoy the barbecued lunch.

 

Documents distributed at or before the meeting:

·        Agenda

·        Title I Update

·        Reallocations proposal

·        Letter from Food Shelf using members of the HIV Community

·        Proposal to reallocate funds from EHA to EFA

·        First quarter spending report

 

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

 

Adjourned at 11:59 am