Members Present: Chris Benfer (Chair), Janet Cates, Sissy Riffin

BVCOG Staff Present: Christopher Hamilton

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m. A quorum was not present.

There was discussion that the committee should wait on performing the needs assessment until the new Planning Council Chair has made committee chair assignments.

Mr. Hamilton proposed that BVCOG mail the survey to providers identified in each HSDA while Needs Assessment Committee members follow up with each of those the survey was mailed to.

The question was asked if, for example in San Angelo, they should go over the 211 directory and find whom they refer to.

The committee discussed how the resource inventory relates to the needs assessment and finding unmet need. The resource inventory and provider profile will be used in a gap analysis, comparing the unmet need to what services are available.

The idea is to survey providers that are referred to by BVCOG subcontractors to determine if there is any duplication of services. This is sort of used like the allocations process where justifying why a category would not be funded - because another agency or provider is already providing that service through non-Ryan White or State Services funds.

The idea was proposed that this survey should be conducted concurrently or after the needs assessment. The committee should determine unmet need first, and then a resource inventory will help identify and match the needs to what is being provided. A suggestion was made that those providers that are referred to currently be surveyed, then a needs assessment conducted, then a larger survey to find other resources available.

The question was asked if the committee had to use the SCSN survey in the process. According to DSHS, the SCSN survey must be used for the needs assessment. It was suggested that the committee review the survey and the optional questions, to customize the survey as much as possible. It was noted that the survey has been revamped since it was last done.

Mr. Hamilton will email the committee with the most up-to-date SCSN survey as well as a vote among committee members on an order to proceed in (survey referred to providers, conduct needs assessment, survey larger pool of providers) or solicit recommendations on a different order.

The next meeting will be Monday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:21 p.m.