Following are the documents for the 2006-2007 HOPWA RFA.
Download file PDF - Cover Letter

Download file Word document - RFA

Download file Excel document - New detailed expenditure report (FSR), Exhibit A in the RFA

Click "continue reading..." to read the cover letter

MEMORANDUM
TO: HOPWA Subcontractors
FROM: Crystal Crowell, Program Manager

Current HOPWA subcontractors are requested to complete and submit the enclosed Renewal Application for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), beginning February 1, 2006 and ending January 31, 2007. This document contains all directions and forms to apply for funding. Electronic forms for completion of this renewal application for funding may be found on the BVCOG HIV Administrative Services website at http://hiv.bvcog.org under the link to contractors.

Please submit your application for a 12-month contract term based on the allocations shown on page 2 of the RFA. Use only the forms contained in this renewal application packet. If you have questions concerning the Renewal Application process or your amount of funding, please contact Crystal Crowell at ccrowell@bvcog.org.

Please note that there are significant changes in the HOPWA Program effective February 1, 2006. These are described in the introduction section. Also note that the term "Project Sponsor" used throughout the RFA is referring to the HOPWA Service Provider (subcontractor).

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON DECEMBER 15, 2005.

The Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) reserves the right to negotiate any terms and conditions including budget amounts and allocations. Any contract renewal is contingent upon the continued availability of funding to BVCOG. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this renewal application, please contact me at (979) 595-2801, x2224.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 04:29 PM | Permalink

The Needs Assessment Committee met via conference call to discuss timelines for conducting a new needs assessment, use of the Austin Title I assessment, and tools to use for the assessment.

Members Present:Rita Castro (Chair), Sissy Riffin, Janet Cates, Leatrice Bines, Tony Matcek, Bobby Holtman

BVCOG Staff Present: Christopher Hamilton, Crystal Crowell

The meeting came to order at 1:35 p.m.

A proposition was posed to the committee that since the Austin Title I council just finished their needs assessment and included the five other counties (assessment covered entire HSDA) the committee could use the same survey and thus use the data from Austin, saving time and expense for the needs assessment for the Central Texas Planning Area.

The committee then discussed how many people to survey in each of the areas. Mr. Hamilton offered numbers based on total PLWHA in order to reach statistical significance. The committee suggested using the current client count in an HSDA rather than total PLWHA. It was then suggested that the committee look at the budget and what can be afforded in terms of incentives for participation as well as other expenses in conducting the assessment before deciding how many to survey in each area.

Ms. Crowell suggested that the bulk of work and expense be completed in this grant year (ending March 31, 2006) in order to maximize use of available funds.

Ms Castro noted that the entire process might take approximately four months to complete. If starting in January, the bulk of expense and work would be completed within the grant year.

The committee agreed to use the survey used by Austin Title I so their data may be used. They used the most recent version of the SCSN developed assessment tool. Mr. Hamilton will provide to the committee a proposed budget for incentives at various levels to see how many people can be surveyed. The committee agreed on January as a goal for starting the assessment process.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:06 p.m.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 03:23 PM | Permalink

Electronic files for the previously released DSHS Case Management and Ambulatory Outpatient Care reporting guidelines are linked below.

Case Management reporting

AOMC reporting

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 11:43 AM | Permalink

Linked below are ARIES resource documents on using the Crosstab Wizard , certificate installation, and ARIES basics. Feedback is always welcome on documents produced to assist users, so feel free to let me know if any of it is confusing or missing important information.

Also, by popular demand and the prevailing of common sense, the sexual orientation permissions in ARIES are being restored! It has already been changed at some agencies and the rest will be changed tomorrow. We will not, however, be changing the share status permissions -- so users will need to go to their agency administrator with the signed consent form to change a client's share status.

Crosstab Examples

ARIES Basics

Certificate Installation

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 11:31 AM | Permalink

The revised BVCOG Data Management Policies are available through the links below. Changes have been made to nearly every section, so be sure to read each carefully. The final section outlines policies that must be established at the agency level. Please distribute the policies to all agency ARIES users.

Data Management Policies

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 05:17 PM | Permalink

The Central Texas HIV Planning Council will meet November 15 at 10 a.m. at the David Powell Clinic, located at 4614 North I 35, Austin, TX 78751. Phone: 512-972-4900. Google Map.

The packet of information distributed at the meeting Download file - PDF 1.6 MB

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Below are links to resources about the Medicare Rx / Part D prescription drug program.
° HRSA and how part D pertains to HIV and Ryan White

° HIV Medicine Association PDF file - an enrollment toolkit specifically for HIV/AIDS

° Official web site for people with Medicare from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

° Download file PDF FAQ Sheet from the Texas Department of State Health Services

° Link to the Texas HIV Medication Program home page. They will have updates regarding MCR part D.

° DSHS - THMP presentation on Medicare Part D - by THMP Manager Dwayne Haught Download file PDF

° DSHS - Medicare Part D manual and FAQ

° HRSA CARE Action Newsletter from October 2005 includes some good information regarding the program, visit http://hab.hrsa.gov/publications/october2005/

° Some patients have experienced problems in obtaining medications at the pharmacy due to computer problems. A list of "what-if" scenarios has been compiled. The PDF can be downloaded here.

° The Treatment Access Expansion Project has provided a list of resources for HIV and Medicare Part D.

° Texas Medicare Rx - a web site specifically for Texas residents and Medicare Part D issues.

° Texas HHSC press release announcing the decision for the Texas Medicaid to continue to fill prescriptions for dual eligibles that are having trouble filling perscriptions under their new Part D plan.

° A Word document that has many links to Medicare websites and publications Download file

° Case Manager Talking Points from NASTAD

° Case manager training and presentations on February 13, 2006

° 03.22.06 The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services are adding 1.2 Million additional people automatically to the prescription drug program, Part D. Read the CMS Announcement

° 04.26.06 CMS issues policy to protect beneficiaries from changes to a drug plan formulary. A drug plan could change its forumlary with 60 days notice to a beneficiary, but the person would be stuck with the plan until the next open enrollment period. The policy now says "No beneficiaries will be subject to a discontinuation or reduction in coverage of the drugs they are currently using." It says an insurer can remove a drug from its formulary, increase copayments for a drug or impose new coverage restrictions "only if enrollees currently taking the affected drug are exempt from the formulary change for the remainder of the plan year."
See the articles at Kaiser Family Foundation or NY Times

° 05.31.06 This is an update from DHHS-CMS. The key messages:
   ° If you serve Medicare patients, you need to obtain a National Provider Identifier;
   ° For FQHCs and RHCs that serve Medicare patients where Medicare Advantage (managed care) plans are available to patients in your area, there are steps you must take to continue receiving reimbursement for serving them;
   ° If you offer pharmacy services to Medicare patients, you need to sign contracts with Medicare Part D plans to obtain reimbursement;
   ° If you offer pharmacy services, you can save up to 77% on drug and supply costs by signing up with 340B and the Prime Vendor.
Download file PDF

° 06.12.06 The HIV Medication Association (HIVMA) published their last newsletter with an article about exceptions and appeals for Medicare Part D. Download file PDF - this is the page taken from the Spring 2006 HIVMA newsletter. It has some very good information about the appeals and exceptions process.

° 08.03.06 The Kaiser Family Foundation Published a new report: The Role of Part D for People With HIV/AIDS: Coverage and Cost of Antiretrovirals Under Medicare Drug Plans. Visit the web site to download a free PDF of the report.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 10:37 AM | Permalink

The Executive Committee met on November 9, 2005 via conference call to discuss the agenda for the August Council meeting and the issue of whether the Council should vote on all matters or use the consensus method for all matters.

Committee members present: Samuel Guerrero (Chair), Robert Luckey, Eric Todd, Rita Castro

BVCOG staff present: Crystal Crowell, Christopher Hamilton

Mr. Guerrero called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.

The committee reviewed the draft agenda. Ms. Harris who was not present for the call emailed her comments before. She suggested that the public participation portion of the agenda move towards the end so that visitors may comment on the entire meeting. The committee questioned the purpose of the public participation portion; is it for comment about the agenda, or matters to be discussed, etc. The Executive Committee decided to keep the public participation section in its usual place at the beginning until receiving further clarification about the purpose of the section. Ms. Crowell and Mr. Hamilton will seek clarification regarding the matter.

Mr. Todd noted that he will not be able to attend the Planning Council meeting and requested that Mr. Hamilton give the committee report for the Allocations Committee during the Council meeting.

The committee then turned its attention to the issue of consensus. Since the last Planning Council meeting, some members spoke with Mr. Hamilton regarding the voting process. The issue developed out of the process of using ballots and voting for new members. Some council members commented that the council should be using consensus for all matters. The Executive Committee decided at its June 7 meeting to use secret ballots for voting for new members to protect the anonymity of candidates as well as the vote of the council member in case the candidates were in attendance.

Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Crowell stated alternative methods; the council could change its bylaws so that all questions or actions before the council are voted on with either simple majority or two-thirds majority votes, they could continue using consensus and vote on issues that are deadlocked in discussion.

Dr. Luckey suggested the Bylaws Committee examine the issue and make recommendations on specific actions that require votes and those that will still operate under consensus.

Mr. Guerrero restated the question to the committee, what is the specific issue at hand? He asked for suggestions from committee members on how the council should operate. It was suggested that the question be posed to the Planning Council, with Mr. Hamilton presenting the issue to the council.

It was noted that what should happen is that consensus should be defined, to determine what consensus is in the context of the Planning Council. Mr. Guerrero proposed that an ad-hoc committee be formed to study various voting methods and consensus issues and report back to the council with a recommendation. The committee agreed. Mr. Guerrero will have Dennis Nelson chair the ad-hoc committee and will ask council members directly to join the committee. The topic will be discussed in the Executive Committee report to the Planning Council at its next meeting.

The Executive Committee reviewed the remaining parts of the agenda and approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 09:21 PM | Permalink

The Allocation Committee (AC) met via conference call on November 9, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the cuts to the Ryan White allocations in the Austin and Concho Plateau HSDAs, as well as what categories to add the increases for the remaining HSDAs.

Download the following file for the revised allocated amounts. - Summary of allocations

Download file - Full allocations request including justifications

CTHPCA Members present: Eric Todd - Chair, Marla Madison, Janet Cates, Sissy Riffin, Cynthia Juniper, Rita Castro, David Cooper

BVCOG staff present: Christopher Hamilton

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Todd asked if everyone had a chance to review the information sent by Mr. Hamilton. Everyone has reviewed the materials. Prior to the meeting, Mr. Hamilton sent the committee some recommendations for areas to cut to meet the reduced funding levels in the Austin and Concho Plateau HSDAs.

Ms. Juniper commented that the Title I request for mental health has gone up considerably, and that most of the clients in the rural area were accessing mental health services in the EMA. She also stated that for those clients outside of the EMA, there are other funds available to meet the mental health services needs. She recommended that the $5,000 originally allocated to mental health be moved to health insurance. The committee discussed the proposal and all agreed to move the funds from mental health to health insurance. The committee also agreed to the proposed cuts sent by Mr. Hamilton.

The committee then discussed the proposed cuts to the Concho Plateau. All members agreed with the proposal.

After examining the cuts, the Bryan-College Station, Temple-Killeen, and Waco HSDAs had increases in Ryan White funding. For the Bryan HSDA, Mr. Todd commented that ambulatory care would probably see an increase. The threshold information was brought up and since it was not originally allocated at the threshold, the committee decided to add the $3,636 extra to ambulatory/outpatient medical care. For the Temple HSDA, Ms. Cates suggested the extra $419 be placed in case management to offset some of the increases in staff costs. The committee agreed. For the Waco HSDA, Ms. Riffin suggested that the extra $5,641 be used in some of the other categories such as food bank or transportation. After reviewing the thresholds and the original allocations, the committee decided to place half the amount in food bank ($2,820) and half in transportation ($2,821)

The committee adjourned at 9:17 a.m.

Download the following file for the revised allocated amounts.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 10:26 AM | Permalink

The Membership Committee will not meet on its regularly scheduled day, November 21, unless there is an urgent matter to be address by the committee. The next meeting for the committee is scheduled for December 19 at 1 p.m. via conference call.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 08:35 PM | Permalink

The Membership Committee met on November 8, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. to review a candidate application from someone in the Austin HSDA.

Members Present: Christine Harris*, David Cooper, Samuel Guerrero, Chris Benfer, Marla Madison

BVCOG Staff: Christopher Hamilton

The meeting came to order at 2:04 p.m.

All committee members present for the call reviewed the summary of the applicant.

A question was raised about how many council members there are at present from the Austin HSDA, how many council members there are total, and how many total are allowed according to the bylaws. At present, there are four members from Austin, 17 on the Council, and the bylaws allow for 25 voting members.

Dennis Nelson, not able to attend the call, emailed his comments ahead of time, suggesting that if need be, he would relinquish his seat so that a 'consumer' could join. The committee discussed the idea and came to the conclusion that this candidate could be added without Mr. Nelson having to resign.

There was consensus among the committee that this candidate could add a lot to the Council, and that this would not be over-representation from the Austin HSDA.

The committee will recommend this applicant for approval at the next Planning Council meeting on November 15.

Lastly, the committee discussed if they need to meet on its regularly scheduled date of November 21. The group decided that since there is no pressing business, the meeting would be cancelled unless there is an issue that comes up. The committee will still meet on December 19.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

Posted by BVCOG-HIV at 04:50 PM | Permalink