Nebraska HIV CARE &

Prevention Consortium (NHCPC)

Orientation Guide  

Individually we are special but together we are

spectacular !

THANK YOU

For joining us as we strive toreduce the number of new cases of

HIV within Nebraska and to improve

the quality of life for those who are HIV +.

History of the NHCPC

1) In 1993, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) mandated the implementation of the community planning process for HIV prevention.

2) February 1994 – a forum was held which created six regional planning groups and one statewide planning group.

3) Fall 1995 – the first meeting of the statewide planning group occurred.

4) January 1996 – the HIV Community Planning Coordinator position was developed.

 

5) 1998 – the Ryan White Title II Consortia groups and the six regional planning groups formally merged at the community level. The union of these organizations provides focused decision-making essential to comprehensive planning.

6) March 2000 – the first official meeting of the NHCPC was held which consisted of reviewing the NHCPC Mission and Purpose, objectives, community structures and administrative issues.

History of the NHCPC

The mission of the NHCPC is to develop a comprehensive HIV CARE and Prevention

Plan for the State of Nebraska by identifying specific strategies and interventions that are responsive to validated needs within defined

target populations affected by HIV.

Mission of the NHCPC

The purpose of the NHCPC is to act in an advisory capacity to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services HIV Prevention

Program and the Direct Care Services Programs (Ryan White and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS

[HOPWA]).

Purpose of the NHCPC

Responsibilities of the NHCPC

1. To assess the extent of the HIV epidemic

2. To assess existing HIV prevention resources

3. To identify unmet HIV prevention and care needs

4. To define the potential impact of specific HIV prevention strategies

Responsibilities of the NHCPC (cont.)

5. To prioritize HIV prevention and care needs, develop a locally specific HIV prevention and care plan, and evaluate the planning process

6. To ensure parity, inclusion, and representation reflective of the HIV epidemic

7. To review the yearly HIV Prevention application to the CDC and give concurrence, partial concurrence or non-concurrence 

Five Core Objectives

1.  Foster openness and participation in the community planning

process.

2.   Ensure that target populations reflect the diversity of the epidemic and that expertise in epidemiology, evaluation,

health planning, and social/behavioral science is included in the planning process.

3.    Ensure that priority HIV populations are determined based on epidemiological data and needs assessments. 

Five Core Objectives

(cont.)

4.     Ensure that interventions are based on explicit consideration of

priority needs, outcome effectiveness, cost and cost effectiveness, theory, and community norms and

values.

5.     Foster strong, logical links between the community planning

process, the application for funding and the allocation of CDC

HIV prevention resources. 

NHCPC Membership Composition

1. Must be geographically balanced and reflect the diversity of the HIV epidemic. Recruitment of members is guided by the principles of parity, inclusiveness, and representation, as established by the CDC.

2. The maximum number of members will be 38.

1. Two types of members: A. Standing members

- appointed by the HIV Program Administrator and aredesignated per requirements of the CDC and HRSA. Theyrepresent related state agencies and others recommendedto serve in order to balance CDC requirements.

NHCPC Membership Composition (cont.)

B. Elected members - represent related functional areas, persons

directly impacted by the epidemic, and geographic

areas - Nebraska has six independent community

planning regions that elect a representative to the

NHCPC

Nebraska HIV CARE and Prevention Consortium

State Part B Coordinator

State HIV Program Administrator

Part C Coordinator Part C Coordinator

Direct Provider for STDs

Division of Adolescent and School Health (Nebraska Dept of Education)

Medicaid Issues

Behavioral Health

Epidemiologist

AIDS Drug Assistance Program

State Corrections

Prevention SubgranteeHHS funded

HIV Case ManagementHHS funded

Minority Community Based Organization

Minority - HIVImpacted

MSM - Urban (+ or -)

MSM - Rural (+ or -)

MSM - Minority/Person of Color

Injecting Drug User

Red Ribbon Community

Person Living withHIV or AIDS

Person Living withHIV or AIDS

Western Region

Southwest Region

Central Region

Southeast Region

REGIONALLY ELECTED

APPOINTED

ELECTED ELECTED

State Co-Chair

Northern Region

CTR/PCRSHHS funded

(Counseling/Testing)

City/County/DistrictHealth Dept

Eastern Region

Behavioral Health

Woman - HIV Impacted

Mental Health/Substance Abuse

Provider

EX-OFFICIO

Minority Faith-Based

Business

Native American/American Indian

NHCPC Code of Conduct

All members abide by the NHCPC Code of Conduct. Any member in violation of the Code of Conduct may be removed by majority vote.

  1. Commit to regular meeting attendance and active participation.

2. Actions/comments should be in the best interest of the group.

3. Put aside personal agendas.

4. Separate agency/organizational goals and needs from those ofthe NHCPC.

5. Share all pertinent feedback, positive and negative, within theNHCPC.

6. Discuss/resolve concerns during meetings.

  

NHCPC Code of Conduct

7. Be positive about the NHCPC, its mission, and purpose.

8. Exercise discretion to maintain the NHCPC’s integrity.

9. Acknowledge and respect all variant views.

10. Respect each other’s differences, knowledge, experiences, and

frames of reference.

11. Comments should be made in a respectful manner and in a

reasonable time frame.

Confidentiality• Information discussed and provided, whether

written or oral, is for the purpose of accomplishing the missions and objectives of the advisory group.

• Disclosures or discussions which place a member at possible risk of harm to person or reputation shall be kept confidential and restricted to the business

of the NHCPC.

• NHCPC meetings adhere to Nebraska statutes, policies, and procedures concerning Open Meeting Laws.

Nebraska Open Meetings Act(as exists on July 14, 2006)

84-1407. Act, how cited. Sections 84-1407 to 84-1414 shall be known and may be citedas the Open Meetings Act.Source: Laws 2004, LB 821, § 34.84-1408. Declaration of intent; meetings open to public. It is hereby declared to be thepolicy of this state that the formation of public policy is public business and may not beconducted in secret.Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the public in order that citizensmay exercise their democratic privilege of attending and speaking at meetings of publicbodies, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of Nebraska, federal statutes,and the Open Meetings Act.Source: Laws 1975, LB 325, § 1; Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1071; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 35.84-1409. Terms, defined. For ……………

NHCPC Member Job Description Role

As a member of the NHCPC it is your role to:1. Make a commitment to its mission, process, and

results.2. Participate in all decisions and problem solving.3. Undertake special tasks, as requested by the NHCPC. 4. Gather data and information

as needed.5. Educate others about the

community planning process.6. Serve on a standing committee

Membership Terms

• Elected members serve for a term of three years. Elected members may not serve for more than two consecutive terms.

• Standing/appointed members serve at the discretion

of the HIV Program Administrator.

• Some committee members are members of a specific sub-committee only, not a voting NHCPC member and are considered a public member/visitor during the NHCPC meeting.

Standing Committees

• The NHCPC has established seven standing committees.– Assessment and Evaluation– CARE Services– Co-Infection– Interventions– Membership– Public Information– Executive

• Each member of the NHCPC must serve on a standing committee.

• During your orientation class you will be appointed to one of the standing committees.

• The majority of work activities and outcomes are done in standing committees. Rarely is there a need for a standing committee to meet between regular meetings.

• Standing committee members may be recruited from outside of the group (non-NHCPC members).

• All standing committee members must abide by the NHCPC Bylaws and Operational Guidelines.

Standing Committees

Estimated Time Requirement for Members

• Four quarterly meetings per year lasting eight hours each.

• Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday in the months of January, April, July, and October. One meeting per year, April or July, will include a workshop day making it a two day meeting.

• Rare homework assignments.

• The standing committee chairperson may require additional hours of commitment.

Attendance Policy

• Members are expected to attend all meetings for the full eight hours unless excused by one of the Co-Chairs.

• Absences will be considered either excused or unexcused at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.

• A member who has three absences within the preceding 12 month period, whether excused or unexcused, will be considered non-participating and be replaced.

• A member who has two unexcused absences within the preceding 12 month period will be considered non-participating and be replaced.

Expenses

• Reimbursement of expenses for NHCPC members, voting and standing committee members, are provided per the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Department of Administrative Services Administrative policy, pursuant to Section 81-118L.01.

• Covered expenses include: mileage at the state reimbursement rate, lodging, parking expenses and meals at per diem rate.

• Expenses will be submitted on an Expense Reimbursement Document following each meeting.

• Reimbursement occurs after the NHCPC meeting has been held.

Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest is defined as:A conflict between one’s obligation to the public good and one’s self interest, whether that interest be a personal interest, or interest of family, friend or work related.

All NHCPC members sign a Conflict of Interest form annually.

This form lists organizations with whom members are affiliated

and helps to maintain the reputation and credibility of the NHCPC

in making fair, objective, and impartial decisions.

Lobbying

• The NHCPC is funded by the Nebraska DHHS HIV Prevention and Ryan White Programs who receive their financial support through cooperative agreements with the CDC and HRSA.

• The NHCPC’s members, committees and all activities must follow restrictions determined by federal guidelines. These restrictions prohibit the NHCPC from using appropriated Federal funds directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or instruct participants how to lobby.

NHCPC Meetings

• NHCPC meetings abide by Open Meeting rules and are therefore open to the public.

• New Member Orientation Class is held from 8:00 am – 8:30 am.

• Standing committee meetings are held from 8:30 am – 10:30 am.

• The general NHCPC meeting time is 10:30 am – 5:00 pm.

• Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of January, April, July and October, in Lincoln.

• The meeting agenda will be e-mailed to members at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.

• All meetings follow the guidelines set forth in Robert's Rules of Order.

NHCPC Meetings

Direct Care Services & HIV

Prevention Program • The NHCPC has advisory responsibilities for both the

Direct Care Services and the HIV Prevention Programs in Nebraska.

• Direct Care Services consists of the Ryan White Program and HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS).

• The HIV Prevention Program consists of:1. Health education and risk reduction2. Counseling, testing and referral3. Sub grant management & special projects4. Public information & education5. Assessment & evaluation6. Community planning

Ryan White Programs

Part B & C• The Ryan White CARE Act is a federally funded

program which provides direct care and support services to persons living with HIV/AIDS.

• In Nebraska, the Ryan White Program consists of Part B and Part C Services.

• The NHCPC serves as an advisory body to the Ryan

White Part B Services only. • Part C Services are provided by non-profit

organizations.

Ryan White Part B

Part B Services include:

• Comprehensive Case Management Services provide access to Ryan White funded services and assistance in accessing other eligible services for qualified clients.

• AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides pharmaceutical treatment to persons with HIV/AIDS.

• Direct Emergency Assistance provides support services such as housing, utilities, transportation, food, and insurance premium payment assistance.

Ryan White Part C is considered a payor of last resort andprovides early intervention services (EIS) to individuals who

are HIV+ and live in Nebraska.

Currently, there are two Part C programs in Nebraska:– University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) EIS

program– Chadron Community Hospital EIS program

Each program also provides services through contracts withphysicians, dentists, and mental health/substance abuse

providersacross the state .

Ryan White Part C

Ryan White Part C

Part C Services include:

• Primary medical care (outpatient visits and lab)

• Ophthalmology

• Outpatient mental health services

• Outpatient substance abuse services

• Oral health care

• Nutritional consultation

• Pap smear

• Annual TB skin testing

• Translation services

HOPWA Housing Opportunities for

Persons with AIDS• HOPWA is a housing program administered by the US

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for person’s living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

• HOPWA’s purpose is to provide resources and incentives to devise long-term comprehensive strategies for meeting the housing needs of person’s living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

• The goal of HOPWA is to prevent homelessness and to support independent living of persons with HIV/AIDS.

HIV Prevention Program • The Nebraska DHHS HIV Prevention Program works in

partnership with the NHCPC to design local prevention plans that best represent the needs of the various populations at risk for, or infected with, HIV.

• The current HIV state plan, Nebraska Comprehensive HIV Plan 2009-2013, is available on the NHCPC website:

www.dhhs.ne.gov/dpc/nhcpc.htm

• NHCPC members also review the yearly HIV Prevention CDC grant application and providea letter of concurrence, concurrence with reservations or non-concurrence to the application. This letter describes to what degree the grant application agrees or disagrees with priorities set forth in the HIV Comprehensive plan.

• You will receive a letter from the State Co-chair with orientation class information.

• Attend New Member Orientation Class prior to your first official meeting.

• Mentor will be assigned to you to help assist you through your first NHCPC meetings.

Next Step

Congratulations!

Congratulations! You have just completed the first step to becoming an official member of the Nebraska HIV Care and Prevention Consortia. We hope that your experience with the NHCPC will be an enjoyable one. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.

The Membership Committee