Committee Members Present: Wade Flores, Darnell Durio, Robert Oropeza, Aimee
Barnes
Committee Members Absent: Devin Anderson
Other Council Members Present: Dorothy Kleffner; Joaquin Sanchez; Raymond Banks;
Micke Ulate; Heriberto Quesada
Others Present: [Several Staff members from TARC]
Council Support Present: Richard Bargetto; Susan Latham; Enrique Asis; Gilda
Mansour; Skot Jonz;
General Public: approximately 16
1. Greeting & Refreshments
CM Flores greeted the public in attendance and directed everyone to enjoy pizza and sodas.
2. Welcome & Introductions
CM Durio welcomed everyone.
3. Explanation of the HIV Health Services Planning Council
CM Durio provided a short explanation of the reasons the Council exists
and what we do.
4. Explanation of Advocacy Project
Richard Bargetto discussed briefly the Consumer Advocacy Project and
invited anyone to call him with any problems or concerns with an agency.
He distributed
his business card and Advocacy Project brochures to those present.
5. Open Discussion
CM Kleffner opened the meeting to discussion on what those present like
or don’t like about CARE-funded HIV services, changes in services and client
needs, particularly those of the Tenderloin community. CM Kleffner mentioned
that today is National Women’s Day and would like to hear from women
present on their concerns.
The following is a summary of some of the comments made by members of the public during Open Discussion:
• Comment regarding a trial study involving a liquid medication which seems to be effective, but was unsure whether he is receiving real medication or placebo
• Housing would be nice
• Rental subsidies have saved my life, to help me get off street drugs
• Would like to see more advocacy for people in detox who cannot advocate for themselves
• I need a place to live
• Housing is a great need
• Difficult to locate women’s only shelters and others are unsafe
• Cannot take children to detox
• Need housing assistance after leaving treatment programs such as Walden House
• Housing after detox and treatment programs
• A video or other material providing information for loved ones to educate and reduce fear about HIV, perhaps something on cable television
• How to break the stigma about HIV and medications for HIV to the general public – suggestion was to relate it to treatment for diabetes
• More education about medications
• Help with copays for people who have no income
CM Banks inquired whether people were aware of services offered by agencies such as PRC and whether anyone had plans for returning to school or work after stabilizing their medications, health and housing.
• Staff of agencies not adequately recognized for all they do for clients
• Wish housing could be better
• Cannot maintain medication adherence when sleeping on the street because of being robbed and abused
• Harm reduction information needs to be more available on the streets, especially regarding needle exchange at Walgreen’s
• Corruption in SRO’s and hotels, crime and violence against residents, drug dealers payoff managers
• Need to have prevention, harm reduction and services information available at SROs and hotels
• Promote and recruit people in the community to do presentations about services and inquire about needs
• Discussion regarding difficulty obtaining regular meals
CM Kleffner reminded people present that there is no need to blame people or agencies, as HIV is only a virus. She suggested thinking about how we make our lives work better from this point on.
• Comment regarding difficulty getting stolen ID replaced without a birth certificate, and the consequence of not being able to use vouchers
Discussion of where people obtain their health care included: CPMC, Ward 86, UCSF, Tom Waddell Clinic; and “wherever I can get it.” One person mentioned being scared about being turned in by the doctors for using drugs.
• City getting more dangerous, too many drugs on the streets
• Safety issues at some agencies seemed to be a concern; having weekend and extended hours at agencies would be helpful
• Activities and other things for people in recovery would be helpful
• Difficult to stay clean and sober in SROs because of the presence of drugs6. Thank You
Eight members of the public were present when the meeting was adjourned at 7:00.
Home |
Community Outreach & Advocacy
Committee
| Policy & Evaluation Committee | Evaluation
Committee
Membership
Committee | Planning
Committee | Steering
Committee