The state is still not convinced that they should continue to fund AIDS Network for a full year grant cycle. They have once again decided not to fully fund AIDS Network. While the Department of Health Services has concluded that AIDS Network has met the remaining directives they are not convinced that AIDS Network can sustain a level of case management services for a full year grant cycle.
The decision that has been reached by Dr. Vergeront and others within the DHS is that funding will continue for another six months and that another site visit will be conducted in February 2010 to determine if there continues to be compliance with all of the directives. In other words, conditional funding continues.
In a conversation with Dr. Vergeront I was told that AIDS Network now has policy manuals in place, that they are making progress in learning how to use their computer software (Provide) and they have established a “level of care” that makes the DHS feel continued conditional funding is appropriate.
What we now have is an agency where the mechanics have been tinkered with, yet the fundamental problems remain. The issues of disparity of service have not been addressed. The opening of a one afternoon/3 times a month food pantry does not address the disparity of service issue. The promised opening of a dental clinic whose operations are being directed by the Treasurer/Dentist on the AIDS Network Board of Directors (Tamim Sifri) does not address the disparity of service issue. The addition of a 4 hour a week mental health professional to the staff of AIDS Network does not address the disparity of service issue in the mental health and AODA arena. The propping up of a relic of a case management system does not address the HRSA mandated move to medical case management.
Despite the unaddressed issues, the DHS has decided to reward AIDS Network with another six months of funding; a reprieve for addressing the profound failures uncovered over the last eighteen months—-issues that should have resulted in the immediate defunding of this agency.
We now have an agency that has funding assured for another six months and the ultimate decision regarding full funding delayed; an agency that has refused to meet with those who have strongly held opinions. We have an agency with continued funding whose Executive Director (Karen Dotson) finds it appropriate to label me and others as embittered dissidents and “crazy”. We have a board president and treasurer (Ellen Berz and Tamim Sifri) who have been missing in action. We have an agency that refuses to come clean with their donors regarding the true costs of special events.
As for us, we have an ongoing investigation at the Department of Regulation and Licensing and the Attorney General’s office regarding the agency’s fundraising practices. Additionally, we have provided the Internal Revenue Service with documentation that demonstrates clearly that AIDS Network has failed to properly report ACT Ride income and expenses on their annual 990. These are just a few of the avenues we are following in shining light on the truths regarding an agency that may have addressed dozens of state directives, but remains ethically bankrupt.
We laughed when we heard of the senior staffer at AIDS Network making the comment on several occasions that “short of embezzlement” they will be funded forever. It’s now starting to look like the state agrees with this staffer’s conclusion.
