Engrossed House Bill 2360 (EHB 2360)

Description & Background	LISTSERVE information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)	Listening Tour & Community Input
Link to State Legislature Website History & Documents	The Future of HIV Planning
The Future of HIV Funding

Brief Description of EHB 2360:

EHB 2360 changes the way we administer HIV service delivery. It eliminates the six regional AIDS service networks (AIDSNETs). To replace the AIDSNETs, the bill directs the Department of Health to fund HIV services directly. EHB 2360 passed the Washington State Legislature on March 16, 2010 and takes effect on January 1, 2011.

Background:

In 1988, the AIDSNETs were established to serve as local lead agencies to plan and coordinate HIV services in Washington. The boundaries of the AIDSNETs reflected the Department of Social and Health Services' six-region service system, with the most populous county in each region designated as the lead county. The lead county coordinated with other local health jurisdictions within the region to create a plan target HIV resources. DOH contracted with the AIDSNETs to implement plans within each region.

Beginning January 1, 2011 the agency will be responsible to distribute grants to support community services for people who are at risk for HIV, HIV-positive, or living with HIV disease. We will establish criteria for awarding grants to support services, including testing and case management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on EHB 2360

What is Engrossed House Bill 2360 (EHB 2360)?

EHB 2360 changes the way HIV service delivery is administered in the state by eliminating the six regional AIDSNETs. To replace the AIDSNETs, the bill directs the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to fund HIV services directly, including HIV testing and case management. EHB 2360 passed the Washington State Legislature on March 16, 2010 and takes effect on January 1, 2011.

What are the benefits and challenges of EHB 2360?

EHB 2360 creates a centralized system of administration, planning and coordination at the state level. Doing so will allow DOH to reduce administrative costs, find efficiencies in existing systems and maximize service delivery to clients. Like any big change, EHB 2360 challenges all of us to examine the way we do business and make tough decisions, particularly during tough economic times. In the future, this may mean that funding is distributed in different ways, that some stakeholders will be asked to play new roles and that some activities may no longer be a priority. Even so, we believe that EHB 2360 offers us an unprecedented opportunity to critically examine our work, make important improvements and have a more meaningful impact on the HIV epidemic in Washington.

What principles will DOH use to make decisions about EHB 2360 implementation?

DOH has identified four principles to guide its approach to implementing EHB 2360. First, DOH is committed to maximizing service delivery to clients in an era of diminishing resources. Second, DOH will work with its partners to reframe the state’s response to HIV to ensure those most at risk for and those living with HIV are served effectively. Third, DOH will promote reinvigorated efforts to reduce new HIV infections in the state and to ensure all Washingtonians living with HIV are provided with quality care and treatment services. Fourth, DOH will leverage existing practices and relationships to strengthen future programs and services.

What standards and criteria will DOH use to determine future funding priorities?

First and foremost, DOH will target resources to reach clients through direct service provision. DOH will work to make funding follow epidemiological trends in order to reach communities most impacted by HIV in the state, including gay and bisexual men, African Americans and Latinos. DOH will target funding to essential services, such as HIV testing, partner services and case management, so these services are available to individuals across the state. Finally, DOH will support its partners, meaningfully evaluate programs and promote accountability.

How will local health jurisdictions (LHJs), community-based organizations and community members be involved in ongoing decision-making?

Collaboration and ongoing communication is essential to creating an effective system of HIV service delivery in Washington. Currently, DOH is convening community input sessions around the state to hear from partners about EHB 2360 implementation. Input collected from these sessions will directly influence the way DOH implements 2360. DOH also has a statewide HIV Prevention Planning Group and an Early Intervention Program Steering Committee that provide regular feedback to DOH on priorities related to service delivery. The Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS is also an important mechanism for influencing decision-making. Moving forward, these groups will play an important role in providing ongoing input that reflects the diversity of the state.

What mechanisms will DOH use to distribute funding?

The HIV Client Services Program has developed a formula for awarding case management funding next year. A request for proposals (RFP) for case management will be released in November 2010 with funding to start April 1, 2011. The HIV Prevention Program will finalize funding priorities and granting mechanisms after its community input sessions have been completed in late August. For competitive HIV prevention funds, an RFP will be released early next year with funding to start on July 1, 2011.

LISTSERVE for EHB 2360

Go to http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?INDEX&X=70D8B92FA0717CE565.
Scroll down to and click WA-DOH2360IMPLEMENTATION.
Click Get Password.
Enter a valid email address and select a personal password. Click Register Password.
You will receive an email at the address provided. Click the link to register your password.
IMPORTANT STEP! Return to http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?INDEX&X=70D8B92FA0717CE565 and log in to the listserv system using the email address provided and registered password.
Scroll down to and click WA-DOH2360IMPLEMENTATION. Click Join or Leave WA-DOH2360IMPLEMENTATION. Enter your email and password.
If your subscription was successful, you will receive a message with subject line, “You are now subscribed to the WA-DOH2360IMPLEMENTATION list.” If you do not receive this message, please ensure you successfully completed steps 6 – 8.
If you still have difficulty subscribing, please send a message to Shannon.Franks@doh.wa.gov.

Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.

EHB 2360