Health Resources and Services Administration May 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Health Resources and Services Administration published a notice in the Federal Register, 76 FR 27651 (May 12, 2011), announcing the meeting of the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines, June 9- 10, 2011, in the Parklawn Building (and via audio conference call), Conference Rooms G & H, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.

This Federal Register notice announces the non-competitive extension with funds of the Enhancing Linkages to HIV Care and Treatment in Jail Settings Initiative, Demonstration Sites (hereafter referred to as the SPNS Enhancing Linkages Initiative) in order to complete linkages to HIV medical care and support services for HIV positive individuals returning from jail settings to the community, follow-up data collection, analysis and dissemination of findings and lessons learned. The findings generated by this Initiative are capable of impacting service delivery systems and increasing linkages to critical HIV care and support services if the model programs can be adapted in jails and HIV service delivery settings across the United States, as well as to demonstrate that HIV testing and linkage to care in jail settings, and transitioning individuals to HIV care and treatment in the community is feasible and effective.

The Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) Policy Notice 99-02 established policies for the use of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funds authorized under Title XXVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, for housing referral services and short-term or emergency housing needs. Amendment 1 to Policy Notice 99-02, effective March 27, 2008, modified Policy Notice 99-02 by imposing a 24-month cumulative cap on short-term and emergency housing assistance. The limit on benefits would have taken effect on March 27, 2010, and would have impacted individuals who were users of the funds for housing assistance. HRSA received comments from the public concerning the potential impact of the cap and the threat to the ability of clients receiving Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funded services to receive housing services. In response, HRSA's Administrator directed that Policy Notice 99-02 Amendment 1 be rescinded, as published in the February 10, 2010, Federal Register notice, Volume 75, Issue 27, pages 6672-6673. In addition, the notice indicated that HRSA was conducting a comprehensive review of the Housing Policy. As a result of a thorough vetting and comprehensive review, HRSA is issuing a final notice of Housing Policy Notice 11-01 which replaces HAB Policy Notice 99-02, effective May 12, 2011.