Board Meeting Minutes
Ohio Commission on Minority Health Virtual Only Meeting
(Virtual Only Meeting due to technical difficulties)
March 31, 2026
Ms. Celina Cunanan, Board Chair
Senator Craig, Vice Chair
Mr. Tony Ortiz Secretary
Ms. Katherine Tullio
Ms. Alisia Clark
Mr. Culver (for Director Damschroder)
Ms. Traci Bell-Thomas (for Director Partika)
Ms. Christina May (for Director Dackin)
Ms. Jamie Carmichael (for Director McElroy)
Ms. Vietor (for Director Nash)
Ms. Sheila Wright
Ms. Malaika Brewer (for Director Moretti)
Tabitha Jones -McKnight, DO, (for Director Vanderhoff)
Senator Michele Reynolds
Representative Dontavius L. Jarrells
Representative Josh Williams
Mr. Nathan Turner, ODD Mr. 0. Davis
Angela C. Dawson, Director- V Loretta Skinner, Executive Asst.- V
Tamicia Hilliard, Sr. Fiscal Analyst Giselle Lindsay, Program Specialist Assistant Attorney General - Absent Mr. Henry Appel
Ms. Cunanan called the meeting to order at 8:01 AM.
Ms. Cunanan welcomed board members.
Roll call was conducted, and a voting quorum was present.
January 16, 2026, board meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as written. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz, Second: Ms. May) Motion passed.
Departmental and Legislative Reports and Board Member Updates -Tabled
Communications Committee
Ms. Bell-Thomas provided the report for the Communications Committee. The Communications Committee meeting was held on February 11, 2026. Director Dawson provided a detailed overview of the upcoming 2026 Virtual Minority Health Month. The featured guest are as follows: Mistress of Ceremonies
- lOTV News Anchor Ms. Tracy Townsend; Keynote Speaker - Former Board Chair Dr. Electra Paskett; Panel Moderator - Amy Rohling-McGee of HPIO; and Panel members: Electra Paskett, PhD; Theodore Teknos, MD; Bridgette Oppong, MD; and Randy Vince, MD. Director Dawson provided an update to the sponsorships to date which total $15,100. The Committee members provided feedback and approval for the MHM billboard campaign. The Committee will review and approve the prerecorded virtual event during the week of March 2, 2026. An update was provided on the Biennial and 10 Year Report which will be reviewed by the Committee when the draft is completed. Director Dawson provided a detailed overview of the website and social media analytics along with the visibility and outreach efforts. Director Dawson provided the Committee with an update of the current releases for the OCMH funding opportunities. The next meeting for the Communications Committee will be held on May 13, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
Grants Committee
Ms. Bell-Thomas provided the report for the Grants Committee. The Grants Committee meeting was held on March 27, 2026. Director Dawson provided an overview of the applications submitted to include the results of the administrative and scoring reviews. The Director provided a review of the board actions related to the FY26 MGS, FY27 MGS, MIH, SLE, and MIHL grant application submissions. The Grants Committee recommended approval of the ten board actions. Director Dawson reported that staff will complete the review of the FY26 third quarter and the CY26 first quarter program, evaluation, and fiscal reports. Director Dawson reported on the release of the upcoming RFPs for funding and shared a personnel update regarding the recruitment for the current vacancy. The next Grants Committee meeting will be held on May 15, 2026 at 8:00 am.
FY26 Miscellaneous Supplemental Grant (MGS)- Not Recommended for Funding Approval_
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative reviews and does not recommend funding approval for the FY26 MGS applications listed in the board action that did not pass administrative review. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Mr. Culver) Motion passed.
FY26 Miscellaneous Supplemental Grant (MGS) - Recommended for Funding Approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative and scoring reviews and recommends funding approval for the FY26 MGS application listed in the board action. This board action totals $25,000. The grantee will be provided with an Acknowledgement of Terms (AOT) that will identify general and specific fiscal and program special conditions that will need to be addressed. This funding will begin March 31, 2026, through June 30, 2026. (Motion: M. Ortiz Second: Ms. Tullio) Motion passed.
FY27 Continuation Grant for Evaluation (MGS) - Round 1 - Not Recommended for Funding Approval The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative review and does not recommend funding approval for the FY27 MGS application listed in the board action that did not pass administrative review. (Motion: Ms. May Second: Ms. Tullio) Motion passed.
FY27 Continuation Grant for Evaluation (MGS) - Round 2 - Recommende� for Funding Approval The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative and scoring reviews and recommends funding approval for the FY27 MGS application listed in the board action. This board action totals $100,000. The grantee will be provided with an Acknowledgement of Terms (AOT) that will identify general and specific fiscal and program special conditions that will need to be addressed. This funding will begin July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. (Motion: Ms. Carmichael Second: Ms. Clark) Motion passed.
FY27 Continuation Application - Demonstration Grants (MIR)- Rounds 1 & 2 - Not Recommended for funding approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative reviews and does not recommend funding approval for the FY27 MIH Round 1 and 2 applications listed in the board action that did not pass administrative review. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Mr. Culver) Motion passed.
FY27 Continuation Application - Demonstration Grants {MIH) - Rounds 1 & 2 - Recommended for Funding Approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative and scoring reviews and recommends funding approval for the FY27 MIH Rounds I and 2 applications listed in the board action. This board action totals $500,000. Each grantee will be provided with an Acknowledgement of Terms (AOT) that will identify general and specific fiscal and program special conditions that will need to be addressed. This funding will begin July I, 2026, through June 30, 2027. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Ms. Tullio) Motion passed.
- Not Recommended for Funding Approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative reviews and does not recommend funding approval for the FY27 MIHL Rounds I and 2 applications listed in the board action that did not pass administrative review. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Ms. Carmichael) Motion passed.
. . .
FY27 Continuation Application - Local Offices on Minority Health Grants (MJffL) - Rounds 1 & 2 Recommended for Funding Approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative and scoring reviews and recommends funding approval for the FY27 MIHL Rounds I and 2 applications listed in the board action. This board action totals $315,000. Each grantee will be provided with an Acknowledgement of Terms (AOT) that will identify general and specific fiscal and program special conditions that will need to be addressed. This funding will begin July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Ms. Clark) Motion passed.
FY27 Continuation Application - Lupus Grants (SLE} - Rounds 1 & 2 - Not Recommended for
Funding Approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative review and does not recommend funding approval for the FY27 SLE application listed in the board action that did not pass administrative review. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Mr. Culver) Motioo passed.
FY27 Continuation Application Lupus Grants (SLE) - Rounds 1 & 2 - Recommended for Funding Approval
The Grants Committee examined the results of the administrative and scoring reviews and recommended funding approval for the FY27 SLE Rounds 1 and 2 applications listed in the board action. This board action totals $76,000. Each grantee will be provided with an Acknowledgement ofTenns (AOT) that will identify general and specific fiscal and program special conditions that will need to be addressed. This funding will begin July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. (Motion: Mr. Ortiz Second: Ms. Clark) Motion passed.
Director's Report -Tabled
Board Chairperson's Comments -Tabled
Old Business
Director Dawson reminded Board members of the Ohio Ethics Commission - Financial Disclosure Statement filing deadline of May 15, 2026. Director Dawson reminded Board members to use the invitation links to join the OCMH 2026 Minority Health Month Kickoff and Panel Discussion immediately following the board meeting.
New Business - Tabled
Public Comment:
Director Dawson requested public comment. There was no public comment.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by: Mr. Ortiz and Seconded by: Ms. Clark The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 AM.
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Mr. Tony Ortiz, Board Secretary Date