California HIV/AIDS Cuts: Program Overview

The California State Office of AIDS cuts will eliminate state general fund support for the following programs:

Education and Prevention:
HIV education and prevention programs focus on preventing HIV transmission, changing individual attitudes about HIV and risk behaviors, promoting the development of risk reduction skills, and changing community norms. These funds are distributed to local health jurisdictions that provide health education and risk reduction interventions to California’s populations at highest risk for contracting or transmitting HIV.

Two types of prevention activities are funded through education and prevention funding: prevention with high-risk negative individuals and prevention with HIV positive individuals. Education and prevention programs and activities for high-risk negative individuals receive oversight from the Office of AIDS, HIV Education and Prevention Services Branch. These statewide programs/activities include: linkages to HIV counseling and testing (C&T), syringe exchange programs (SEP), training for Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) working with men who have sex with men (MSM), and a prevention with positives (PWP) program. Linkages to C&T ensure that individuals get tested and know their HIV status; SEP reduce HIV infection among injection drug users (IDUs) by increasing access to sterile syringes; CRCS in intensive, individualized, client-centered counseling to promote HIV risk-reduction behaviors; the Gay Men’s/MSM Service Provider training and technical assistance reinforces the skills required to work with MSM; and PWP, within the context of HIV education and prevention programming, supports HIV-positive individuals in their efforts to prevent the transmission of HIV. Two other programs that work with HIV-positive individuals, the Bridge Project and Positive Changes, are conducted within HIV care settings at select EIP sites. The Bridge Project reaches HIV-positive individuals who are out -of -care and links them to care. It provides services to 1,120 clients via 29 sites located in 23 counties, serving 27 counties. Positive Changes provides an intensive transmission risk -reduction intervention by Risk Reduction specialists to 670 HIV-positive individuals at very high risk of transmitting HIV. The program is located in 12 counties, and serves 13 counties.

All state general fund support for this program ($24,628 million) were eliminated in this budget and only federal funds ($6,416 million) remain.

HIV Counseling and Testing (C&T):
The C&T program seeks to prevents the spread of HIV by supporting comprehensive HIV prevention programs that provide effective client-centered HIV counseling and testing services. The services are provided by 54 local health jurisdictions (LHJ) and their subcontractors at both confidential and anonymous test sites throughout the state. In 2005, there were 39,880 HIV infected positive individuals in California. Each year there are about 3,312 newly diagnosed HIV cases, of which 1,510 of these cases are identified and reported through the counseling and testing program.

NIGHT – The program targets HIV counseling, testing, and referral activities to high-risk populations in venues they frequented. The goals of NIGHT Outreach Program are 1) reach high-risk individuals who do not seek HIV testing, 2) encourage clients to receive HIV counseling and testing, 3) increase clients’ knowledge of HIV-related risks, 4) provide targeted educational material and condoms, and 5) provide clients with appropriate referrals to other social support and/or medical services.

HIV Counselor Training – The program provides oversight and funding for certification training to HIV test counselors that work in confidential and anonymous test sites. HIV test counselors are trained to provide high-quality prevention counseling that assists at-risk individuals reduce their risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV and learn their HIV status. The state also purchases and distributes HIV test kits to local health jurisdictions at no cost. These test kits are made available to all anonymous and confidential test sites receiving Office of AIDS funding and technical assistance and to the NIGHT programs. Last year the state purchased and distributed approximately135,000 HIV test kits.

All state general fund support for this program ($8.225 million) was eliminated in this budget and only federal funds ($2.534 million) remain.

Early Intervention Program (EIP):
EIP sites provide HIV medical care and treatment as well as transmission prevention interventions for HIV-positive persons within the context of their clinical care. There are 36 EIP clinics statewide that serve 8,000 clients. The goals of the program are to prolong the health and productivity of HIV-positive persons and to interrupt the transmission of HIV. In addition to ongoing medical care, periodic client assessments, case conferencing, and individual services plans are utilized to tailor services to meet individual client needs and to maximize successful client outcomes.

All state general fund support for this program ($7.433 million) was eliminated in this budget and only federal funds ($6.983 million) remain.

Therapeutic Monitoring Program (TMP):
TMP provides access to scientific laboratory tests (viral load and resistance testing) for low-income, HIV-positive Californians who are uninsured or underinsured. These tests are part of the Standard of Care, as defined in federal guidelines. HIV therapeutic monitoring provides clinicians with objective tools to measure the efficacy of a particular course of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Viral load testing is a tool used by clinicians to routinely monitor response to HIV treatment. HIV resistance testing measures the degree to which an individual’s HIV strain is resistant, or less responsive, to antiretroviral drugs. In FY 2006-07 the actual number of clients served was 18,663.

All state general fund support for this program ($8 million) was eliminated in this budget and there are no federal funds to support this program.

Home and Community Based Care:
AIDS Case Management Program (CMP) provides comprehensive case management and direct care services to over 1,300 persons with AIDS or symptomatic HIV disease to allow individuals to remain in their homes while receiving necessary care. Forty-four agencies receive funding to provide case management services.

All state general fund support for this program ($6.327 million) was eliminated in this budget and only federal funds ($5.426 million) remain..

AIDS Housing:
The housing program assists with the stable housing needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families through the development of rental housing projects and long term affordable housing units. This program works in conjunction with the federal Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. The HIV Housing Program contracts with Fresno and Solano Counties to assist with the stable housing needs of 286 clients and their families.

The Residential AIDS Licensing Facilities (RALF) program is designed to help address the ongoing operational subsidy needs of currently-licensed Residential Care Facilities for the chronically ill that serves clients with HIV disease. Currently the funds for RALF are allocated based on the number of bed nights each facility has available for chronically ill individuals with HIV/AIDS. Each licensed facility is given an opportunity to compete for these funds. RALF funds approximately 17 sites located in the following areas: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento, Alameda, Riverside, and San Diego. The program serves 270 clients with 98,550 bed nights per year.

All state general fund support for this program ($1.093 million) was eliminated in this budget and only federal funds ($3.540 million) remain.

HIV/AIDS Surveillance:
The Office of AIDS provides support for epidemiologic studies and surveillance program activities including:

Maintaining HIV/AIDS Case Registry, a confidential, central registry of demographic and clinical information on all reported (approximately 170,000) California HIV infections and AIDS cases. The Registry provides all California local health departments with support and training for developing, maintaining, and enhancing surveillance programs.
Providing epidemiologic data to guide resource allocation and program strategies for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care and treatment. HIV/AIDS epidemiologic research helps public health public health officials and statewide stakeholders monitor and project the extent of the epidemic in California;
Promoting the effective use of available resources through research, planning, coordination, and evaluation; and
Identifying the scope and extent of HIV infection and the needs that it creates, and disseminating timely and complete information.

This program received a $1 million state general fund reduction, leaving $7.651 million. This program also receives $1.578 million in federal funds. The remaining funding level will enable surveillance activities performed by local health departments to continue, ensuring that CA remains competitive for federal funding and maintains the ability to map its HIV burden.

Call Your Representative NOW to Defeat Syringe Exchange Amendment! Take Action

Amendment to Ban Federal Syringe Exchange Funding on House Floor

From AIDS Action Council: ALL HANDS ON DECK! CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IMMEDIATELY Defeat Amendment Against Syringe Exchange on the House Floor A House amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill is scheduled for floor debate, and will take place today, July 24th. Yesterday, the Rules Committee permitted an amendment by Representative Mark Souder (R-IN) which prohibits HHS funding for programs which distribute sterile needles or syringes for hypodermic injection of any illegal drug to be voted on. If this amendment passes it will almost certainly ban federal funding of syringe exchange in the U.S. and may disrupt current syringe exchange operations. Syringe exchange saves lives!

This destructive amendment must be defeated NOW! Take immediate action by clicking on the "Take Action" link to prevent the defeat of syringe exchange programs. Thank you for sending messages, but the time to call your Representatives is NOW! Members on the list below absolutely must hear from their constituents, however all Representatives need to be reached. So, please CALL, CALL, CALL and forward this alert your friends, family, and everyone you know!

Arcuri NY, 225-3665, Utica Bean IL, 225-3711, Schaumburg Bishop (GA) 225-3631, Albany Boccierri OH, 225-3876, Canton Boucher VA, 225-3861, Abingdon Cooper TN, 225-4311, Nashville Costa CA, 225-3341, Fresno Cuellar TX, 225-1640, San Antonio Foster IL, 225-2976, Batavia Giffords AZ, 225-2542, Tucson Gordon TN, 225-4231, Murfreesboro Grayson FL, 225-2176, Orlando Heinrich NM, 225-6316, Alburquerque Kanjorski PA, 225-6511, Wilkes-Barre Kirkpatrick AZ, 225-2315, Prescott Kissell NC, 225-3715, Concord Kosmas FL, 225-2706, Port Orange Loebsack IA, 225-6576, Iowa City Lujan NM, 225-6190, Santa Fe Markey (CO) 225-4676, Fort Collins McNerney CA, 225-1947, Pleasaton McMahon NY, 225-3371, Staten Island Michaud ME, 225-6306, Bangor Mitchell AZ, 225-2190, Scottsdale Mollohan WV, 225-4172, Morgantown Moore (KS) 225-2865, Kansas City Murphy (NY) 225-5614, Saratoga Peters MI, 225-5802, Troy Schauer MI, 225-6276, Jackson Sestak PA, 225-2011, Media Space OH, 225-6265, Dover Spratt SC, 225-5501, Rock Hill Stupak MI, 225-4735, Upper Pennisula/Northern MI Teague NM, 225-2365, Hobbs Titus NV, 225-3252, Las Vegas Walz MN, 225-2472, Mankato

Call Congress Today to Protect Peer Review and HIV/AIDS Prevention Research

We Need Your Help!
On Friday, July 24th, the House of Representatives is expected to begin debating the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill, which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While the current legislation provides a $941.8 million increase to the NIH, it is expected that Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) will offer an amendment to the bill that would rescind funding from three currently funded, peer-reviewed grants that focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, as an example of wasteful spending.

Take Action:
Please call your member of Congress today and urge him/her to vote NO on this amendment.

Background:
NIH's peer review process is the gold standard for determining the quality and relevance of grant proposals. Scientists from universities across the country with expertise in their fields of research make independent and objective evaluations of each proposal submitted to the NIH. Advisory councils with public representation also approve studies before NIH funds them. Efforts to restrict peer-reviewed research would undermine one of the core principles of the research enterprise.

Given that HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic that has already killed more than 25 million men, women, and children and 33 million are currently living with HIV, it is clear that prevention of HIV infection should be a priority area of research funding. The research is easy to ridicule if it is taken out of its public health context. The fact is, scientists need to explore a range of research avenues in vulnerable populations around the world to learn the best ways to control the transmission of HIV.

In response to previous congressional concerns about whether sexual health research should be funded by the agency, NIH reviewed the entire NIH sexuality portfolio in 2004. That investigation found that all of the NIH grants in areas of sexual health met the rigorous standards of scientific and ethical quality, that they were not funded out of proportion to the public health burden of these diseases, and that the merit review system had been followed.

Targeted Research Projects:
1) Substance Abuse Use and HIV Risk Among Thai Women Grant Number: 1R21DA026324-01A1

The proposed collaboration study between Ms. Usaneya Perngparn, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand and Dr. Nemoto, Public Health Institute, California, will investigate the sociocultural contexts of HIV risk behaviors and drug use among Thai female and male-to-female transgender (kathoey) sex workers in Bangkok. Research is currently needed to develop and adapt HIV prevention models that take into account sociocultural factors so that the further transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections can be averted. Participation in these types of studies also can provide a way for persons suffering from the health consequences of illicit sexual activity to receive treatment while contributing to our knowledge of prevention and treatment outcomes in these populations.

2) HIV Prevention for Hospitalized Russian Alcoholics Grant Number: 5R01AA016059-03

Investigators are adapting a prevention approach that has been demonstrated to be effective in decreasing high-risk HIV related behaviors in the U.S. for use in Russia, a country with a rapidly expanding incidence of HIV. The approach, called Health Relationships Intervention, involves the development of a plan of action for each client to increase social support and reduce high-risk behaviors. This includes the disclosure of information to family and friends on the client's health, social needs and condition thereby assisting the client in maintaining low risk behaviors.

3) Venue-based HIV and Alcohol Use Risk Reduction Among Female Sex Workers in China Grant Number: 1R01AA018090-01

Research has provided evidence linking alcohol-related, high risk sexual behavior with HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections. Research has also provided rich descriptions of social, cultural, and economic contexts in which people engage in alcohol-related sexual risk behaviors. More specifically, alcohol use characteristics (e.g., binge drinking) have been linked with sexual risk-taking that occurs in a range of high risk environments. The investigators have proposed a 5-year study to develop, implement, and evaluate a theory-guided, multiple components, and venue-based HIV and alcohol use risk reduction intervention among commercial sex workers (FSWs) in China.

Geoff Mumford, PhD| Associate Executive Director Government Relations Office Science Directorate
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
Tel: (202) 336-6067| Fax: (202) 336-6063
email: gmumford@apa.org | www.apa.org

Dr. Joel Weisman, who co-wrote the first report on AIDS in 1981, has died. He was 66.

Weisman died Saturday at his Los Angeles home. His domestic partner, Bill Hutton, said Weisman had heart disease and was ill for several months.

Weisman was a private physician in 1980 when he saw three gay patients who had symptoms of what would become known as AIDS. Weisman referred two of the patients to an immunologist at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Weisman, along with UCLA immunologist Dr. Martin Gottlieb, wrote a brief report of what they learned.

Their paper appeared on June 5, 1981, in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was the first report on AIDS in the medical literature.

Letter To Obey

July 22, 2009

The Honorable David Obey
Chairman
House Appropriations Committee
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Obey:

As organizations engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we want to thank you for the historic vote on syringe exchange on July 17, 2009. Your decision to remove the federal ban in the FY10 appropriations bill was an important first step to a full repeal. It would not have happened without your leadership.

As you indicated in the committee debate, the “1000 foot rule” is deeply troubling. Particularly in dense urban areas, we’re concerned that entire cities would be off limits. Lifting the ban will save thousands of lives – but only if the services are available to the people who need them. We’re happy to work with you to revise this language and address concerns about the location of syringe exchange programs.

Again, thank you for your work on this issue.

Sincerely,

1. Advocates for Youth
2. AIDS Action Baltimore
3. AIDS Action Council
4. AIDS Foundation of Chicago
5. AIDS Partnership Michigan
6. AIDS Project Los Angeles
7. AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
8. AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland
9. AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition
10. American Civil Liberties Union
11. American Medical Student Association
12. American Psychiatric Association
13. American Psychological Association
14. American Public Health Association
15. American Social Health Association
16. amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
17. Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
18. Brothers Uplifting Brothers, Inc
19. CAEAR Foundation
20. CANN - Community Access National Network
21. Carepoint Adult Child and Family
22. Caring Ambassadors Program
23. Center for Health Policy and Innovation
24. CHAIN (Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network)
25. CityMatCH
26. Colorado AIDS Project
27. Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP)
28. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York
29. District of Columbia HIV Prevention Community Planning Group
30. Drug Policy Alliance
31. FROST'D
32. Global Justice Ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches
33. Harlem United
34. Harm Reduction Coalition
35. Health GAP (Global Access Project)
36. Hepatitis Education Project
37. HIV Medicine Association
38. HIVictorious, Inc.
39. Housing Works
40. Human Rights Campaign
41. Infectious Diseases Society of America
42. Metropolitan Community Churches
43. Minnesota AIDS Project
44. National AIDS Fund
45. National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors
46. National Minority AIDS Council
47. National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
48. Nebraska AIDS Project
49. North American Syringe Exchange Network
50. Northern Colorado AIDS Project
51. Open Society Policy Center
52. Partnership for Prevention
53. Physicians for Human Rights
54. Project Inform
55. The AIDS Institute
56. The Boulder County AIDS Project
57. The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
58. The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)
59. The National Latino HIV/AIDS Action Network (NLAAN)
60. The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
61. Total Health Awareness Team
62. Trust for America's Health
63. Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services
64. Vermont Global Health Coalition (VGHC)
65. Village Care of New York
66. Women's HIV Collaborative

Development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy

The development of a National HIV/AIDS strategy is President Obama’s highest domestic HIV/AIDS priority.
The primary goals of a national strategy are to develop concrete recommendations for significantly:

• Reducing HIV incidence;
• Increasing access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS and improving health outcomes; and,
• Reducing HIV-related health disparities.

The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) has been conducting meetings with a wide variety of stakeholders to seek input on key issues and to gather recommendations for moving the nation forward to better support people living with HIV/AIDS and more effectively work to end the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The strategy will: identify bold, but achievable, goals; include timelines and accountability mechanisms; rely on sound science; and build on programs and practices that are proven to work.

Key elements of the Administration’s plan for developing a national strategy are as follows:

Leverage the extensive HIV/AIDS expertise across the federal government

• ONAP Director, Jeffrey S. Crowley, will convene and chair an interagency HIV/AIDS working group to help develop the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Leveraging knowledge across the government will ensure the strategy is informed by a breadth of knowledge, research and expertise.

Engage the public in meaningful ways

• Through the remainder of 2009, ONAP will conduct town hall meetings in communities across the country to learn more about the situation on the ground. Town halls will be held in the traditional epicenters of the epidemic, as well as areas with recent growth in HIV transmission, rural areas and underserved areas in the south, and Indian country. One town hall will be held at the National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta on August 25th.

• A forthcoming new web page on www.whitehouse.gov will enable the American people to offer their input and be kept abreast of our progress in developing the strategy.

• The Administration will receive input and recommendations from the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

Research and analysis of critical issues

• ONAP staff will work with external experts to conduct consultations, research and other activities on specific policy issues. These may include: reducing HIV-related stigma, understanding the role of housing in maintaining people in care, and engaging youth to prevent new infections.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy will be released in early 2010.

Letter Supporting Lifting The Ban

July 15, 2009

The Honorable David Obey
Chairman
House Appropriations Committee
U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Jerry Lewis
Ranking Member
House Appropriations Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis:

As national organizations dedicated to improved public health outcomes for all Americans, we are very concerned that HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious health challenge in our country. It is imperative that effective, evidence-based HIV prevention approaches be implemented without delay. To that end, we are writing to support the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS’s decision to remove the ban on use of federal funds for needle exchange programs and to urge the full Appropriations Committee to pass the FY 2010 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill without any additional restrictions on the use of these funds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injection drug users (IDUs) account for 16% of all new HIV infections in the United States. A variety of interventions are needed to reduce HIV incidence among IDUs and their partners, including HIV prevention education and access to drug treatment. But since 1988, public health agencies have been restricted by law from using federal funds for one evidence-based approach: needle exchange programs

Numerous scientific studies, including several studies funded by the federal government, have established that needle exchange programs, when implemented as part of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention strategy, are an effective HIV prevention intervention and do not promote drug use. This position is confirmed by leading scientific experts including three former Surgeons General. Needle exchange programs have also been shown to prevent the transmission of hepatitis C, another growing threat to the nation’s health.

President Obama has committed to developing a National AIDS Strategy with a primary objective of reducing HIV incidence. Accomplishing this laudable goal will require implementation of all available proven effective HIV prevention programs, including needle exchange programs.

Finally, we wish to emphasize that removing this restriction will in no way require states or localities to implement needle exchange programs; it will simply permit them to use federal HIV prevention funds for this purpose should they so choose, within the context of a broader HIV prevention effort. In those jurisdictions that already have needle exchange programs, local ordinances have determined how these programs should be managed, including deciding issues of location. The federal government should not override local authorities with restrictions made from afar on how these programs should be implemented.

We therefore support revocation of the federal ban on federal funding for needle exchange programs in order to allow interested states and localities the financial flexibility to implement evidence-based HIV prevention initiatives.

Sincerely,
1. AIDS Action Council
2. Access Community Health Network (ACCESS)
3. American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
4. American Academy of HIV Medicine
5. American Academy of Pediatrics
6. American Medical Association
7. American Nurses Association
8. American Psychiatric Association
9. American Public Health Association
10. American Social Health Association
11. amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
12. Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
13. Association of Ohio Health Commissioners
14. Association of Schools of Public Health
15. CityMatCH
16. HIV Medicine Association
17. Infectious Diseases Society of America
18. Legal Action Center
19. National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors
20. National Association of County and City Health Officers
21. National Association of People with AIDS
22. National Minority AIDS Council
23. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
24. Partnership for Prevention
25. Public Health Foundation
26. The Praxis Project
27. Trust for America’s Health

Please direct all inquires or comments to Jeff Levi of Trust for America’s Health (jlevi@tfah.org), 202-223-9877 and Chris Collins of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research (chris.collins@amfar.org) 202-331-8600.

Tom Duane

The most amazing speech by Tom Duane. He is one of my heroes

Historic Happenings as Black LGBT Group Addresses NAACP Convention

Remarks by National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) cover racial divide on LGBT Issues, HIV/AIDS and unveiling of NAACP's LGBT Task Force

(PRWEB) July 16, 2009 -- The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is pleased to report Deputy Director Jason W. Bartlett's address to the NAACP Board of Governors at the NAACP Centennial last night. NAACP Chairman Julian Bond personally introduced Bartlett to the NAACP Board of Governors during last night's presentation. Bartlett, who is also a Connecticut State Representative, centered his address to the historic gathering on an appeal to make LGBT rights a part of the civil rights agenda of the NAACP going forward.

In addition to Bartlett's address, NBJC participation at the Centennial includes Wednesday's unveiling of the newly formed NAACP LGBT Equality Task Force, created in conjunction with NBJC leadership earlier this year.

Bartlett's Tuesday night address touched on many issues, including hate crimes and workplace discrimination, noting "Black gay people need you on Hate Crimes. We have a disproportionate number of Black LGBT people who are suffering from hate crimes and we need you to speak about it and advocate for them. It is our Black brothers and sisters who are gay and lesbian that need you; they need you to not let them be oppressed at their place of work."

Bartlett urged the NAACP to pass resolutions on these issues on behalf of people of color like him who are gay, noting, "Too often, our community -- the Black community -- thinks of LGBT concerns, thinks of gay concerns as White. The National Black Justice Coalition represents Black LGBT people -- like myself -- that need you."

One of Bartlett's more controversial remarks took the NAACP to task for neglecting to mention Black LGBT individuals when addressing AIDS: "Earlier today, you had a plenary on HIV AIDS, you discussed the high incidence of AIDS the disproportionate impact of this disease on African American women -- but you did not address the disproportionate number of HIV/AIDS incidences on our young Black gay men aged between 18 and 25. You cannot talk about HIV AIDS unless you are willing to talk about gay men, Black gay men. We need to have this conversation!" he implored.

Bartlett went on to say that he was in the closet for over 40 years in part because he felt oppressed by the non-welcoming environment of the Black community. He asked the Board of Governors to join their courageous leaders Ben Jealous and Julian Bond, and to pass affirming resolutions on LGBT rights.

Bartlett concluded by recognizing marriage equality as a civil right, adding "...that we need to recognize this fact, not for our White LGBT brothers and sisters, but for the Black people who need our support -- our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, our cousins -- our Black neighbors that needed the NAACP to lead, and to fight for them."

The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.

Please Check Out My Blog @ RHRealityCheck.org

Check out my Blog on | RHRealityCheck.org

Women’s Preventive Health Saves Lives and Families

By Paul Kawata, Executive Director, National Minority AIDS Council

Yesterday, the Senate HELP Committee approved an amendment to its draft health care reform bill that set the stage to ensure that all women have access to quality preventive health care, screening and the essential community providers that continue to be the lifeline for many.

We at the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) believe this amendment – offered by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) – represents a critical step forward in helping millions of women access preventive services, like HIV screenings, to help improve health outcomes and save lives. It also guarantees that all patients (men, women and children) in any health care gateway have access to providers like HIV/AIDS clinics, public hospitals, and women’s health centers.

Preventative care is particularly important for women of color. Often the primary care takers of their families, they tend to put the needs of their family members and children ahead of their own – to the detriment of their health. Since 1992, HIV rates among women of color have risen nearly 10%, with over 80% of all HIV cases among women in this country occurring among Black and Hispanic women.

These rates are symptomatic of the larger socio-economic and health disparities found in communities of color in the U.S., which have been disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic began nearly three decades ago. Together, high rates of poverty and homelessness, as well as lack of access to education, full employment and health insurance, have created significant barriers to health care in communities of color. These same trends often are found in rural America as well, where health care entities are severely limited, if available at all. Women in communities of color and rural areas often wait until symptoms of HIV disease or other illness are fully manifested, forcing them to use their local hospital emergency rooms for primary care and severely undermining their health outcomes.

Women’s Health Amendment #201 would cover women of color’s access to services from minority faith- and community-based organizations (MF/CBOs), which provide culturally competent and easily accessible health and HIV/AIDS services in communities of color throughout the country. Over 4,000 strong, MF/CBOs have saved countless lives by providing their clients easily accessible health care services. Supporting their ability to provide a diverse range of services will encourage women to take advantage of preventative services currently not included by the Affordable Health Choices Act: cancer screenings, well-women exams, pre-natal care, pap tests, and other prevention care, while accessing care for their children and other family members.

We are alarmed to learn that some of our representatives oppose health care reform. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R, UT) and the Family Research Council, among others, have falsely attacked this amendment as a mandate for abortion coverage. This amendment covers life-saving preventive care; abortion is not preventive care. To use a political red herring to attack preventive services that are desperately needed in this country – particularly by underserved populations, including the 70 million Americans who lack adequate insurance coverage for the routine health care that others take for granted, is offensive and preposterous.

A wide range of groups support protecting patients’ access to essential community providers, including Families USA, SEIU, Campaign for America’s Future, Health Care for America Now, American Nurses Association, American Academy of Nursing, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Association of People with AIDS, National Women’s Law Center, and the National Partnership for Women and Families.

We are calling on all people of conscious to unite around a common purpose: improving access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans, not launching inaccurate attacks that reek of old political debates. Call your member of Congress, write a letter to the editor, blog about this — get the word out that we will not stand for false accusations, as attempts to derail desperately needed health care reform.

Biking Over Golden Gate Bridge

I biked over the Golden Gate Bridge today. It is one of my favorite activities. I am in SF for a board meeting

USCA Scholarship Deadline July 10th

The online scholarship application is not available at this time - please download the 2009 USCA Scholarship Form. Completed forms are to be submitted via postal mail only - faxed or e-mail submission will NOT be accepted.

Please note: Scholarships are distributed based on the need demonstrated in each respondent's application and how he/she will employ his/her experience after the conference. Priority also is given to applicants working for organizations with smaller budgets. In addition, these rules also dictate how scholarships are awarded:

There is a maximum of one scholarship awarded per agency
One scholarship awarded per state.
Two scholarships are set aside for each of the top 20 cities impacted by HIV infection.
Ten scholarships are set aside for a specific target population. In 2009, the target population is the transgender community.
Priority is given to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Financial need also is a factor, along with the skills level of the applicant and the potential of the applicant in using the information he/she obtains at USCA at his/her home agency.

Scholarship applications are reviewed by the applicants’ USCA partner agency. Each partner receives a limited number of scholarships to distribute to their constituency. As a way to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS get scholarships, we have an optional section where you can list your HIV status. Please know this information is optional and your entire application will be shared with USCA partner agencies and their reviewers, including your HIV status.

Scholarship applicants can select from either:

Option A: Registration only, or

Option B: Registration, $100.00 travel subsidy and two nights lodging at an official conference hotel.

Please complete and return scholarship applications on or before July 10, 2009, by 5:00 pm (EST), to the following address:

2009 USCA Scholarship Committee
1931 13th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-4432

Applications sent by fax, or received after the deadline, will NOT be considered.

Women Of Color Training

On behalf of the National Minority AIDS Council we would like to invite you to our Women of Color Leadership Institute in Los Angeles, CA. on September 9-11, 2009. The training is 3 full days and limited to 25 women. The training is hosted by the National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center at:

Cobb Student Lounge
(Located in the W. Montague Cobb Medical Education Building)
Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science
1731 E 120th St
Los Angeles, CA 90059-3051

The Women of Color Leadership Institute (WOCLI) Training, designed by the Division of Government Relations and Public Policy (GRPP) at the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) in Washington, D.C., is aimed at achieving greater and more meaningful participation of women of color in decision-making at all levels to ensure programs, policies and funding respond to the unique impact of chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer and others on women.

Training:
The training consists of five modulesl. Training modules will equip and empower a cadre of confident, knowledgeable and skilled women leaders to 1) advocate at all levels for effective women’s health policies and increased funding to address the unique impact of chronic disease such as HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer and others on women and girls, and 2) prevent the spread and mitigate the effects of chronic diseases through high quality, gender sensitive, community-based women’s health programs and services. Major activities carried out under each training component include a needs assessment on women’s leadership, management, advocacy and women’s health knowledge and skills.

The WOCLI training is highly participatory, providing a supportive learning environment for exchange of best practices and leadership experiences, depth in government relations, program development and communication, media and collaboration. Participants will develop a greater appreciation for their individual leadership styles and capabilities and enhance their program development, sustainability and advocacy competencies.

Training consists of the following modules:

Introduction on Women’s Health and Health Disparities
Leadership Development
Government Relations and Public Policy
Program Development
Communication and Media
Collaboration

NMAC seeks 25 - 30 women of color for each training. This training is open to local health departments, other public health entities, community- and faith-based organizations as well as local academic institutions. Although criteria are not static, we intend to recruit a group of women of color from various health care and other backgrounds, committed to leadership in women’s health. As such, NMAC screens applicants and selects participants in a way that creates a balance of experience during the training.

Cost:
The training is free of charge, however, NMAC does not provide transportation and lodging to and from the training. During the training provided under NMAC funding, NMAC will provide both breakfast and lunch for the three days of training.

For more information, please contact Ludmilla Wikkeling-Scott . We look forward to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Ludmilla F. Wikkeling-Scott, Policy Associate
Division of Government Relations and Public Policy
National Minority AIDS Council
1931 - 13th Street, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20009-4432
202-483-6622 Office, Extension 316
202-483-1127 Fax
http://www.nmac.org

Conference Call On New HIV/AIDS Prevention Campaign

Join Phil Wilson of Black AIDS Institute on July 8, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. (eastern)/10:00 am (pacific), for a special stakeholder call about a new HIV/AIDS campaign We Are Greater Than by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Black AIDS Institute.

To participate, call 1-605-475-6333 and enter access code: 481162.

You can submit your questions in advance to info@nmac.org. The call will be recorded for podcast at a later date.

Nice Email From Ryan White's Mom

 
Thanks to all of you for your kind remarks about Michael Jackson. I for one have seen his love for all people, especially those living with HIV/AIDS. It has been a very hard last few days for my family losing Michael.

We are very thankful for the memories and love he showed Ryan, Andrea and I. Please pray for his family and especially his children. As a mother who lost her son Ryan. I know that pain and loss. Thanks againfor posting positive achievements on Michael.

Love to all of you!

Jeanne White Ginder
(Mother of Ryan White and proud friend of Michael Jackson)