Community Ownership of HIV in the Golden Triangle

1. Community Ownership of HIVin the Golden Triangle Ingrid Holmes Public Health Director

2. Decreasing HIV Ratesin Jefferson County • Where we were • Where we are • Where we are going

3. Historical Perspective • Collaborative efforts starting in 1990s • Cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur Health Departments join forces to reduce AIDS • Triangle AIDS Network (TAN) and Project AIDS Land Manor (PALM) created in 1980s • State funding

4. Services Offered byCommunity Based Organizations (CBOs) • TAN • Group-level Interventions • Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on AIDS (SISTA) • Healthy Relationships • PALM • Protocol Based Prevention Counseling and Testing (PBC) • Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services (CRCS) • an individual-level multi-session HIV prevention intervention focused on persons who have difficulty initiating or maintaining HIV risk reduction behaviors • Targets individuals with HIV/AIDS who are at risk of transmitting infection to others • HIV Early Intervention (HEI) • Targets clients who are substance users/abusers with HIV/AIDS

5. Services Offered by Local Health Departments in Jefferson County Beaumont and Port Arthur Health Departments • Offer comprehensive sexually transmitted infection services • Testing; treatment; referral when needed • Disease Intervention Services (DIS)

6. Statistical Information

7. Current Collaborative EffortsRelating to HIV • Formulation of Syphilis Elimination Committee • Lamar University, St. Elizabeth, Baptist Hospital, Beaumont Independent School District (BISD), Local Health Departments, CBOs • Result = Reduction in Syphilis Rates • African American Women and HIV • DSHS Initiative • Women and HIV • Ready in Red – City of Beaumont

8. Social Marketing • Encouraging testing • Billboards • Buses • 211 • Non traditional sources • Vehicle wraps • Media

9. Role of Public Health andHow We Can Help Disease Intervention Services (DIS) • Conducts public health follow-up for newly diagnosed cases of HIV • The role of the DIS is to intervene in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases • Clients may refuse to talk with a DIS; clients can decline services.

10. Partners for Testing • University • CBOs • Community Health Centers • Correctional Facilities • TB and STD Clinics • Faith Based Organizations • Hospitals • Pharmacies

11. Community Events

12. Collaborative Efforts

14. Collaboration and Coalitions Must be EMBRACED Not FORCED

15. Key Points for Collaboration • Identify the problem / need • Enlist commitment from Senior Leadership of identified organizations • Identify the coalition’s principles and goals • Develop short term goals • Encourage diverse membership with multifaceted skills and level of involvement • Invite all those who express an interest; then make them feel welcome and define their role.

16. Collaboration Through Coalition Building • Create • Connect • Commit • Celebrate

17. ASuccessStory

19. Collaboration

20. Act F.A.S.T. Campaign

21. Requirements for a Successful Coalition • Keep momentum going • Define goals and objectives • Create short time goals • Funding issues

22. Dialogue

23. Collaboration Through Coalition Building • Create • Connect • Commit • Celebrate

24. Identify Community Needs What are the next steps?