2019 USCA Scholarships in Review

This year the United States Conference on AIDS received 1,112 scholarship requests and awarded 216 scholarships. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people were turned down. People are upset, and I am sorry. When you look at the demographics of who got scholarships, USCA prioritized People Living with HIV and People of Color, the communities hardest hit by HIV. Fifty scholarships were set aside for people Over 50 Living with HIV, 30 for youth, 15 for People on PrEP, 18 for Social Media Fellows and the balance in the general pool. The process was set up through Events Rebels. Our reviewers go online and blindly review the applications without seeing the applicants’ names. Reviewers were people who work on the frontlines of the epidemic and are part of the Constituent Advisory Panels (CAPs).

Here are the demographics for the awardees:

HIV Status

  • Positive – 57%
  • Negative – 34%
  • On PrEP – 5%
  • Undeclared/Unknown/No Answer – 6%
Ethnicity
  • AA/Black – 54%
  • Latinx – 21%
  • Caucasian/White – 14%
  • Asian – 4%
  • AIAN and NHPI – 5%
  • Not Disclosed/No Answer – 2%
Gender/Gender Identity
  • Male – 53%
  • Female -33%
  • MTF or Trans Woman – 8%
  • FTM or Trans Man – 1%
  • Gender Queer/Androgynous – 2%
  • No Answer – 2%
In addition to the NMAC scholarships, partners gave out an additional 200 scholarships from the following agencies:
  • Indian Health Service
  • Latino Commission on AIDS
  • National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition
  • Positive Women’s Network-USA
  • Transgender Law Center

In addition to these partners, the Black Women’s Health Imperative is bringing 200 African American women to USCA. We are very thankful to our colleagues for their support. NMAC believes it is important to have diverse organizations selecting scholarship recipients from their constituents. The goal is for USCA to reflect the demographics of the epidemic.

NMAC also heard concerns about the same people getting scholarships. We did a look back and saw around 30% of the scholarships went to people who received one previously. That means 70% went to new leaders. Most of the repeats happened for the Youth Scholars. This is strategic because the agency believes it takes more than one year to build leaders. The agency also gives a limited number of repeat scholarships in our Over 50 Living with HIV initiative. We try to bring previous recipients back to help run the program onsite and to act as mentors. Some people do get scholarships every year, but they aren’t necessarily from NMAC. Thankfully, we have partners and donors who provide scholarships independent of NMAC. Many attendees are sponsored by community-based organizations and/or the health department.

I know people were disappointed. I was disappointed that we could not fund more scholarships. In our efforts to support new leaders, sometimes scholarships are given to newer activists. Getting a scholarship is not a reflection of your value as an activist. Many long-term leaders in our movement did not get a scholarship. Given the concerns, NMAC will:

  • Do a complete review of the scholarship process,
  • Host an online evaluation to gather more community input,
  • Open Constituent Advisory Panels to new members and new scholarship reviewers
This year our partners and the conference will award over 600 scholarships, or about 20% of the attendees. We want to thank our sponsors for supporting scholarships: Gilead, ViiV, Jansen, Merck, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. None of the sponsors were involved with any of the decisions. Scholarship decisions are the sole responsibility of our partners or NMAC. We take our responsibility of awarding scholarships very seriously. Unfortunately, there is much more need than resources. If you need to talk, you are welcome to email or call (202-277-2777) me.

Yours in the struggle,

Paul Kawata
30 Years of Service

Now That The CDC Application is Done!

Congrats to the jurisdictions that successfully submitted their CDC PS19-1906 application. Here are some of NMAC’s thoughts about the next steps for leaders working on the plan: Don’t wait. The turn-around time for your jurisdictional plan to end the HIV epidemic is short and waiting will make the job harder. Prior to receiving the final funding award, NMAC believes it is important to:
  • Inform your governor, mayor, and other elected officials about your planning efforts to end the HIV epidemic in their jurisdiction,
  • Work to identify planning body members, and
  • Finalize your jurisdiction’s epi profile.
Elected Officials
Since plans are focused in particular jurisdictions, it will be important to inform, educate and seek support from city, county, state and federal elected officials. Their support is critical as plans are implemented. Not only do they help carry the message, federal elected officials vote on the 2021 Federal Budget that will hopefully include implementation funding for our important work to end an epidemic. The goal is to reduce new HIV cases by 75% in five years and we need elected officials on our side.House Appropriations Subcommittee Language
When putting together new planning bodies or using existing councils, health departments should remember the House’s subcommittee on appropriations language (see below):

Community-Based Organizations. —The Committee recognizes that community-based organizations play a crucial role because of their capacity to reach communities highly impacted by HIV. The Committee directs CDC to ensure that planning councils reflect their local epidemic by including community-based organizations and people living with HIV. The Committee further requests CDC’s progress of engaging such communities be included in the fiscal year 2021 Congressional Budget Justification.

Planning Bodies Should Reflect Their Local HIV Epidemic
While not final, the House requested that the planning bodies reflect their local HIV epidemic. They also requested a progress report about the role of community-based organizations in the CDC’s 2021 Congressional Budget Justification. This means Congress will monitor how CDC engages community. NMAC supports this action and will work with planning councils to make sure they meet Congress’s expectations. NMAC asks CDC to track demographic information on planning council members by HIV status, PrEP status, race, gender, gender identity, zip code, and sexual orientation. For most health departments these stats are a given; however, it’s not true for every jurisdiction. Zip codes are important because they often divide regions along lines of economics, race, sexual orientation, and health services.  HIV programs should be targeted to the zip codes with the largest number of PLWH. People who live in wealthier zip codes tend to have easier access to services that are missing in poorer communities. These are minimal standards and planning bodies should expand what demographics are to be shared based on their jurisdiction’s data sets and needs.

Policies and Procedures for Operation
When putting together your planning bodies, it will be important to determine policies and procedures for operation in advance of the selection process. To some this might seem insignificant, but there are people of color leaders who believe systems like Robert’s Rules of Order are a racist construct meant to minimize our voice. It is important that planning councils’ policies and procedures empower the communities the jurisdictional plans need to reach. NMAC believes race and our ability to reach people of color is core to the solution. If we include systems that are experienced as oppressive, then how can community believe in the solution.

Jurisdiction’s Epi Profile
Your jurisdiction’s epidemiological (epi) profile should be the foundation for program and funding decisions. As a result, everyone should be informed and educated about this critical information. Community needs access to HIV statics that include the race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and zip codes for the people living with HIV and people on PrEP in their jurisdictions. Most jurisdictions have this data but NMAC is concerned the information is not available in all jurisdictions. This is the minimum data to be shared. Planning councils may ask for more information like community viral load, and STDs and Hepatitis overlays. NMAC believes that work to end the HIV epidemic should also include work to end STDs and Hepatitis.

Treatment Education for Planning Body Members
Planning council members must be knowledgeable about all the components of their jurisdiction’s plan, particularly information about U=U, PrEP and their epidemiological profiles. Often data is too technical and not understood by people without graduate degrees. Our movement has lost much of its community treatment education infrastructure. NMAC believes treatment education is core to supporting planning council members, PLWH, and people on PrEP to understand the value of retention in healthcare and adherence to meds. When people know better, they do better. NMAC calls on CDC and HRSA to support Planning Councils requests for treatment education services as tools for retention and adherence.

Organizing PLWH & People on PrEP
It will also be important to support organizing by People living with HIV and People on PrEP. Peer to peer education and support is also key to adherence and retention. I don’t think the federal government wants to have the sex talk with PLWH or people on PrEP. This is better left to support groups organized for peer to peer learning and to help communities meet the goals of this initiative. Ways to organize should be left to local planning councils to determine. Some will organize along lines of race, gender, gender identity, or zip code, while others want to be part of groups that include everyone. There is not one right way to organize and communities should make their own priorities. These organized coalitions should be prioritized for the treatment education efforts noted above.

There is lots to consider. This is the first of many e-newsletters that will suggest options for health departments to consider when putting together their jurisdictional plans.  We invite everyone to send additional recommendations to Linda H. Scruggs, the director of NMAC’s Training Center to End the Epidemic. Successful planning requires that all communities highly impacted by HIV have a real seat at the table. Far too often only lip service is provided to this important need. If you are unclear about how to proceed, ask for help. Nobody has all the answers, but it’s better when we work collaboratively. NMAC is committed to your success and we are here to serve.

Yours in the struggle,

Paul Kawata
30 Years of Service

Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy 6/21/19

Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy 6/21/19

House Oversight Committee to Hold Hearing on Gilead’s Exorbitant Price for 
HIV Prevention Drug – On Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing on “HIV Prevention Drug: Billions in Corporate Profits after Millions in Taxpayer Investments.”

Gay Men of Color Fellowships in Biomedical HIV Prevention Announced

The Gay Men of Color Fellowship in Biomedical HIV Prevention trains 20 gay men of color recruited from the targeted 48 counties in the federal plan to end HIV to become educators and advocates for Biomedical HIV prevention in their communities. The fellows will participate in four educational video conferences, and trainings at the 2019 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) and 2019 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit, then train their respective communities using the information they learned. The overall program goal is to increase literacy related to biomedical HIV prevention and policy.

Thanks to Gilead for their support of this fellowship program.

Adrian Aguilar
McAllen, TX
Adrian Aguilar began his career by educating his local community on environmental issues and working as an activist in a local Stonewall chapter, starting as a member at large and ending as President. He organized town houses to see which local politicians support the LGBTQ community and if they measured up to the chapters’ ideals. For the past three years, Adrian has worked for the Valley AIDS Council as a risk reduction specialist applying intersectionality and open dialogue to serve his community.

 

Brandon Harrison
Los Angeles County
Brandon Harrison is a Project Manager and Trainer on the Performance Improvement team at the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC). Brandon provides training and technical assistance to health care organizations across the country. He has served in leadership positions implementing sexual health programs across the country in communities most impacted by health disparities. Throughout Brandon’s career, he has been diligent in raising awareness to issues such as stigma, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ issues, violence, sex work and other issues affecting vulnerable communities. Brandon remains a leader, supporter, and role model encouraging others to continue their resilience.

 

Bryon Buck, MPH
Jackson, Mississippi
Bryon Buck serves as a Researcher III in the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has worked in the HIV and STI Prevention field since 2014. Bryon received his MPH from Jackson State University in 2011 and is pursuing his DrPH under the concentration of Health Behavior, Education, and Health Promotion.

 

 

Charles (Jah’Mar)Pettiford 

Nashville, TN

Charles (Jah’Mar) Pettiford has five years of experience as a leading wellness planner to ending the HIV epidemic. Jah’Mar works at Meharry Medical College in the Department of Internal Medicine as a Prevention Coordinator where he has supervised outreach events, EIS services, PrEP navigation, referrals, and capacity building around addressing stigma against HIV/AIDS within the community. He is also a National Ambassador for the Greater Than AIDS campaign – Let’s Talk about HIV Treatment. He has overseen HIV testing events, community trainings, PrEP summits as well as assisted Georgia with its first PrEP Institute

 

Denovan Mejia

New York, NY (Queens County)
Denovan Mejia is a Honduran currently living in New York. He works for the Latino Commission on AIDS/Oasis Latino LGBTS Wellness Center as a program manager. He has been working on prevention for about five years. His program focus is on educating and linking people to PreP and PEP.

 

 

Dustin B. Baker

Los Angeles County 

Dustin Baker-HolleyDustin Baker is a native of East Orange, New Jersey and a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey. He moved to Washington DC to attend Howard University School of Divinity in 2008. Dustin served as Capacity Building Program Coordinator at NMAC. In this role Dustin provided technical assistance to local and regional non-profit organizations. Prior to NMAC, Dustin has worked in programming that provided direct care to underserved communities affected and effected by HIV/AIDS.

 

Frank Julca 

New York, New York
Frank Julca is a Peruvian-Born Sexual Health Counselor currently working at the Latino Commission on AIDS as HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral Specialist as part of CDC PS 15-1502 grant. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Baruch College, and after interning with the Commission for a semester, he became part of their CBA Department as a Research and Evaluation Assistant. He then transitioned to OASIS Wellness Center, where he serves a primarily MSM population alongside the Access to Care team.

 

Gabriel (Gabe) Bautista

Honolulu, Hawai’i

Gabriel (Gabe) Bautista was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai`i. He is an MSM Outreach Worker for Hawai`i Health and Harm Reduction Center, the new chapter of Life Foundation and The CHOW Project since 2018. Gabe is in the prevention department providing support, referrals, resources and information to people living with HIV and their partners. He does HIV testing and linkage to care. He is very passionate about his work with clients and takes personal investment of continuing support for those he encounters.

 

Gjvar Payne

East Baton Rouge Parish

Gjvar Payne has worked with the Capitol Area Reentry Program Inc., since June 2010 as a Patient Health Navigator. Gjvar has also worked with the LGBTQ community in founding a discussion group called Out of the Box to address the holistic health needs for the community. This group was an instrumental part in obtaining the CDC funded Gay Men’s Wellness Center in Baton Rouge. Gjvar currently serves as Chairman of the Baton Rouge TGA Ryan White Advisory Council, member of the Louisiana Tobacco Free Living Advisory Council, and Baton Rouge Wellness center advisory council.

 

Harlan Pruden

British Columbia

Harlan Pruden is a first Nation Cree. He works with and for the Two-Spirit community locally, nationally and internationally. Harlan is a Ph.D student at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and an Educator at the British Columbia (BC) Center for Disease Control’s Chee Mamuk program. Harlan is also the Managing Editor of the TwoSpiritJournal.com.

 

 

Jimmy Quach

San Francisco County
Jimmy Quach is a Prevention Project Coordinator for Project Ohana in the Bay with Asian American Recovery Services (AARS/HR360). He received a B.A in Psychology from San Jose State University in 2012. After graduating, he began working with AARS on a federally-funded prevention project, implementing CBT and MET in his facilitation as a project assistant. His team successfully completed two SAMHSA projects in 2015 with a retention rate of about 80% – 85% to 99% of the number of participant needed for each project cohort. His team published and presented three research posters at the American Public Health Association in 2015.

 

Jorian Veintidos

Philadelphia County 

Jorian Veintidos was born and raised in Philadelphia. He is an advocate for destigmatizing HIV and youth leadership. In the short amount of time in the field, he became part of a storytelling photograph project, The Gran Varones. He is one of the faces for Galaei’s citywide campaign, Positivo which seeks to eliminate the stigma around Gay Latino and HIV related issues, through highlighting stories, community members and spirit that embodies acceptance, pride, family, respect, beauty, and resilience. In 2016, Jorian became NYHAAD’s ambassador and Youth Resource Fellow from Advocates for Youth in Washington D.C. Later that year, he received the 2016 Dale L. Grundy Youth Leader Recipient from the University of Pennsylvania’s CFAR CAB’s 13th Annual Red Ribbon Awards.

 

José Ramon Garcia Madrid 

Maricopa County 
Arizona
Jose Ramon Garcia Madrid was born in San Buenaventura, Chihuahua, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States with his family at two years old. Growing up as a part of the undocumented immigrant community in Phoenix, Arizona is an experience that continues to inspire José’s personal and professional life. He is equally committed to work that empowers Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities who identify within LGB, Trans, Queer and Gender Non-Conforming communities.

 

José A. Romero

Durham, NC 

Jose Romero is a bilingual consultant, cultural organizer, and independent researcher living in Durham, NC. He is a graduate of the University of the Pennsylvania and the first in his family born in the “US” to working-class immigrants from Morazán, El Salvador and Michoacán, Mexico. He is the Director of Encuentro for the Latino Commission on AIDS’ inaugural Southern Gathering, an Arts & Culture Fellow for Southerners on New Ground, a Gran Varones Digital Art Fellow, a member of Durham’s first Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, and has collaborated on several immigrant defense and abolitionist campaigns across the South.

 

Kekoa Kealoha

Kailua Kona, HI

Kekoa Kealoha is the PrEP Navigator for the Hawai’i Island HIV AIDS Foundation. As a Native Hawaiian gay man, he feels strongly about the many intersecting issues that affect his community. He is an advocate for HIV care and prevention, LGBT rights, equitable healthcare access, and social justice. He serves on several levels, including the Hawai’i Statewide PrEP Working Group Leadership Committee, the Hawai’i Community Planning Group “Zero Stigma” Subcommittee to develop the statewide Getting To Zero initiative, Ka Aha Mahu (Transgender Leadership Group), NMAC’s Native Hawaiian Constituent Advisory Panel, and other community groups. He is passionate about helping marginalized and disenfranchised communities achieve health, happiness, and harmony.

 

Mark Anthony Hughes

Indianapolis, IN (Marion County) 

Mark Anthony Hughes tested positive in 1995 and has worked to improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS and to prevent transmission. He is the (3MV) Many Men Many Voices prevention coordinator at Brothers United, where he discusses cultural and social factors in HIV and STI transmission with a group of men ages 25 and older.  He helps those most vulnerable to HIV, especially Black men and women and mentors those newly diagnosed with HIV, offering a friendly ear or a ride to medical appointment and advocate for them. He helped organize the first Indiana HIV Advocacy Day at the statehouse. Throughout his advocacy he’s made it a priority to include the experiences and perspectives of people or color living with HIV.

 

Mike Gutierrez

Chicago, IL (Cook County)

Mike Gutierrez is a MexIRican Agent of Change. For the past ten years, he has worked in the healthcare and social services sectors as a HIV/STI Tester and Counselor, a PCC/Couples Counselor, Crisis Intervention Specialist, Medical Advocate, Education Prevention Advocate, and a Facilitator for an Abuse Intervention Program for those who caused harm in the form of domestic violence. Currently, he is a Ryan White Part C Medical Case Manager at the largest LGBTQ agency in the Midwest. He is passionate about working with the LGBTQ community, survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, and the Latinx community. Through community organization and advocacy, his goal is to incite change and give a voice to the marginalized communities we dedicate ourselves to helping.

 

Percival Pandy

Los Angeles County 

Percival Pandy was born and raised in Southern California. Percival is a Program Supervisor South LA for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. For the last six years he has worked with the Black and Latinx communities attempting to lower the rates of HIV amongst young people in Los Angeles. Percival also maintains the position of co-chair for the Connect to Protect Coalition of Los Angeles which convenes to address the needs of at-risk LGBT youth in the county by fostering partnerships between ASOs, CBOs, shelters, and drop in centers. During his time in public health, Percival, with the help of the coalition has developed “Dress for Success” a pop-up shop that helps to remove the shame and stigma for youth who are homeless and/or impoverished to access professional clothing for interviews.

 

Steven Tamayo

Austin, TX (Travis County) 

Steven Tamayo is from Austin, TX. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2014. He has worked in HIV prevention since 2015, working previously with The Q Austin, an Mpowerment program of AIDS Services of Austin, and now most recently with Texas Health Action’s The Kind Clinic. His experience ranges from outreach and testing to education and group facilitation.

 

Wally Soto

Puerto Rico (San Juan Municipio) 

Wally Soto lives in Puerto Rico and is 43 years old. He earned his degree in psychology and has been a tattoo artist for the last 7 years. He has also worked with Coai, Inc. for 10 years in the Aché TOP program (Taking on Prevention) with LatinX MSM and collaborating with other organizations such as the health department of Puerto Rico. He oversees testing for HIV and linkage to care. He is passionate about health and art.

 

 

 

That Time They Screamed “Faggot”

Too many of us in the LGBTQ community can tell stories about a car full of strangers that screams “faggot, dyke or tranny”. This shared experience is all too common and a rite of passage for many in the queer community. Understanding the values and culture of the diverse LGBTQ communities is core to our efforts to reach the 400,000 people living with HIV who have fallen out of care or are unaware of their HIV status and the one million people we hope to get on PrEP.

As we start to build plans to end the domestic HIV epidemic, unfortunately gay men make-up 66% or the majority of the people living with HIV (CDC). This number is off because the CDC continues to count transgender people living with HIV with gay men. It’s time for the CDC to separate the transgender community epi profile from that of gay men, at least in the 57 federally targeted jurisdictions.  The HIV community has been making that request since the 90’s. U=U and PrEP efforts targeting gay men do not speak to the transgender community and visa versa.

Here is what we do know about transgender people living with HIV. According to a CDC meta-analysis, from 2009-2014, 2,351 transgender Americans were diagnosed with HIV. 84% were trans women and 14% were trans men. Half of these cases happened in the South. Among transgender women living with HIV, 51% are African American, 29% are Latinas, 11% are white and 9% are other. CDC did not list the percentages for American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians or Pacific Islanders.

What the transgender and gay communities have in common is a shared experience of prejudice and discrimination. However, as a gay men I will never fully understand what it means to be transgender in America, but that does not mean I can’t support and stand in solidarity with these allies. When NMAC fights for communities that are highly impacted by HIV, that means we are fighting for gay men, the transgender community, black women, Latinas and drug users.

Just last year a car full of strangers shouted “faggot” at me. I abruptly turned around and said, “that’s Mr. Faggot to you!” As their car started to slow down, I immediately regretted my mouth. I am 5ft. 6 in. on a good day, so that was probably not the safest thing for me to say. These are crazy times and I’ve had to learn to not take my safety for granted. As I started to cross the street, the car made a turn into my cross walk. Not knowing what to do, I blocked the car from passing. Then I got my smartphone and took a picture of the license plate. The car quickly speed off and my heart was beating like a drum.

Solutions to ending the HIV epidemic are not as simple as linking folks to healthcare and giving them a prescription for meds. If it was that simple, we could have done it a long time ago. Solutions to ending the HIV epidemic require us to reach communities that have eluded previous efforts. To speak to people who daily face discrimination and even hatred for being themselves. That’s why I tell my federal white cisgender male friends that we have different roles in ending HIV.  Just as I will never understand what it means to be transgender in America, you will never understand what it means to be gay, particularly a gay man of color, particularly a feminine gay man of color with a big mouth. On the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, I invite you to march with me so we can stand in solidarity. I also ask you to understand that it is nothing personal, but sometimes we need to listen and leave the leadership to the communities we need to reach. Happy Pride!

Yours in the struggle,

Paul Kawata
30 Years of Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy 6/14/19

Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy 6/14/19

House Oversight Committee to Hold Hearing on Gilead’s Exorbitant Price for 
HIV Prevention Drug – On Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing on “HIV Prevention Drug: Billions in Corporate Profits after Millions in Taxpayer Investments.”

The CDC RFA Is Here!

Last week CDC released funding announcement PS19-1906 for the 57 jurisdictions to accelerate HIV planning to end the HIV epidemic. The biggest challenge will be time. Responses are due in 30 days and local plans to end the epidemic are needed by the end of the year.

While the announcement is restricted to select jurisdictions, NMAC hopes everyone working to end the epidemic will read the announcement because it outlines the values and principles for the federal effort. Component A was clearly written for NASTAD and Component B was written for 32 health departments that are eligible to apply for this funding. While 57 jurisdictions are targeted, only 32 awards will be made because funding is going to state health departments who will trickle down the support to the targeted counties.

NMAC wonders why Ryan White Part A jurisdictions were not used to support this effort. We are concerned that in some states, there are no funding relationships between the state health department and the jurisdiction being targeted. It will take time and money to set up these systems when HRSA already has funding relationships with 56 of the 57 jurisdictions. It should also be noted that some state health departments may not have the infrastructure to put together their jurisdictional plan. NMAC supports subcontracts to community-based organizations to lead these tasks. In Florida, the health department is considering contracting with the AIDS Institute. We support this innovation because the learning curve is too steep if you don’t have HIV programs or the infrastructure to manage this effort.

Some of the jurisdictions have already completed their planning. Peer to peer learning means communities do not have to reinvent the wheel. NMAC is working with AIDS United, NASTAD, NSCD and the AIDS Institute to scholarship all 57 jurisdictions to this year’s United States Conference on AIDS. Our goal is to bring national, federal, and local leaders together to discuss how to build comprehensive local plans.

PS10-1906 will be funded by September 30, 2019. The 57 jurisdictions will be asked to turn around their plans to end the epidemic in the next 60-90 days. The short turn-around time is necessary because the HHS 2021 budget request needs to be at the White House by the end of 2019. We’ve been told HHS will ask for up to one billion dollars in new funding to support the initiatives prioritized in the 57 jurisdictional plans. In other words, your plans are really important.

Linda K. ScruggsThe Partnership to End the Epidemics wants to support health departments to put together their plans. At the meeting with the 57 jurisdictions, we will discuss ways our national organizations can support your efforts. NMAC believes that our ability to address race and HIV will be core to our efforts to end the epidemic. If you need support putting together either your response to PS10-1906 or your plan to end the epidemic, please contact Linda H. Scruggs, the director of the NMAC Training Center to End the HIV Epidemic.

Effective plans must speak to the 400,000 PLWH who have fallen out of care or are unaware of their HIV status and the 1.1 million people the plan hopes to retain on PrEP. Retention in healthcare and adherence to meds it not simply a matter of seeing a doctor and getting a prescription. If it was that easy, we would have already ended HIV. Our efforts need to reach some of the most marginalized in America. Too many people over 50 living with HIV suffer from isolation that leads to depression. If our work is limited to linkages to healthcare and access to meds, we will miss the target. What does it take to help someone who suffers from post-traumatic stress because they are a transgender person of color living with HIV who is homeless and does sex work to survive? That is the reality for too many that we need to reach.

For community members in targeted jurisdictions, now is the time to work with your health department to put together the application and the local plan to end the epidemic. You may need to fight for a seat at the table. Build coalitions with other communities highly impacted by HIV to ensure that your mutual issues are prioritized. These plans need to reach communities that have eluded previous efforts. There must be people living with HIV, people of color, gay men, the transgender community, women, people on PrEP, and former drug users at the table. Health departments need to understand that many marginalized communities do not have experience sitting on planning bodies. They will need technical assistance and support to be part of the process.

We are making history as we work to end an epidemic without a vaccine or a cure. NMAC desperately wants you to succeed. We are not just building pathways to ending an epidemic, we are also learning how to reach communities that are far too often overlooked and underserved. Thank you for making the impossible possible.

Yours in the struggle,

Paul Kawata
30 Years of Service

50+ Mini Grants Bring Results

HIV 50+ - Strong & HealthyEach year, NMAC awards mini grants to members of the 50+ Strong & Healthy Program to plan and implement HIV education programming or social activities for long term HIV survivors. This year’s mini grant recipients included:

Bryan Jones and Michelle Jackson-Rollins, Garden Valley Neighborhood House, Cleveland, OH

Sankofa Self-Advocacy Retreat- Brought those aging with HIV together with other generations of those living with HIV to gain education and self-care while learning to interact on a personal and professional level.

PLWHA over 50 were paired with a younger PLWHA and throughout the retreat participants attended workshops, social activities, and told their personal stories. The retreat was held from April 12-14, 2019 at the Stanford House in the Cuyahoga Valley in Peninsula, Ohio.

Christine Kapiioho, Maui AIDS Foundation, Waiuku, HI

“Healthy Living for 50+ HIV Individuals” was a half day event focusing on two topics (Nutritional supplements and acupuncture). The event was held on March 30, 2019 at the Maui AIDS Foundation in Wailuku, HI.

Debra Parmer, Northeast Ohio African American Health Network, Arkron, OH

Celebration of Life Workshop and Evening Dinner was a one-day, eight-hour workshop held for people aging with HIV/AIDS. The workshop was held on Saturday, February 16 in Akron, Ohio. Participants learned information concerning advances in HIV treatment, avoiding the development of co-morbidities such as diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure by ensuring good dietary and physical fitness habits are practiced as a means of prevention. Participants also enjoyed an evening of fun activities including line dancing, exercise and soft tissue massages.

Janice Shirley, Carolina Care Partnership, Charlotte, NC

“Thriving at 50+” brought together different agencies to empower individuals living with HIV and over the age of 50. The program held seven workshops over the course of six months focused on topics such as medication management, exercise, nutrition, mental health and finances. The workshops were held at the Carolina Care Partnership in Charlotte, NC.

Jared Hafen, Utah AIDS Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT

Positive Force: The Reunion is a social support group for people over 50 years old who are living with HIV. This event was held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 in downtown Salt Lake City, UT. Participants mingled with their peers and learned coping strategies around HIV. Positive Force was established in 2016 as a social group for people living with HIV over 50 years old. It is an active group with over 80 members.

Kneeshe Parkinson, Positive Women’s Network (PWN-USA), St. Louis, MO

IMPACT Party: Strong and Healthy included interactive workshop sessions to enhance, educate and empower the lives of those HIV+ 50 diagnosed with HIV/AIDS to eradicate STIGMA and improve quality of life with a meaningful impact. Workshops focused on “living your best life” and social activities such as painting and a head wrapping demonstration. The workshops were held from January to April 2019 in Saint Louis, MO.

Michele Princeton, AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, OH

50+ Positive Change Two-Day Retreat provided participants insight for living and surviving with HIV and related challenges. It also provided opportunities to connect socially and emotionally with others in similar situations. The retreat offered structured workshops, panel discussions, dancing and lunch and learn activities. The retreat was held on March 15-16, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Nancy Shearer, Special Service for Groups, Inc./ APAIT, Los Angeles, CA

Spring Social: Bringing Older Adults People Living with HIV (PLWH) Together was a multi-component program focusing on Addressing Social Isolation among adults ages 50 and over living with HIV, identifying as heterosexual. During this event, individuals were able to share their stories, learn best practices for their health and well-being and build their social network. The Spring Social was held on March 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA.

Robert Cornelius, Cempa Community Care (Chattanooga CARES), Chattangooga, TN

The Survivors Network program connected those individuals living with HIV over the age of 50 to education and resources needed to learn valuable life skills. The program had five sessions held from January to May 2019 filled with sharing stories, how to address stress and isolation, and learning about HIV drug resistance.

Patricia Kelly, Carla Rose Foundation for a Family Affair, Orangeburg, SC

Raising our Awareness and Representation (ROAR) was a two-day retreat aimed at bringing together women living with HIV. Women from South Carolina and Georgia attended the retreat from February 22-24, 2019. Session topics included how to address grief and loss, living wills and power of attorney, and mental health. The retreat also included fun social events such lunch socials and open discussions.

Angel Luis-Hernandez, Ministerio en Jehova Seran Provistos, Arecibo, PR

Foro Communitario Lo Mejor de Nosotros: 50+ Positivos, Fuertos y Saludables facilitated a working experience for two scholars to be mentored in event coordination skills for developing a community forum on HIV and aging. The scholars were mentored by the organization and the event was held on April 5, 2019 at a nearby restaurant. It was a successful three-hour event where the social, clinical and social and psychological aspects of HIV and aging were discussed.

Teresa Sullivan, Philadelphia FIGHT, Philadelphia, PA

We are Stronger Together Building an HIV 50+ Alliance is a series of workshops and educational events created for the HIV 50+ population. These workshops were held from January to April 2019 in Philadelphia, PA. The attendees were recruited from the pilot TEACH (Treatment Education Activists Combating HIV) Alumni group. Workshops included social events (such as self-love and karaoke), mental health workshops, and a health fair.

Michael G. Smith, New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, Santa Fe, NM

Phx Rising: 2.0: Work, Financial Stability, and Aging with HIV/AIDS created a website to address issues related to Work, Financial Stability, and Aging with HIV/AIDS. Michael Smith worked with a volunteer to do service provider focus groups and analysis to improve the website. A report was submitted with recommendations for re-design of the site.

Miguel Delgado-Ramos, COSSMA, Inc., Cidra, PR

“VIHVIENDO Fuerte y Saludable”/ “Living Strong and Healthy” was held on May 3, 2019 at the Morivivi Hall of the Four Points Hotel in Puerto Rico. The event had 4 sessions focused on Emotional Health, Physical Health, Finance and process of creating a support group. The event was very successful and created an interest to develop a support group with participants who attended.

Esther Ross, Circle of Friends Task Force, NC

The LAMPS (Leaders, Advocating, Mentoring, other leaders for Personal Growth and Support) Project educated 5 persons of color living with HIV (POCLHI) using the Building Leaders of Color (BLOC) curriculum. Trainings were held from February to May 2019 and included BLOC modules on the Ryan White program and leadership, review of GIPA/MIPA, and transformational leadership.

Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy 6/7/19

Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy 6/7/19

House Oversight Committee to Hold Hearing on Gilead’s Exorbitant Price for 
HIV Prevention Drug – On Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing on “HIV Prevention Drug: Billions in Corporate Profits after Millions in Taxpayer Investments.”

2020 USCA Oct 10-13, 2020 San Juan, Puerto Rico

The United States Conference on AIDS is proud to announce our 2020 meeting will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 10-13. NMAC is going to San Juan to bring A) much needed economic development, B) highlight HIV in the Latinx community, and C) to experience a city where English is the second language.

 

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico and devastated the island. Eighteen months later, they still need economic development. According to the San Juan Convention Bureau, “USCA will provide jobs for over 1,000 people during the week of the conference.” Tourism is the lifeblood for the region; however, people have not returned in the same numbers. Like NMAC did after Katerina, USCA is going to the island to support our friends and the economic development of the region. We expect everyone from New Orleans to show-up and show-out for their colleagues in San Juan.

Prior to selecting San Juan, NMAC confirmed with HRSA and CDC that their grantees could attend. The agency appreciates their support. Since San Juan is one of the prioritized jurisdictions, it’s a great opportunity to learn about their plans to end the epidemic. The meeting was delayed until October 10-13 to be away from the peak of hurricane season.  New 2020 Program Partners include the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Prevention Access Campaign.

According to the CDC, Latinx gay men passed white gay men with the second-highest number of new HIV diagnosis in 2016. 7,689 (29%) Latinx gay were diagnosed with HIV in 2016 compared to 7,392 (28%) for White gay men and 10,226 (38%) for African American gay men. This report did not list the numbers of gay American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Pacific Islanders. The number of people living with HIV in the transgender community are included with gay men; as a result, there is not a clear picture of the impact of HIV on the Latinx transgender community.

2020 USCA will focus on language and culture and their impact on retention in healthcare and adherence of meds. USCA attendees will be part of a community where English is the second language. The conference will offer some workshops only in Spanish. Like some clients, attendees can experience what it means to have limited understanding of the discussions.

NMAC wants to thank the activists and community-based organizations on the island. We did not want to add to their burden, so the decision to hold USCA in Puerto Rico was ultimately theirs to affirm. Overwhelmingly, they voted “yes” to bring USCA to San Juan, not only for economic development, but also to raise the visibility of HIV in this priority jurisdiction.

 

The Conference will be held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. While USCA does not typically use convention centers, it was the only space that could hold the meeting. The main conference hotel is the Sheraton Puerto Rico. In addition, we have rooms at the Caribe Hilton. Many people have fond memories of this hotel. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the hurricane. The Caribe Hilton just reopened on May 15.

For some, getting to Puerto Rico will be a big sacrifice. Thanks to our constituents from Hawaii, Guam, and the Pacific Islands. NMAC appreciates your continued commitment and support. Puerto Rico is part of the United States, but some jurisdictions think it’s foreign travel. Please feel free to ask for an invite letter to justify your attendance. USCA has the opportunity to bring economic development to a community in need, learn about the HIV epidemic in the Latinx community, and experience a city where English is the second language. Gracias.

Yours in the struggle,

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Kawata
30 Years of Service
This photo of me and Rafael Acosta was taken at a reception that Jose Toro and the Fundacion Sida de Puerto Rico hosted for NMAC in Old San Juan.