2012 was a year of firsts for the National Minority AIDS Council. We marked our 25th anniversary. We submitted our first ever amicus brief in the Supreme Court challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). At this year’s United States Conference on AIDS, we held the inaugural Summit to End HIV/AIDS in America, and unveiled the historic Declaration to End HIV/AIDS in America.
But most importantly, we continued our critical work building the capacity of minority-based and minority-serving institutions across the country, while helping them prepare for the transformations that will come with implementation of health care reform and high impact prevention.
With ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act, continued budget battles in Congress, a shifting treatment paradigm and many other questions facing our community, NMAC is dedicated to continuing to build the capacity of minority-based and minority-serving institutions. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for each of our divisions at NMAC.
Division of Community Advancement and Leadership Strategies (D-CALS)
Our D-CALS division works to increase the efficiency and competency of community-based organizations’ operations in addressing HIV/AIDS in their service areas. In 2013, D-CALS will continue to deliver assistance in the form of technical assistance, trainings, webinars and through our recently launched NMAC Learning Lab and Resource Library.
If your organization wants to better understand how to address its local HIV epidemics, please click here to request assistance.
Division of Conferences and Meeting Services (CMS)
Our CMS division is working hard preparing for the 2013 U.S. Conference on AIDS in New Orleans, Louisiana, scheduled for September 8 – 11. With so many challenges ahead of our community, this meeting is critical to facilitating the exchange of ideas and improving our collective response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America.
As the event-planning arm of NMAC, CMS is also offering their services to individuals and organizations who are seeking seasoned expertise in event and meeting planning. To inquire about our meeting planning offerings, please email us at conferences@nmac.org.
Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA)
Our LPA division heads NMAC’s advocacy efforts, promoting sound national healthcare policy with a focus on issues related to HIV/AIDS, access to care and social justice as they impact communities of color. With so many legislative challenges ahead in the New Year, LPA will continue to advocate for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in spaces of public discourse and in the halls of Congress and the White House.
Treatment Education, Adherence and Mobilization (TEAM)
Our TEAM division is growing! With the addition of new, key staff members, TEAM will continue to promote leadership in enabling communities of color to access HIV counseling and testing services with the goal of curbing new infections among of communities of color.