IACHA New Member ORIENTATION GUIDE

IACHA BACKGROUND In 1994, Idaho embraced a community planning process to assist in the development of a plan targeting HIV prevention efforts to those populations at greatest risk for HIV transmission (at this point, known as the Idaho Prevention Planning Group) In 2003, this group expanded to address the care-related needs of people living with HIV and AIDS (at this point, known as the Idaho Care and Prevention Council) In 2007, to better integrate the spectrum of concerns and issues related to HIV and AIDS, the council once again underwent a name change, becoming the Idaho Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS (IACHA)

IACHA’s Purpose IACHA is a statewide community planning group whose purpose is to facilitate an ongoing statewide participatory process. There is shared responsibility of members and the HIV, STD and Hepatitis Program staff for developing and implementing comprehensive plans for HIV/AIDS prevention and care. This statewide process is committed to engaging local communities to ensure all affected communities are represented and reflective of varying values, norms and behaviors. IACHA also includes viral hepatitis planning on a more limited scale. The Idaho Viral Hepatitis Prevention develops goals and strategies to guide viral hepatitis prevention work in Idaho and these activities are presented to IACHA for adoption into the State HIV/Viral Hepatitis Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan.

IACHA’s Role The role of IACHA is to interface with HSHP, HIV/AIDS prevention and care providers, and other involved parties to ensure a collaborative planning process that addresses the needs of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWH/A) and those affected by this work. Role of each individual member: Make a commitment to the groups process and it’s results; Be prepared for and attend meetings; Undertake special tasks as requested by IACHA and agreed to by the member; Promote IACHA and it’s projects; Work to accomplish and support parity, inclusion and representation (PIR) within IACHA; Participate in all group discussions and in process evaluation activities.

IACHA Membership The IACHA Membership Committee is charged with ensuring inclusion, parity and representation of the membership. Ideally, IACHA membership includes the following: Persons infected with HIV Persons representing populations at risk of HIV HIV care and prevention providers Health department representatives Educators Persons with expertise in behavioral science, substance abuse, corrections, health planning, epidemiology and evaluation

IACHA Member Expenses IACHA members traveling from out of the immediate meeting area and who require over night accommodations will receive reimbursement for transportation to meetings, lodging and per diem Eligible expenses will be covered by HSHP Additional information will be provided to qualifying members

IACHA Guidelines for Success IACHA has adopted the following rules to aid in keeping the group functioning efficiently and effectively during meetings: Guidelines for all participants (voting members, technical assistance providers, guests): Meetings will start and end on time Follow the agenda; stay on task and be decision-focused Respect differences and opinions Respect confidentially Refrain from side conversations Ask questions to clarify your concerns Consider all viewpoints as uniquely valid Participate actively Use “I” statements (For example, “I fee ___when/because____.)

Stats: HIV and AIDS in Idaho Source: Idaho FY 2016 Epidemiologic Profile 1,551 individuals are presumed living with HIV or AIDS in Idaho (reported through 12/31/2014) The majority of Idaho HIV/AIDS cases are male, 83% The majority of individuals reported presumed living with HIV/AIDS by race/ethnicity are non-Hispanic whites (74%) Slightly less than half (47%) of those presumed living with HIV/AIDS reported MSM as their mode of exposure The year diagnosis age group made up two thirds (66%) of those presumed living with HIV/AIDS

Glossary of Acronyms ADAP - AIDS Drug Assistance Program CDC - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention HRH - High Risk Heterosexual HRSA - Health Resources and Services Administration HSHP - HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Programs IACHA - Idaho Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS IDU - Injection Drug Users MSM - Men who have Sex with Men PIR - Parity, Inclusion, and Representation