Community Ownership of HIV in the Golden Triangle Ingrid Holmes Public Health Director

Decreasing HIV Rates in Jefferson County Where we were Where we are Where we are going

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

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

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)

Statistical Information People Living with HIV Through December 31, 2009 COUNTYCASESRATE 1.Dallas14, Harris19, Travis3, Jefferson Garza Houston Bexar4, Gregg Potter Galveston

Current Collaborative Efforts Relating 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

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

Role of Public Health and How 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.

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

Community Events

Collaborative Efforts

Collaboration and Coalitions Must be EMBRACED Not FORCED

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.

Collaboration Through Coalition Building Create Connect Commit Celebrate

A Success Story

Collaboration

Act F.A.S.T. Campaign

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

Dialogue

Collaboration Through Coalition Building Create Connect Commit Celebrate

Identify Community Needs What are the next steps?