Community Ownership of HIV

in the Golden Triangle

Ingrid HolmesPublic Health

Director

Decreasing HIV Ratesin 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 InformationPeople Living with HIV

Through December 31, 2009COUNTY CASES RATE

1. Dallas 14,039 581.9

2. Harris 19,810 493.2

3. Travis 3,844 394.5

4. Jefferson 799 328.25. Garza 16 307.5

6. Houston 69 283.4

7. Bexar 4,473 277.3

8. Gregg 333 273.9

9. Potter 315 252.0

10. Galveston 691 238.9

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 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.

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

ASuccess

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?