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
COUNTY
CASES
RATE
1. Dallas
14,039
581.9
2. Harris
19,810
493.2
3. Travis
3,844
394.5
4. Jefferson
799
328.2
5. 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
691
238.9
10. 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
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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
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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?