Coordination/Community Planning

New York State AIDS Advisory Council

Program Description

The New York State AIDS Advisory Council (AAC) was created in 1983 by Public Health Law, Article 27-E. The AAC is responsible for advising the Commissioner of Health and the AIDS Institute and for making recommendations regarding the State’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

There are seventeen appointed Council members whose affiliations include educational and medical institutions; local health departments; nonprofit organizations, including the advocacy and service communities; legislators; and persons living with HIV/AIDS. The Governor appoints nine AAC members; three members are appointed by the Senate Majority Leader and three by the Speaker of the Assembly; two members are appointed by the Assembly and Senate Minority Leaders. The Governor designates the Chairperson of the AAC. No terms of office are specified in the authorizing legislation. AAC members receive no compensation for their services.

Council meetings are mandated to be held at least quarterly; currently the Council meets at least four times per year. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairperson. All meetings of the Council are open to the public.

The Council’s accomplishments include the development and evaluation of the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP); the recommendation for formation of the Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS which was created through an Executive Order in 1997; and the many reports developed and circulated including "Principles on HIV Testing of Defendants in Certain Crimes" (1996); "Report on Needle Exchange Programs and Deregulation of Needles and Syringes" (1996); "Report of the Ethical Issues in Access to HIV Treatment Workgroup" (1998); "Findings of the HIV Surveillance Workgroup" (1998); "Report on HIV/AIDS Services in New York State Correctional Facilities" (1999); "Communities at Risk: HIV/AIDS in Communities of Color" (2001); "Report on Syringe Access in New York State" (2005); and "Women in Peril, HIV & AIDS, The Rising Toll on Women of Color" (2005).

Contact:

Mona Scully
Deputy Director
HIV Health Care and Policy
(518) 474-6399
mas13@health.state.ny.us

Back to top of page

New York State Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS

Program Description

On September 10, 1997, Governor Pataki issued an Executive Order creating an Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS to more effectively coordinate AIDS-related policies and activities among New York State agencies. The Task Force was constituted for a two-year period.

The Task Force was charged with responsibilities including identification of areas of duplication and fragmentation among agencies and development of a plan to address problems; to promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness; and to educate state agency personnel on HIV/AIDS issues. The Task Force was also directed to establish a collaborative relationship with the New York State AIDS Advisory Council. A significant outcome of the Task Force has been an ongoing forum for extensive information sharing, networking and collaboration on HIV/AIDS issues by a broad array of state agencies. Task Force meetings continue to increase awareness of emerging issues related to HIV/AIDS and to identify areas of common concern and mechanisms for effective intra-agency collaboration.

Despite the fact that the official term of the Task Force expired in 1999, the Task Force has continued to meet periodically to provide a forum to facilitate continued intra-agency collaborations. Examples of issues that have been addressed by the Task Force include: faith-based prevention efforts; HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination; prevention education for youth in criminal justice settings; and updates on HIV case reporting and partner notification.

Task force membership includes the commissioners and directors, or their designees, of all State agencies that serve individuals or groups at risk for HIV infection and AIDS:

  • Office of Children and Family Services
  • Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
  • Office of Mental Health
  • Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Correctional Services
  • Division of Housing and Community Renewal
  • Division of Parole
  • Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
  • Division of the Budget
  • Division of Criminal Justice Services
  • Division of Human Rights
  • Council on Children and Families
  • Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
  • Commission of Correction
  • Department of Labor
  • Department of Law
  • Division of Veterans' Affairs
  • Governor's Office of Employee Relations
  • Advocate's Office for Persons with Disabilities
  • Crime Victims Board
  • Insurance Department
  • Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

Contact:

Nancy Brandt
Office of Planning and Policy
(518) 473-7542
nab01@health.state.ny.us

Back to top of page

Community Development Initiative (CDI)

Program Description

The Community Development Initiative (CDI) raises HIV/AIDS awareness and supports communities of color in addressing HIV-related issues affecting their communities.

Through the CDI, providers:

  • establish leadership networks to mobilize a community-based response to the HIV epidemic;
  • identify community needs and develop strategies in response to issues identified;
  • develop and implement interventions designed to increase awareness, build community support for safe behaviors, and provide priority communities with general information about HIV/AIDS programs and services; and
  • develop and implement interventions aimed at reducing risk behaviors by impacting community norms, attitudes, and practices.

There are thirteen CDI funded agencies. These agencies have a history of serving communities of color, expertise in HIV/AIDS and a strong ability to work collaboratively with other local health and human service providers. Each CDI has developed an area of emphasis which is either geographically or population-based. CDIs also address specific emerging community issues. CDI programs currently target communities of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans. Interventions aim to reach men of color who have sex with men, incarcerated individuals, substance users, adolescents, families, heterosexual men and women, young women with children, and other communities at increased risk of HIV infection.

CDIs have organized AIDS Leadership Coalitions (ALCs), composed of community leaders who represent priority populations and/or a geographic area. It is the responsibility of the ALCs to identify HIV-related emerging needs of the priority populations and strategies that will raise awareness and address the identified needs. CDIs also work collaboratively with other HIV and non-HIV service providers to successfully implement these strategies.

CDIs closely monitor policy at the national, state, and local levels with a focus on laws and regulations that impact people who are HIV infected or those at risk. CDIs provide recommendations to policymakers and act as a source of information for their communities. CDIs continue to be actively involved in activities at the state and national levels to address the devastating impact of the HIV epidemic on communities of color.

Contact:

Bethsabet Justiniano
Director, Bureau of Community Based Services
Division of HIV Prevention
(518) 486-1412
bxj03@health.state.ny.us

Back to top of page

New York State HIV Prevention Planning Group (PPG)

Program Description

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires a Community Planning Process for states, cities and territories receiving CDC funding. In 1994, consistent with the Supplemental Guidance on HIV Prevention Community Planning and other documents issued by the CDC, the AIDS Institute established the NYS HIV Prevention Planning Group (PPG). The PPG is specifically designed to facilitate a collaborative process between the community and the New York State Department of Health. The PPG is constructed to facilitate participation by communities across the state and to provide a broad range of views to advise the AIDS Institute about programs that will be most successful in preventing HIV infection. This participatory community planning model has become an integral component of New York State's comprehensive HIV prevention program.

The PPG is an inclusive community planning group, with participation by people of varying races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and ages as well as individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and professions. Participation by representatives of populations most affected by HIV/AIDS in New York State is encouraged and supported. Members come from all regions of the state. An individual becomes a full member of the PPG through appointment by the Commissioner of Health. Other PPG participants include community advisors and state agency representatives, further broadening input and involvement.
The primary responsibilities of the PPG are to utilize HIV prevention-related needs assessments to determine HIV prevention priorities and develop an HIV Prevention Plan for the State. This plan is submitted to the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute and helps guide HIV prevention program funding and strategies.
The PPG's mission statement, as adopted by the PPG in July 1997, reads as follows:

The New York State HIV Prevention Planning Group, in partnership with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, is dedicated to reducing the incidence of HIV and its consequences by:

  • ensuring ongoing input from the diverse communities of New York State that are infected, affected and impacted by HIV/AIDS;
  • designing, developing, reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of a comprehensive HIV prevention plan;
  • responding to a changing epidemic by identifying and continuing to meet existing and unmet needs;
  • ensuring that communities receive technical assistance and adequate resources; and
  • ensuring both primary and secondary prevention of HIV infection.

Inherent in the process of effective community planning is maintenance of linkages with other advisory bodies whose missions incorporate many issues the PPG is charged with addressing. An ongoing linkage with the New York City PPG, first established in 1994, has continued during each ensuing planning cycle. The New York State PPG also maintains linkages with the New York State AIDS Advisory Council and the Statewide AIDS Service Delivery Consortium.

The PPG engages in numerous planning activities, including its focus on communities of color most affected by HIV/AIDS, in order to effect successful HIV prevention recommendations. It encourages community education and research, and continued knowledge translation through members’ participation in national HIV prevention-related meetings and conferences.

The 2005-2010 New York State Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan is a user-friendly document designed to assist providers in the development programs. The Plan includes information on how to use the document, HIV intervention tools, and a chapter on New York State HIV Prevention priorities as recommended by the New York State PPG. The plan is available online.

Contact:

Wendy Shotsky
Director, HIV Prevention Planning Group
(518) 473-8484
wjs03@health.state.ny.us

Back to top of page

Faith Communities Project

Program Description

The Faith Communities Project was developed in recognition of the significant role faith communities play in HIV/AIDS prevention and support/care efforts. The goal of the Faith Communities Project is to advance HIV prevention efforts in communities that are hardest-hit by the HIV epidemic through information sharing, collaboration and partnerships between communities of faith and community-based organizations.

Since early in the HIV epidemic, the AIDS Institute recognized the importance of involving diverse sectors of communities in HIV/AIDS prevention and care efforts. Because prevention programs must be broad-based, faith settings are ideal for the implementation of HIV programs serving hard-to-reach populations.

Historically, the AIDS Institute has contracted with various faith-based agencies to meet the HIV prevention needs of individuals, families, and communities reflecting various racial/ethnic groups, cultures, and languages. By 2001, there were 13 faith-based organizations receiving grant funding to provide HIV prevention interventions and client services.

In November of 2001, the AIDS Institute hosted a two-day statewide forum, "Meeting on Common Ground: The Role of Faith Based Communities in HIV/AIDS," in New York City. The forum brought together representatives of faith communities serving racial/ethnic minorities; HIV/AIDS service providers and volunteers; people living with HIV/AIDS; and representatives from non-AIDS specific organizations. Participants identified specific regional needs and committees were developed to address issues and initiate planning. Regional committees developed action plans that indicate needs and specify specific tasks to be completed.

Since then, regional committees have met, designed and implemented activities that directly relate to meeting needs described in the action plans. Activities implemented include: HIV awareness events; capacity-building workshops; presentations to faith leaders, community representatives, and local community forums; open dialogues; clergy roundtable discussions; and meetings to network and continue to support partnerships.

In April of 2008, in collaboration with the Office of Minority Health Resources Center of the United State Department of Health and Human Services, the AIDS Institute convened faith leaders, community based organizations and persons impacted by HIV/AIDS for the second statewide faith forum entitled:
"Responding to the Call: Faith Communities' Response to HIV/AIDS" in Poughkeepsie. The forum recognized faith communities’ response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic and engaged faith leaders in dialogue on issues that continue to challenge HIV prevention and health care efforts, such as the spirit of sexuality and stigma and discrimination.

The Faith Communities Project continues, with the guidance of community faith representatives, to foster regional partnerships, support information sharing, and identify resources to further HIV prevention and health care efforts in New York State.

Contact:

Carol Tyrell
Faith Communities Project Coordinator
Division of HIV Prevention
(518) 473-2300
cot01@health.state.ny.us