We are always looking for new partners. We cannot do this work alone and value the expertise you bring to the table! You do not have to have any special degree or job title, we welcome community members who are experts on their own experience and who have an interest in helping to end the HIV epidemic in their local communities. We have several ways to get involved, so you can find what works best for you.
The Planning Body is really a coalition of people working to end the HIV Epidemic in Louisiana, as well as the primary decision-making body for our statewide efforts.
Planning Body meetings are open to everyone who is interested in/a part of Ending the HIV Epidemic in Louisiana, including members of movements that intersect with ours. We hold quarterly meetings, which are a great place to get updates on what we and our partners are doing, to share concerns and brainstorm solutions to issues you and your organization or community might be facing.
*The Planning Body will be composed of community members, people living with HIV, health care providers, and health department, service agency, and community-based organization representatives, including but not limited to those working with HOPWA, LPCA, SAMHSA, and Ryan White Parts A-F.
The Core Team will be the driving force behind GLL planning and oversight. This team will anchor us to our mission and keep the rest of the Planning Body on track. Membership on the Core Team requires a slightly higher level of time and commitment. Core Team members attend quarterly Planning Body and monthly Core Team meetings, as well as additional planning meetings as scheduled/needed. There are a limited number of seats on the Core Team, however the larger Planning Body will have a chance to weigh in on any decisions/activities proposed by the Core Team.
Core Team Seats:
- Community members (minimum of 2)*
- Subcommittee chairpersons (5)
- Health Department staff (1)
- EHE Jurisdictional representatives (2=one from New Orleans and one from Baton Rouge)
- Ryan White Part B representative (Regional representatives)
- Ryan White Part F (AETC/HOPWA) representative (1)
- CDC-funded Prevention representative (1)
- Hepatitis C/Drug User Health representative (1)
- Women with a Vision staff (1)
To ensure the success of our plan, we need regional representation to ensure we are getting feedback about the needs and experiences throughout the state and to help us make the plan a reality for all!
*With new membership, we will assess schedules and adjust meeting times as needed.
Access to Care and Smaller Cities
*Meeting info: 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 1pm: https://zoom.us/j/724563806
Chair: OPEN
This committee will oversee activities outlined in the Access to Care and Supportive Services and Smaller Cities and Rural Communities sections of the Get Loud Louisiana work plan. They will continue to make recommendations for improving access and linkage to care and other support services (including mental health care, treatment for substance abuse, housing and transportation assistance, case management, etc.) that facilitate retention in care and greater health and wellbeing for PLWH. They will pay special attention to the unique needs of those living outside of larger cities (specifically, Baton Rouge and New Orleans) and how strategies and activities required to address prevention, education, support PLWH and access to services may differ from those utilized in more metropolitan areas.
Community Engagement and Leadership
*Meeting info: 3rd Thursday of the Month, 2pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/435352527
Chair: Sonya Milliman, Capital Area Re-Entry Program
This committee will in large part oversee implementation of activities outlined in the Community Building with PLWH and Allies section of the plan. They will work on increasing engagement and ownership of PLWH in activities related to ending the HIV epidemic at all levels, collaboration between PLWH, advocates, and non-traditional partners (including faith-based organizations and other community-based organizations and groups). This group will also work on capacity building and supporting economic and academic opportunities for PLWH both within the field of HIV/AIDS as well as beyond.
Coalition Building and Advocacy
*Meeting info: TBD: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83853340280
Chair: Dietz, Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization and Health & Foster Noone, LDH
This committee will focus on outreach and relationship building with non-traditional partners, building a larger movement, and working with partners toward common goals including advocacy efforts, legislative campaigns, etc.
Monitoring and Evaluation
*Meeting info: 3rd Tuesday of the Month, 1pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86255284082
Chair: Chris Adkins, LSU Health
This committee will track progress on implementation of activities and progress on meeting our objectives, review and analyze data (as needed), support preparation of information to be shared back to the community and will support grant/funding opportunity tracking. (Funding opportunities will be directed to partners identified to implement projects to apply for funds.)
Public Relations and Marketing
*Meeting info: 4th Thursday of the Month, 2pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81622744252
Chair: OPEN
This committee will focus on the marketing of our plan, as well as the development of media campaigns and communications for diverse audiences ranging from community groups and non-traditional partners to providers and media contacts.
