Download August 2004 Issue of ActionLink

ActionLink
an interactive source for social change
August 2004/Issue 1
action for social change through public policy research, advocacy and community education
In This Issue
 Welcome to
ActionLink
 Crystal Meth=Death
 Department Updates
 Public Policy Research &
Advocacy
 Community Education
 Volunteer Opportunities
 Current Activities
 Sail Away with TAI
Welcome to ActionLink
~ by Dr. Gene Copello, Executive Director, The AIDS Institute
Welcome to ActionLink, a monthly publication of The AIDS Institute. We
hope that ActionLink will bring you helpful information about HIV/AIDS
and related issues, as well as inform you about ongoing developments at
The AIDS Institute.
Our mission is to promote action for social change. As a national nonprofit
organization, based in Washington, DC and Florida, we accomplish that
mission through public policy research, informed advocacy and public
education. One of the agency’s unique characteristics is linking research,
advocacy and education together in a seamless understanding of the
AIDS pandemic and what we need to do to address it.
As a network builder, The AIDS Institute collaborates productively with
many other national and regional organizations as we work to ensure
comprehensive prevention education, access to quality healthcare and
social services, and finding a cure.
 News, Events &
Happenings
While the agency is focused on HIV/AIDS, we participate in ensuring
access to care in the Hepatitis arena as well as other areas. Access to
improved healthcare for all – in the United States and worldwide – must
be our goal. Please let us know what you think of ActionLink. We want
this publication to be one of the ways we interact with each other in our
common efforts.
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Crystal Meth
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Events
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Links between rising crystal methamphetamine (meth) use/abuse and
increasing sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates have led Miami-based
United Foundation for AIDS (UFA) to take action through a graphic
marketing campaign known as Meth=Death.
UFA President, and TAI board member, Marc E.
Cohen launched the Meth=Death campaign in
September of 2003. Since then, the program has
received international recognition and is currently
being adapted for use in cities such as Orlando,
Tampa and New York.
Posters and palm cards detail not only a
decomposing skull, but the side effects of this
highly addictive and illicit drug, such as stroke,
paranoia, skin lesions, convulsions, violent
episodes, cardiac arrest and more.
In addition to the campaign, Cohen utilizes online
chats, websites and meth/club drug meetings to raise awareness of the
issues around meth use/abuse. Moreover, this past April, working in
collaboration with The AIDS Institute and several Miami-based
organizations, UFA hosted a Methamphetamine Educational Awareness
Forum in Miami. The meeting, designed to educate front-line workers on
meth use and the relationship between use and rising STD and AIDS
infection rates, was a success.
TAI’s HOT Link
(this issue’s website/page to
visit):
MAC AIDS Fund
“The reason this campaign is effective is that we’ve taken our prevention
messages to the next level,” explains Cohen. “We’re seeing the deadly
impact of meth in our communities and we’re fighting back with a strong,
clear message.”
Meth, or Tina as it is sometimes called, has been widely used among the
poor and in gay communities since the 1970s. Now embedded in the
circuit party scene, the drug increases stamina and provides feelings of
euphoria, linking its use to high-risk sexual behaviors and rising STD
rates.
According to research from the San Francisco Department of Public
Health, meth users verses non-users are:

More than twice as likely to be HIV infected

1.7 times more likely to test positive for gonorrhea

4.9 times more likely to test positive for syphilis
To learn more about meth use/abuse, please visit the UFA website at
UFAMiami.org
“To accomplish great
things, we must not only
act, but also dream; not
only plan, but also
believe.” ~
Anatole France
Public Policy Research & Advocacy
Global News…
The AIDS Institute has been participating in global AIDS efforts for the
past three years. Efforts were begun with a community forum on global
AIDS. The Global Affairs program includes public policy and program
components. In public policy we have worked with a number of partner
organizations in advocating for adequate funding allocations from the
United States and other developed nations, as well as international
bodies, to address the AIDS pandemic in resource challenged regions.
Program development efforts focus on community mobilization and
network building consultations.
The Institute has participated in programs regarding the Caribbean
region, Central and South America, India, Mexico and Nigeria. Another
program component is raising awareness about global AIDS in the
United States.
While public policy efforts are aimed at the entire developing world,
program efforts are emphasizing the greater Caribbean area and both
Central and South America. This has included meetings with health
officials from the Caribbean and, recently, with Adolfo Franco, Assistant
Administrator of USAIDS for Latin America and the Caribbean.
On July 1, Drew J. McCarthy was appointed as Director of Global Affairs
with TAI. Previously, Drew served as Director of Government Affairs at
The AIDS Institute, as well as having worked in the private sector.
National News…
Board Bio…
This month we focus our
spotlight on TAI Board
President Marylin Merida,
Tampa, FL.
Marylin has served on the
board for several years and
was vice president prior to
her election to the
presidency.
She is active in HIV/AIDS at
the national level, as well as
in Florida, with a special
concern for the impact of
HIV in the African American
community.
Marylin administers the
Florida Family AIDS Program,
a federally funded program
at the University of South
Florida College of Public
Health.
TAI staff and volunteers have been actively involved in a series of
advocacy efforts this spring, including:
White Coat Day– physician and nurse HIV/AIDS providers took to
Capitol Hill to meet with key appropriators on May 11 to discuss issues
such as research at NIH, prevention at the CDC and the Ryan White
CARE Act at HRSA. The coalition organizing the event included the
American Academy of HIV Medicine, HIV Medicine Association,
International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care and TAI. Florida
participants included TAI Board members Karen Klubertanz, RN,
Gainesville, and David Waldron, RN, Sarasota. Also participating,
University of South Florida’s Dr. John Sinnott, along with Dr. Copello and
TAI Director of Federal Affairs Carl Schmid.
Public Comment & Testimony – so far this year, TAI has provided
public comment to the HRSA/CDC Advisory Committee and the
President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In his written testimony to
the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education and Related Services of
the US House Committee on Appropriations, Dr. Copello asked the
Subcommittee to “adequately fund a full range of HIV/AIDS and
Hepatitis programs in order to provide for, and protect the health of,
many Americans and others throughout the world.” To read the actual
testimony, click the link above.
National Campaigns – TAI helps to raise awareness on behalf of many
health-related issues including: National STD Awareness Month (April),
March for Women’s Lives (April 25), Cover the Uninsured Week (May 1016), National AIDS & Aging Day (May 13), the 21st International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial (May 16), HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18),
Hepatitis Awareness Month (May) and National HIV Testing Day (June
27).
Ryan White Reauthorization efforts – As Congress prepares for Ryan
White CARE Act reauthorization, TAI joined other national AIDS
organizations in conducting a recent briefing for Senate Staffers of the
CARE Act. Carl, who serves as co-chair of the Federal AIDS Policy
Partnership’s (FAPP) Reauthorization Committee, helped to organize and
moderate the panel for this event sponsored by Senate Health Ranking
Member Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Moreover, the agency’s board of directors
has put together a reauthorization work group that will, working with
staff, conduct research and analysis to make recommendations on the
future of the CARE Act.
theaidsinstitute.org
800 779 4898
Institute of Medicine Report (IOM) – In a bold proposal, the IOM
report, “Public Financing and Delivery of HIV/AIDS Care”, recommended
that a new entitlement program be created for low income Americans
who are infected with HIV/AIDS. The report noted significant disparities
in service throughout the US and proposed a new Comprehensive Care
Program that would entitle each individual to a science-based, uniform
and federally defined benefit package reflecting the standard of care.
Medicare Modernization Law – In a TAI organized meeting,
representatives of HHS and its Center for Medicaid and Medicare
Services (CMS) were joined by members of leading national AIDS
organizations to discuss concerns about the Medicare Modernization
Law, including: ensuring that formularies cover all necessary
Meet the TAI Team
Dr. Gene Copello, Executive
Director, 813-974-2598
medications; that those dually eligible persons (on Medicaid and
Medicare) slated to lose their Medicaid coverage under the new law will
not lose coverage; how ADAP can provide coverage during a time when
the program is already struggling; and the appeals process.
Markus Bell, Public Policy
Associate, 850-656-2437, ext. 300
Most pressing is letting HIV+ people on Medicare know about the Drug
Discount card and, if eligible, the annual $600 payment for medications.
Jesse Fry, Director of
Government Affairs and
Advocacy, 850-222-9580
Mary Ann T. Green, Director of
Communications, 813-974-4892
Drew McCarthy, Director of
Global Affairs, 202-746-5221
Denise Ruppal, Fiscal
Coordinator, 813-974-2598
Michael Ruppal, Associate
Executive Director, 813-974-2598
Michelle Scavnicky, Director of
Community Education, 813-9747958
Amanda Diers Schall, Assistant
Director of Policy Research, 813974-2838
Carl Schmid, Director of Federal
Affairs, 202-299-9430
Frederick Wright, Volunteer
Coordinator, 813-974-5592
For more information on The AIDS Institute’s federal policy efforts,
please contact Director of Federal Affairs Carl Schmid.
Florida Update…
Medically Needy Victory - TAI’s Tallahassee, FL, staff (Jesse Fry and
Markus Bell) are pleased to announce that for the 4th year in a row,
advocacy efforts helped save Florida’s Medically Needy program.
Medically Needy provides medical assistance to persons earning too much
money to be considered for Medicaid, but whose medical expenses are
catastrophic. Currently, some 32,500 Floridians are in the program,
including at least 1,100 people living with AIDS.
Youth Advocacy Mobilization – In conjunction with Big Bend Cares in
Tallahassee, Markus is working to recruit high school and college-age
advocates to discuss collaborative efforts around prevention and
treatment education. After the model goes through a “shake-down cruise”
we can take it state and nationwide! Considering that the highest rate of
new HIV infection is among 15 – 24 year olds, advocacy by young people
makes a whole lot of sense.
Coalition Around Medicaid Reform – Jesse, Amanda (Research) and
Mary Ann (Communications) have been working closely with a coalition of
health care advocates around the issue of Medicaid reform. The group
secured meetings with Mary Pat Moore (AHCA’s interim secretary) and
other key agency directors around what has become a topic of discussion
all over the country. The coalition is perfectly poised to keep this issue in
the Sunshine, where it belongs.
Election Year Town Hall Meetings – Several Town Hall meetings are
already underway in advent of the fall elections. The gatherings will
provide community members a chance to let their candidates know how
important health care issues – particularly HIV/AIDS – are to voters in
their districts. Stay tuned for details.
Public Policy Research…
The Research Department has been busy working on a variety of projects
during the first half of 2004, including:
Join Our Grassroots
Advocacy Program!
 Serving as contracted evaluator (2 years+) for Coastal Behavioral
Healthcare, Inc., on a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
(SAMHSA) project integrating HIV testing and counseling services
with outpatient substance abuse treatment. In January, TAI
submitted a full report to the agencies involved, including program
progress reports and efficiency recommendations.
 Serving as contracted evaluator for the University of South Florida,
Department of Pediatrics’ Youth Education Services (YES) program.
Funded through Title IV of the Ryan White CARE Act, YES provides
nontraditional HIV counseling and testing to at-risk youth. Begun in
The AIDS Institute is a
national nonprofit
organization affiliated
with the Division of
Infectious Diseases,
University of South
Florida, College of
Medicine.
January of this year, the Department will present its findings before
fall.
 TAI was awarded a contract from the Florida Department of Health,
Bureau of HIV/AIDS. This project entails an analysis of case
management services provided through Ryan White CARE Act funded
agencies as well as AIDS-specific Medicaid case management.
Although still in the initial exploratory stages of this project, which
began in April, the goal is to decipher the current case management
structures looking for efficiency and effectiveness.
 TAI’s Research Department is also developing additional materials
related to its program evaluation activities to be used as resources for
HIV/AIDS service agencies nationwide and will be looking at issues
related to Ryan White CARE Act reauthorization.
As always, the research department continues to seek additional
funding for research projects of significance to people living with
HIV/AIDS. For more information, contact Amanda Schall with our
Department of Policy Research at [email protected].
For more information,
visit us online at
theaidsinstitute.org
Community Education
The Department of Community Education has been busy preparing for
the fiscal year development of Department of Health patient care and
prevention meetings. The upcoming Florida Comprehensive Planning
Network (FCPN) Meetings are as follows: Patient Care ~ November 8 &
9, 2004, Adams Mark Hotel, Jacksonville; Prevention ~ August 12 &
13, 2004, Rosen Center Hotel, Orlando.
ActionLink
Editor:
Mary Ann T. Green
[email protected]
813-974-4892
Contributors:
Dr. Gene Copello
Marc E. Cohen
Jesse Fry
Drew McCarthy
Michael Ruppal
Additionally, TAI will sponsor a Substance Abuse Consultation follow-up
meeting and MSM Consultation follow-up both of which will happen in
the fall of 2004.
Educational activities:
 Michelle Scavnicky, director of Community Education, recently
participated in the VOICES 2004, Title IV Conference for Woman,
Infants, Children, Youth and Families, as well as the HIV Prevention
Leadership Summit, held June 16 -19 in Atlanta, GA. TAI was a
sponsor and exhibitor at both conferences.
 Staff are currently preparing for the upcoming United States
Conference on AIDS (USCA) taking place in Philadelphia, PA, October
21-24, 2004.
 TAI, along with Gilead Sciences, Inc., is sponsoring a PLWH
Community Education Dinner Program on August 18, 2004, at
Landry’s Seafood in Tampa. For more information contact the
Department of Community Education.
Michelle Scavnicky
Amanda Schall
Carl Schmid
Volunteer Opportunities
TAI has numerous exciting opportunities for volunteers throughout Florida
and across the nation!
Administration – if you live near one of our offices, you can assist us
with basic office operations such as faxing, filing, database management
and answering phones.
The AIDS Institute
action for social change
800 779 4898
Advocacy – throughout the US and abroad, TAI’s looking for individuals
willing to participate in our email-based Action Alert Broadcast; network
with community leaders; make urgently needed phone calls; send faxes
or emails to elected officials and more!
Community Education – help expand TAI’s reach in communities
throughout the US by creating packets for various meetings and forums;
staffing educational booths at health fairs and events; assisting with the
development of TAI’s referral system; planning volunteer orientations &
training programs; and participating in, as well as maintaining, our
speaker’s bureau.
Events – contact TAI to learn about our next special and event and see
how you can assist us in raising HIV/AIDS awareness and funds!
To learn more about volunteering with The AIDS Institute, please contact
TAI Volunteer Coordinator Frederick Wright at
[email protected], or by phone at 813-334-6959.
REGISTER TO VOTE:
www.beavoter.org
Learn more about where
Presidential candidates
stand on HIV/AIDS related
issues by visiting:
www.aidsvote.org
Current Activities
4x4 Initiative, Get Out The Vote – TAI’s campaign focused on the
2004 Presidential election, but continuing throughout this decade, to
encourage voter registration and community participation in elections on
the local, state and national levels.
The 4x4 Initiative is a volunteer-based effort designed to compliment
the national Get Out The Vote campaign and includes the following
objectives:





Encourage at least 4 people that voting makes a difference in
their community
Help 4 non-registered voters become registered to vote
Plan for election day and assist voters in getting to the polls
Help staff booths to register voters at various events
Encourage absentee voting
For more information and to become involved, contact TAI at
[email protected], or 813-334-6959.
Packets, including voter registration forms, are available. Download a
4x4 flyer: 4x4 flyer
Subscribe to
ActionLink Now!
In addition to our own 4x4 Initiative, TAI is joining forces with Equality
Florida and numerous organizations across Florida as part of a
Democracy Project effort. The goal of this collaborative TurnOut Florida
campaign is to mobilize 350,000 fair-minded Floridians for the 2004
elections.
Help shape the future on local, state, national and global levels –
register to vote today: Your Vote Matters!
Sail Away with TAI
Join us for a 7-day West Caribbean Cruise May 22–29, 2005. Ports of
call include: Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Belize
City, Belize.
Carnival has agreed to hold reservations for a deposit of $50.00 per
person. Rates* for this exotic excursion are:
For ActionLink
sponsorship opportunities,
please call 813-974-4892,
or email:
[email protected]
Inside - $699
Ocean View - $849
Balcony - $999
* Prices per person based on double occupancy and include port
charges. Government taxes and a tax-deductible $40 contribution to The
AIDS Institute, which the Carnival cruise line will match, are additional.
To reserve your cabin today, please call 1-800-237-4070 or email
[email protected]. Please be sure to mention you are calling
about the fundraising cruise to benefit The AIDS Institute.
News, Events & Happenings
The AIDS Institute is pleased to welcome two new members to the
agency’s Board of Directors:

Deloris Dockrey, MPH – Executive Director of the Newark, New
Jersey Emerging Metropolitan Area (EMA) HIV Health Services
Planning Council, Secretary and Board Member of the Steering
Committee for the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS
North American region.

William Schuyler, MA – Vice President of Federal Government
Relations with GlaxoSmithKline.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Friday, October 15th is National Latino
AIDS Awareness Day. TAI is pleased to join dedicated organizations
across the United States in encouraging Latinos to learn more about
HIV/AIDS, treatment and care options.
We at TAI strongly encourage community participation in this national
campaign. To learn more about National Latino AIDS Awareness Day:
El VIH No Tiene Fronteras/HIV Has No Borders visit NLAAD online
at: www.latinoaids.org/nlaad
NEWS FLASH…
TAI recently learned that the MAC AIDS Fund, based in New York, has
awarded the agency a competitive grant for our work in community
education, public relations and communications.
Additionally, TAI was awarded a competitive grant from a coalition of
private foundations, including the National AIDS Fund, Levi Strauss and
Tides Foundation, to fund needle exchange policy programs.
For more information on The AIDS Institute, and to become involved in
advocacy, please contact us at [email protected], or call TAI at
813-974-2598. Visit us online at www.theaidsinstitute.org