HomeMy WebLinkAbout972464.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE HIV PUBLIC AWARENESS GRANT PROPOSAL AND AUTHORIZE
CHAIR TO SIGN
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a HIV Public Awareness Grant
Proposal between the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Health Department, and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment, with terms and conditions being as stated in
said proposal, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said proposal, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Weld County, Colorado, that the HIV Public Awareness Grant Proposal between the County of
Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
on behalf of the Health Department, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment be, and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized
to sign said proposal.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 26th day of November, A.D., 1997.
OV.i
linty
Cl /
AS TO FORM:
orney
t
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COL�DO
eorge E
axter, Chair
onstance L. Harb=rt, Pro-Tem
Dale K. Hall
arbara J. Kirkmey
W. H. Webster
972464
HL0023
o S. Pickle, M.S.E.H.
Director
Dat
State Of Colorado
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80222-1530
HIV Prevention Services:
HIV Public Awareness Grant Proposal
Applicant's Name:
Address:
Contact Person:
Phone:
Amount Requested:
Date Submitted:
Weld County Health Department
1517 16th Avenue Court
Greeley, CO 80631
Misti Aas, HIV Educator
Karen Spink, Health Promotion Program Supervisor
(970)353-0586
$ 6,500
from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998
November 24, 1997
Weld County Health Department
Weld County Board of Commissioners
/l 1 t/57 11/26/97
972464
Date
I. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION
The Weld County Health Department (WCHD) was established in 1938; the
second health department in the state of Colorado. WCHD serves the 144,000
residents of Weld County which includes 29 incorporated towns and
encompasses 4000 square miles. WCHD employs approximately 75
individuals who work in three separate divisions; Administration, Preventive
Health Services, and Environmental Protection. The mission of the WCHD is to
preserve, promote and protect a healthy life and safe environment for all people
in Weld County. Financial support of WCHD consists of the following; county
funds - 37.4%, fees for services - 31.6%, contracts and grants - 28.7%, and
misc. funding - 2.3%.
The governing Board of Directors for WCHD is the County Board of
Commissioners and Public Health Board (see attachment ). The HIV
Educator/Program Coordinator has no control of gender or ethnic make-up, or
selection of the persons constituting this Board.
WCHD houses a STD Clinic and also serves as both an anonymous and
confidential HIV testing site. In addition, WCHD is the lead fiscal agency in
Northern Colorado for the management of the Ryan White Care Act.
The HIV Education program is under the umbrella of the Health Promotions
Section of Preventive Health Services at WCHD. In 1997, public information on
HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness was provided to approximately 780
people in Weld County through community events and educational
presentations to organizations and schools. Upwards of 75,000 persons were
reached through press releases, purchased ads, radio PSAs and interviews.
WCHD is the lead agency for the Weld County AIDS Coalition (WCAC) with the
HIV Educator serving as coordinator. In addition, individual HIV prevention
counseling was provided on a weekly basis through the STD Clinic.
WCHD houses an audiovisual and other educational media supply room.
These supplies include over -head projectors, slide projectors, a portable
TVNCR, flip charts w/ markers, an HIV virus model, and a variety of videos on
heath -related issues including HIV/AIDS. The HIV Educator has ready access
to all equipment. Condoms and HIV -related brochures and information is
stored in the office of the HIV Educator.
The HIV Educator at WCHD has been involved in HIV Education for eleven
years through the University of Northern Colorado (UN C), WCAC, and currently
WCHD. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the AIDS Coalition for
Education. She holds a Master's Degree in Agency Counseling and is a
Licensed Professional Counselor and has facilitated the HIV/AIDS support
group for the past five years.
II. TARGET AUDIENCE
The target audience for this Public Awareness Project is all residents of Weld
County , with the inclusion of youth, people of color, people with disabilities and
people with hearing impairments.
The Weld County AIDS Coalition, whose mission is to educate the
community about HIV infection and to diminish the fears and myths associated
with HIV infection and AIDS, is representative of a diverse cross-section of Weld
9724€ 4
County residents. It's 45 members include medical providers, health educators,
clergy, people of color, persons from the University community, persons living
with HIV, persons who have lost loved ones to complications of AIDS, as well as
other interested individuals. Members of WCAC range in age from 18 to 72.
The Coalition is coordinated by the HIV Educator at WCHD and meets regularly
on a monthly basis, as well as providing quarterly mailed updates to all
members. Meeting activities include event planning, discussion of community
needs and resource sharing.
The coordination of WCAC gives the HIV Educator the unique opportunity to
track information, perceptions, and changes in behaviors and attitudes about
HIV/AIDS in Weld County, enabling WCHD to evaluate and, if needed, re -adjust
its focus and strategies based on the needs communicated by Weld County
residents. WCAC recruits for new members at all PI events and presentations.
In addition, formative evaluation for this intervention included the distribution of
an HIV knowledge survey to clients at various agencies in Weld County. These
targeted agencies serve individuals of varying socioeconomic and ethnic
identities. Results of this survey reflect what myths and misconceptions
continue to exist and where the focus of educational efforts should lie.
Knowledge about how HIV is transmitted and about how to avoid transmission
is a prerequisite to individuals avoiding risks or taking precautions to protect
themselves.
WCHD's Public Awareness Intervention will reach an estimated 900 people
through WCAC events, panel discussions and presentations in 1998, and an
additional estimated 80,000 people through various media means. All events
and presentations will be held at locations that are accessible to persons with
disabilities. Interpreters for the hearing impaired can be acquired through the
Northern Colorado Center on Deafness with 3 days notice.
All priority populations for CWT Dist. 2 are included under the targeted
audience of all residents of Weld County. The HIV Educator is a long-time
resident of Weld County.
III. CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND PROFICIENCY
Because one individual is coordinating this project, the "organization" will be
referred to as the "HIV Educator". The HIV Educator is committed to the ongoing
process of cultural competence and proficiency. The HIV Educator will attend
any trainings offered through the state (or locally) on furthering cultural
competence and awareness, continue to pursue Spanish language classes,
and will read books specifically addressing unique concerns and needs of
various ethnic identities served through the intervention. At each panel
discussion or presentation the HIV Educator and/or the panel members will
assess where each individual and the group is on a cultural spectrum. Cultural
diversity and needs will be taken into consideration during planning of WCAC
events. Members of WCAC include people of color who voice the unique
cultural concerns reflected by their communities. Printed materials will also be
available in Spanish. The HIV Educator also has an ethnically diverse group of
friends and acquaintances who help promote ongoing growth in cultural
sensitivity.
972464
The HIV Educator/program coordinator will assess her cultural competence
and proficiency through ongoing feedback of program participants and
technical assistance through CDPHE.
IV. OBJECTIVES
By December 31, 1998, persons attending panel discussions and presentations
will be able to list 3 ways that persons living with HIV continue to experience
discrimination.
By December 31, 1998, persons who participate in "A Walk in the Park" will be
able to describe three ways that HIV can be transmitted.
By December 31, 1998, increase by 10% (from 115 to 127) the number of
people participating in WCAC's "A Walk in the Park".
V. OPERATIONAL PLAN
Public awareness continues to be an important HIV prevention intervention.
With the media -acclaimed success of combination AIDS drug therapies, many
people erroneously believe that HIV/AIDS is a disease of the past. This, along
with other variables, has contributed to an alarming trend of risky behavior.
Public information is imperative, particularly in a rural community where myths
and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS seem particularly prevalent.
The WCAC was established in 1987 and is a diverse volunteer group of
community individuals committed to the prevention of HIV/AIDS through
education. The WCHD HIV Educator serves as its coordinator. Over the years,
WCAC has grown in both membership and service. The organization plans and
implements several annual events that the community anticipates and looks
forward to, and in turn these events continue to grow.
In the spring of 1998, WCAC will sponsor a Candlelight Memorial Service in
observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization.
Father Greg Ames has volunteered to host the service at St. Peters Catholic
Church in Greeley. The service will include participation by other interested
clergy in Weld County. Music, readings, poetry, meditations, memory sharing,
and candle -lighting will remember those who have died from complications of
AIDS, and honor those who are living with HIV/AIDS.
In the fall of 1998, WCAC will plan and implement "A Walk in the Park". This
5K walk will take place at Bittersweet Park and will include educational
information as well as refreshments and prizes donated by area merchants.
The primary focus of the walk is to provide public education and awareness
surrounding HIV. A number of Weld County businesses will be solicited for
sponsorships for the event. "A Walk in the Park" not only draws community
members together in the battle against AIDS, but also gives the Weld County
businesses and merchants an opportunity to show their support for continued
HIV/AIDS awareness.
Both of the aforementioned events will be publicized through multi -media
means. Press -releases will be sent to 17 newspapers throughout Weld County,
and PSAs will be sent to 5 radio stations in Northern Colorado, Posters
972464
advertising each event will be distributed throughout the community. For the
Candlelight Memorial Service, announcements will be sent to Houses of
Worship throughout Weld County to be included in their bulletins.
KFKA radio is an annual sponsor of "A Walk in the Park" and is a strong
supporter of the mission of WCAC. KFKA will air several radio interviews with
the WCHD HIV Educator and other Coalition members in the weeks preceding
the 5K walk.
In observance of World AIDS Day (Dec. 1st), WCAC will promote a red
ribbon campaign specifically targeting businesses throughout Weld County.
Letters will be sent to the 11 largest companies in the county providing
information regarding World AIDS Day, as well as the opportunity to request red
ribbons for their employees. Other smaller businesses will be contacted via
phone by Coalition volunteers. An announcement will also be placed in the
business section of the newspaper.
A panel discussion on HIV/AIDS with special theatre, dance, and musical
contributions will be presented at UNC with the collaboration of the University.
The panel will consist of members of the WCAC Speaker's Bureau, UNC will
handle all publicity and advertising and the event will be open to the entire
community.
The WCAC Speaker's Bureau includes persons living with HIV, parents who
have lost adult children to complications of AIDS, medical providers, health
educators, and others who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, Four to six
members of the Speaker's Bureau participate in each panel discussion. Panel
presentations are highly interactive with the audience, with the majority of time
focused on a question/answer format.
Schools, community groups and other organizations are encouraged to
request panels. These panels serve to personalize HIV/AIDS, and seek to
dispel myths about HIV transmission, as well as aiming to reduce discrimination
toward persons living with HIV/AIDS and providing referrals for testing and
other services. These panels are particularly valuable in classroom setting as
the HIV epidemic in the US is increasingly becoming an epidemic of the young,
According to the UCSF AIDS Resource Institute, one fourth of all HIV infections
in the US occur in people under the age of 22, and one half of all new infections
occur in people under age 25.
The HIV Educator will provide educational presentations surrounding
HIV/AIDS to schools and community organizations upon request. Presentations
are tailored specifically to each audience. The first of the two main themes,
basic HIV facts - HIV 101 is given to groups that may not have had previous
access to accurate information and may include Jr, High/High Schools, GED
classes, and Headstart program parents. The second is a focus on the protease
inhibitors and media information that has given people a sense of false hope to
the end of AIDS. This presentation also focuses on what works and what
doesn't in HIV education and how behavior change is achieved, it is usually
given to groups such as University classes and Rotary clubs. However, due to
the limited financial scope of this grant, presentations will only be able to occur
on a limited basis.
Video loans, HIV/AIDS pamphlets, and condoms will be provided to groups
and individuals on a request basis.
972464
Due to the variety of activities to be achieved in 1998, the target population
should be reached through this intervention, including those who may be
difficult to reach due to geography, stigma, or other factors.
The recommendations of CWT District 2 list Public Information as a potential
intervention for all priority statement/populations.
Time Line
By April 30, 1998, all participating clergy and other contributors will be lined up
for the Candlelight Memorial Service.
By April 30, 1998, press releases, PSAs, House of Worship bulletin
announcements, and posters will be distributed throughout Weld County to
invite participants to the local observance of the International AIDS Candlelight
Memorial and Mobilization.
By August 31, 1998, all community prize donors and business/organizational
sponsors will be secured for "A Walk in the Park".
By August 31, 1998, press releases, PSAs, posters and registration forms will
be distributed throughout Weld County to invite participants to the 7th Annual "A
Walk in the Park".
By September 30, 1998, a banner will be placed over one of the major streets in
Greeley commemorating AIDS Awareness Month.
By October 31, 1998, an editorial focusing on one or more aspects/issues of
HIV/AIDS will be written to appear in the Greeley Tribune.
By November 30, 1998, major corporations in Weld County will have received a
letter promoting a red ribbon campaign for World AIDS Day.
By December 31, 1998, twelve panel presentation promoting HIV/AIDS
awareness (utilizing the WCAC Speaker's Bureau) will be provided to schools
and/or community organizations.
By December 31, 1998, six tailored HIV/AIDS educational presentations will be
provided to community organizations and/or schools.
By December 31, 1998, twelve WCAC meetings (one each month) will be
facilitated.
VI. COLLABORATION, COORDINATION AND NON -DUPLICATION
The WCHD HIV educator works collaboratively with individuals involved in
WCAC in order to plan and implement the WCAC sponsored events and panel
presentations.
972464
WCHD also collaborates with UNC on HIV/AIDS educational events, to the
greatest extent the panel presentation planned for World AIDS Day (see
attached letter of collaboration).
Other organizations in Weld County such as Planned Parenthood provide
printed HIV/AIDS educational materials and referrals to individuals. Lambda
Community Center in Ft. Collins received supplemental funding to provide
limited bar and street outreach in Weld County. Unlike its relationship with
other Ft. Collins AIDS service organizations, WCHD has a very friendly, non-
competitive and collaborative relationship with the Lambda Community Center.
The Public Awareness intervention planned by WCHD utilizes group
activities rather than individual outreach. In addition, WCHD's project seeks to
dispel myths surrounding HIV/AIDS and reduce discrimination and stereotyping
experienced by persons living with HIV/AIDS, besides providing education on
transmission and behavior change. For this reason, this proposal is not
duplicative of any other HIV prevention services offered in Weld County.
VII. EVALUATION PLAN
Formative evaluation for this proposal was achieved through continued input
from community members of WCAC, past feedback from participants at WCAC
events, and HIV/AIDS knowledge survey results.
Process evaluation will include tracking the following: the number of video
loans, other educational materials, and condoms distributed; the number of
WCAC meetings facilitated; the number of panel and educational presentations
given; and the number of participants at WCAC events. All of this information
will be recorded in the HIV program log book. On a quarterly basis, this tracked
information will be submitted to the CDPHE Epidemiology Dept, A narrative
detailing general activities and accomplishments toward the outlined objectives
will be included in the quarterly HIV prevention progress report to the Contract
Supervisor.
A pre- and post-test questionnaire will be used at panel and educational
presentations to evaluate participant knowledge and effectiveness of
presentations. Participants will be asked to complete an evaluation of WCAC
events (a brief knowledge post-test will be included in the "Walk in the Park"
evaluation). This information will assist WCHD in outcome evaluation.
A Professor in the community health dept. of UNC has offered his assistance
in conducting an outcome evaluation through statistical analysis of collected
data.
972464
VIII. BUDGET
HIV Educator
(6 hrs. x $14.23 x 52 wks.)
Administrative Assistant
(1 hr. x $7.98 x 52 wks.)
Fringe
(10% of total personnel requested)
Indirect
(13.2% of total personnel and fringe)
Travel
(9 Denver trips & 200 misc. miles)
ACE Membership Fees
$4439.76
$414.96
$485.47
$704.90
$369.91
$85,00
TOTAL REQUESTED FUNDING $6500.00
972464
COLORADO
Memorandum
TO: George E. Baxter ' _
Chair, Weld County Commissioners
DATE: November 24, 1997
FROM: John Pickle, M.S.E.H.
Director, Weld County 47epartment
"L'
SUBJECT: HIV Public Awareness Grant Proposal
Enclosed for board review and approval is a proposal for a contract between the Weld
County Health Department and the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment to continue an HIV prevention project targeting all residents of Weld
County.
The project seeks to dispel myths about HIV transmission, support volunteerism for HIV
prevention programs, reduce discrimination toward persons with HIV/AIDS, and
increase access to available services. This will be achieved through community HIV
Awareness events and other presentations. The Weld County Health Department will
be collaborating with the Weld County AIDS Coalition and UNC, among other
community organizations, to achieve our goal.
The grant request is for continuation funds for the funding period January 1998 and
ending in December 1998. We are asking for $6,500 to maintain this project.
I would recommend your approval of this proposal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
972464
Hello