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Ryan White Part B Draft Rule 3701-44-03 is open for public comment

The HIV Care Services program at the Ohio Department of Health manages Ohio’s Ryan White Part B funds. HIV Care Services invites you to review the proposed action related to rule 3701‐44-03 of the Ohio Administrative Code). Specifically, HIV Care
Services proposes to rescind the currently effective rule and propose the same rule as new. The rule guides HIV Care Services program operations. Rule 3701-44-03, as proposed, allows for greater flexibility in managing the Ryan White Part B funds, including the use of medical criteria to triage the most medically vulnerable on an Ohio Drug Assistance Program (OHDAP) waiting list should such a list become necessary.

The medical criteria were developed by the clinical subcommittee of the Ryan White Part B Advisory Board ensuring input from practicing HIV specialists across Ohio. The experts’ recommendations to the ODH Director are based on the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Treatment Guidelines for HIV. Rule 3701-44-03, as proposed, was reviewed by the entire Part B Advisory Board which has fully endorsed the draft rule. We would like your feedback as well. Read the rest of this page »

Last edited: January 4th, 2012

AIDS Taskforce Public Policy Department Opens New Columbus Office; Creates New Policy and Advocacy Alliance in Cincinnati

The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland and Caracole of Cincinnati are pleased to announce a formal public policy and advocacy collaboration. More than 10 years ago, the AIDS Taskforce established the first fully funded, full time department of public policy in Ohio and has continued been the leader in federal, state and local policy and advocacy efforts in the State of Ohio. We are proud to join forces with Cincinnati’s leading provider of safe, affordable housing and supportive services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.

Founded in 1987, Caracole House was the first licensed adult care facility in Ohio for people living with HIV/AIDS. Today, Caracole provides direct care services and housing to people with HIV/AIDS and their families along a continuum of care. More than 1,200 people have been housed through Caracole’s programs. The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland is a non-profit, community based AIDS service and education organization. Established in 1983, the AIDS Taskforce is the oldest AIDS service provider in Northeast Ohio, and the primary provider in Cleveland of both community based HIV prevention education and non-medical social services to people living with HIV and AIDS.
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Last edited: November 4th, 2011

Danny Sparks wins Excellence in Leadership Award


Once a year, Choice USA celebrates the amazing work of young activists who are fighting for all of us to have the power, knowledge and tools to control our own bodies and relationships. At their 9th Annual Generation to Generation Celebration on September 23rd in Washington, DC, they honored the achievements of dynamic leaders who are setting new standards, creating new solutions, harnessing new strategies and leveraging their political power.

This year, the Excellence in Leadership Award was given to Danny Sparks, for his work with the Ohio Advocates Youth Leadership Council over the past three years. Ohio Advocates is a joint project of The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland and Advocates For Youth. The Excellence in Leadership Award is given to a group or individual 30 AND UNDER who has exhibited radical, unrelenting leadership that led to social change particularly impacting sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Last edited: October 4th, 2011

Update on the Ohio AIDS Drug Assistance Program

The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland applauds the commitment of elected and governmental officials that are now supporting our efforts. We have had many conversations and meetings with officials regarding OHDAP and HIV/AIDS funding. We believe that our voices are being heard.

Small achievements such as the move from Ohio’s Ryan White Part B office to enroll large numbers of individuals into OHDAP are encouraging. On July 8th, 2011 OHDAP had a waiting list of 492. As of September 2nd, 2011 there were 59 individuals on the waiting list. Ohio officials have made a commitment to make efforts to temporarily eliminate the waiting list and enroll those in need directly into OHDAP, at least for the remainder of the year.

Ryan White Part B is also reviewing the reduced formulary, with discussions of possibly reinstating some of the medications that had been removed due to cost-containment measures.

Vigilance is still needed, however, with an eye toward next year’s budget. The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland continues to work with our legislators and decision-makers to ensure the protection of these vital safety-net services for all Ohioans living with HIV.

Last edited: September 8th, 2011

HIV/AIDS Unity Day

Contact: Judith Pindell, Director Public Policy and Advocacy

AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland

216.621.0766 x231

jpindell@atfgc.org

Date: Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Bipartisan HIV/AIDS Unity Day Press Conference highlights waiting list, need for increased funding for the Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program

Columbus, OH -  The HIV/AIDS community joined friends, allies, providers, and stakeholders at the HIV/AIDS Unity Day Press Conference at the Ohio Statehouse to show support for the Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program (OHDAP) and urge Ohio legislators to fund the program at a sufficient level to serve all Ohioans in need of these services.

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Last edited: May 25th, 2011

Cleveland Comprehensive Sex Ed Evaluation Results Released

The results from the evaluation of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s K-12 Responsible Sexual Behavior (RSB) Initiative for the 2009/2010 school year suggest that the Initiative continues to have a positive impact on students and point to key factors that have contributed to the success of the Initiative over the four years since its launch by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).

Among the highlights of the 2009/2010 school year evaluation:
Students showed improvements in overall knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behavioral intent across the three curricula included in the evaluation, and these improvements were statistically significant for grades four through six and grades nine through 12; The topic students in grades one through three most frequently reported they learned about was good touch/bad touch, while fifth through eighth graders most frequently mentioned abstinence or delaying sex, and high school students most frequently mentioned HIV/AIDS and STDs.

There are indications that the cumulative nature of the RSB initiative, with students receiving lessons every year that build upon each other, is resulting in students’ maintaining the gains of receiving the curriculum over time.
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Last edited: April 12th, 2011

Advocacy News

The Taskforce is an advocate for those whose lives are impacted by HIV/AIDS. We encourage you to become an advocate as well. Only through our joined voices will our elected officials consider those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS when making policy and funding decisions. Only when we speak together with one voice, will we increase awareness among the general population.

Read about the issues, stay informed, and let people know that we must work together to help those in need. Your voice is important – become an advocate – for yourself, your family, your friends and your community.

Last edited: December 15th, 2010