Are People Living With HIV/AIDS represented on the Planning Council?
The Ryan White CARE Act amendments of 2000 require that at least 33% of Planning Council members are people living with HIV or AIDS. The right to privacy for People Living with HIV/AIDS is of highest concerns of the Planning Council and its staff. In addition, the Planning Council and all of its committees have assured the participation of People Living With HIV/AIDS without the fear of the stigma often associated with self-disclosure. The important activities of the Planning Council include more than its general meetings. Much significant and important work is accomplished through each of the Planning Council’s committees and involves the dedicated work and participation of a wider group People Living With HIV/AIDS and service providers. The Planning Council has been successful in recruiting representation and the energetic participation of PLWHA in the full Planning Council, standing and ad-hoc committees.
Up until the CARE Act was amended in 2000, HRSA required that at least 25% of Planning Council members be people living with HIV/AIDS. The CARE Act amendments of 2000 require that at least 33% of Planning Council members are people living with HIV or AIDS, a requirement that the Newark EMA HIV Health Services Planning Council has met for at least several years already. The actual numbers and identities of these individuals have not been made public except to the Grantee and HRSA.A list of those individuals who have chosen to self-disclose their HIV status is available from the Planning Council. The right to privacy for People Living with HIV/AIDS is of highest concerns of the Planning Council and its staff. In addition, the Planning Council and all of its committees have assured the participation of People Living With HIV/AIDS without the fear of the stigma often associated with self-disclosure.The important activities of the Planning Council include more than its general meetings.
