Questions and Answers on the 2012-2013 SC HIV Planning Council (HPC)
1. How often will the HPC and Committees meet during the year?
The day-long meetings of the full HPC will be held at least quarterly in Columbia. At this time, five meetings are planned for 2012 (generally February, April, June, August and December). During the February meeting, the dates are set for the last four meetings of the year with input from all voting members. Attendance at meetings is mandatory for all voting HPC members. The standing committees of the HPC will meet at least quarterly, and more often as needed, in face-to-face meetings and/or via conference calls. It is expected that all members will actively participate on at least one standing committee. Some committees meet more than others. For example, the Prevention Committee meets approximately 10 times a year in between the full HPC meetings.
2. How long will I serve as a member?
Terms of newly appointed voting members will be two years. If a person is filling an unexpired term, the service will be for the remainder of that two-year term.
3. What will I be expected to do as a member?
Individuals chosen to serve on the HPC will be expected to commit to participate fully in the HPC planning process: to provide verbal and/or written input, complete necessary work assignments, assist in developing and updating the statewide Prevention and Care Plan, and update HPC documents as necessary. Individuals will attend each HPC and assigned standing committee meeting as scheduled.
4. What are the Standing Committees and their tasks?
a. Care and Support Services Committee: identifies and reviews federal and public health guidelines and recommendations for treatment/care and support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS; reviews needs assessment and other care service data; recommends best practices for care and support strategies and services to meet the treatment and support services needs of persons living with HIV; and informs the community planning process.
b. Consumer Advisory Committee (limited to persons who are living with HIV/AIDS): utilizes the expertise and real-life experiences of its members to provide input to the HPC on HIV prevention and care needs and issues for persons living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk for or affected by HIV/AIDS. Per the HPC Bylaws, a minimum of six persons living with HIV/AIDS must be voting members of the Council.
c. Membership Committee: each of the other standing committees selects a representative to the Membership Committee, which oversees all membership functions of the HPC, including recruitment, appointment, and removal processes of the membership; reviews/responds to member resignations; conducts orientation for new members; addresses individual member concerns; and assists with the membership survey.
d. Needs Assessment Committee: reviews epidemiologic and other data to identify and recommend priority populations; assesses the needs of priority populations; identifies federal, state, and local resources to meet those needs; and conducts a gap analysis to determine unmet care and prevention service needs.
e. Prevention Committee: identifies and reviews federal and public health guidelines and recommendations for science-based, proven effective behavioral interventions for priority populations; reviews program evaluation data of interventions provided in S.C. and other areas; recommends HIV prevention strategies for reducing risk for HIV transmission in persons living with HIV and other high risk priority populations.
5. What are the benefits of serving as an HPC member?
HPC member service benefits include the following opportunities to:
- provide insight on prevention and care service needs and gaps, and input on recommended HIV-related prevention and care service priorities in South Carolina;
b. participate in discussions and networking with colleagues and counterparts from across the state, resulting in increased awareness of resources, approaches, and strategies to enhance service provision;
c. through development of a statewide Plan, assist South Carolina agencies and organizations in obtaining federal and other sources of HIV-related funding; and
d. eligibility to receive scholarships to attend HIV-related planning meetings, national or state conferences and training events (as funding allows).
6. Will I be reimbursed for my travel and meeting-related expenses?
Mileage and per diem reimbursement, based on State guidelines, will be provided to consumers serving on the HPC and its subcommittees. Reimbursement will be provided to local agency staff on an as-needed basis to ensure participation.
Please ensure your completed application is received by Donald Wood, HPC Administrator, by the deadline of Friday, October 7, 2011. Information on where to send the application is found on the front page of the application.