SC HIV PLANNING COUNCIL (HPC)
In 2005, the STD/HIV Division integrated planning activities for HIV prevention and care. Following a year-long process (begun in 2004) with stakeholders from HIV prevention and care programs, a mission statement, bylaws, and policies and procedures were developed which guided the HPC through its first three years. The twenty-five (25) member HPC met quarterly through 2007.
In December of 2007, the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures were amended to reflect a representative membership of thirty-one (31) voting members from CDC-funded prevention programs (both directly and indirectly funded), Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act-funded care and support services programs (Parts B, C, and D), collaborating state agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based programs, and interested community members. Participation from consumers living with HIV/AIDS is ensured, with the bylaws mandating that six (6) of the 31 members be persons who are HIV positive.
Now in its seventh year (201), the HPC meets at least quarterly in Columbia. Since 2008, there have been five meetings a year. Three of the standing committees (Prevention, Care and Support Services, and Needs Assessment) meet during a portion of the day-long HPC meeting as well as between meetings. The Consumer Advisory Committee meets on separate days from the HPC meeting, as its members are fully integrated into the three committees noted above. The Membership Committee meets as needed to review applications and select new members for the next term, fill vacancies, or to deal with other membership issues that may arise.
Applications for membership in the HPC are sent out in the fall of each year as well as distributed at the annual SC HIV/STD Conference. Persons selected serve a two-year term. The membership of the HPC reflects, as much as possible, the demographic characteristics of the HIV epidemic in South Carolina. The following criteria are utilized to assist in the selection of members:
- Infected or affected by HIV;
- Two years experience providing HIV prevention and/or care services;
- Expertise in the following HIV-related program service areas: HIV clinical care; case management; HIV counseling and testing services; partner counseling and referral services; comprehensive risk counseling and services; evidence-based health education/risk reduction programs; mental health counseling; substance use prevention and/or treatment; and housing;
- Representative of a geographical area of high incidence and prevalence; and/or
- Representative of priority populations: persons with HIV, African American Men who have Sex with Men (AAMSM); African American Women who have Sex with Men (AAWSM); African American Men who have Sex with Women (AAMSW), White Men who have Sex with Men (WMSM); Injecting Drug Users (IDU); and Hispanics/Latino(a)s.
In addition to the Standing Committees, the HPC also has several workgroups that have evolved around specific interest areas. These workgroups include the Adolescent Sexual Health Workgroup, the Corrections Workgroup and the Hispanic/Latino Workgroup. Participation on the workgroups is not limited to HPC members only. Open participation is encouraged from persons, agencies, and organizations that serve or work closely with the populations of interest. Two additional groups that are not workgroups of the HPC but function in an advisory role to the HPC include the MSM (Men who have Sex With Men) Workgroup and the SC AIDS Care Crisis Task Force. Updates from the HPC’s Workgroups and the advisory groups are always included on the HPC meeting agenda.
For more information on the HPC (including but not limited to membership, meeting agendas and minutes) please visit the SC HIV Planning Council web site (http://www.schpc.org) or contact Susan L. Fulmer, Planning Coordinator and DHEC HPC Co-chair, at 803-898-0684 or via e-mail at fulmersl@dhec.sc.gov.