Letter of Concurrence

Dear Friends,

It is with enthusiasm that we present this public review draft of the Inland Empire HIV Planning Council’s three-year Comprehensive HIV Services Plan for persons living with HIV/AIDS and those affected, in the Riverside/San Bernardino, California Transitional Grant Area (TGA). Considered in the development of this updated plan were several new legislative and programmatic initiatives: The National HIV/ AIDS Strategy; The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-198) as amended in the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152); the Early Identification of Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS, and the Healthy People 2020 Goals and Objectives. Of particular concerns are individuals unaware of their HIV serostatus; people who are HIV positive and have not been linked into HIV Medical Care; and those individuals who have fallen out of care. Communities of color and other traditionally underserved populations frequently reflect these situations.

Many people, including individuals living with HIV/AIDS, service providers, the two public health departments’ staff, consultants and others have participated in creating this plan. We want to express our deep thanks to all for their dedication and commitment to working together to strengthen and improve our integrated, coordinated, comprehensive prevention and care system. The Planning Committee has coordinated the development of this plan for FY 2013-2016 including:

1. Review of the Comprehensive Plan guidance and care system expectations from the Health Resources and Services Administration which administers the Ryan White Program.

2. Development and implementation of a Comprehensive Needs Assessment including a review of epidemiological data and major consumer survey to determine estimated unaware population, unmet need, service gaps, barriers to care, and disparities in care.

3. Facilitating the Planning Council’s decision-making for the establishment of priority services and the allocation of funds for direct core health and support services that reflect the TGA’s vision and values.

4. Examining the TGA’s current Continuum of Prevention and Care leading to a revised “ideal” comprehensive and responsive system of HIV healthcare and support services funded by Ryan White resources and other public/private collaborations and partnerships.

5. Recommending local, quantified objectives with strategies and activities for attaining each of the three National HIV/AIDS Strategy Goals.

Please join us in reviewing this important plan. This public review draft will be released May 03, 2012 and the deadline for feedback is May 16, 2012. Final action on the plan will occur on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the IEHPC Planning Council meeting at 12:30pm in Palm Springs.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Scott Rigsby at (909) 388-0400.

DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE HIV SERVICES PLAN

2012 Priority Setting and Resource Allocation Summit

Each year 40,000 people become newly infected with HIV in the US. People with AIDS are living up to ten years longer. New priorities must be made on how best to take care of those in need.

The Inland Empire HIV Planning Council serves as the policy making body for HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. We prioritize and allocate about $7 million each year. We are seeking willing citizen members to provide input and join in the process.

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