Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program RESOURCE TOOL KIT

2018 | Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 | www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 2

Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 5 TOOL KIT AIMS & PURPOSE ...... 6 HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE TOOL KIT ...... 6 CONTACT INFORMATION...... 7 GEORGIA EQUALITY/EQUALITY FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA...... 7 MISSION ...... 7 GEORGIA EQUALITY, INC...... 7 EQUALITY FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA ...... 7 THE GEORGIA HIV ADVOCACY NETWORK ...... 8 HIV POLICY FIELD STAFF ...... 8 THE YOUTH HIV POLICY ADVISORS PROGRAM (YHPA) ...... 9 HIV IN METRO ATLANTA—THE PROBLEM ...... 9 WHY POLICY MATTERS FOR YOUTH LIVING WITH HIV ...... 9 PROGRAM AIMS ...... 11 Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA) ...... 11 PLANNING A YHPA PROGRAM ...... 13 TIMELINE AND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ...... 13 STIPENDS ...... 14 ELIGIBILITY ...... 14 RECRUITMENT ...... 15 APPLICATIONS & ON-BOARDING ...... 16 YHPA Application Questions ...... 16 Interviews ...... 17 Acceptance Letters ...... 17 Acceptance Form ...... 18 Orientation Paperwork ...... 18 HIV Disclosure Agreements ...... 18 YHPA HIV Disclosure Process ...... 19 ELECTED OFFICIALS...... 20 Short-term Objectives ...... 20 Long-term Objectives ...... 20 Program Benefits for Matched Officials ...... 20 Matching ...... 21 Matched Officials’ Involvement ...... 21 Ideas to Increase the Involvement of Matched Officials ...... 24 HIV & POLICY KNOWLEDGE PRE-TEST ...... 25 PRE-PROGRAM READING LIST ...... 25 Section 1: HIV Basics ...... 26 Section 2: HIV Fact Sheets ...... 26 Section 3: HIV History ...... 26 TRAINING PROGRAM OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES ...... 27 HIV & POLICY TRAINING MODULES ...... 30 Orientation, Expectations ...... 31

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HIV 101 & Communicating about HIV ...... 33 Cultural Humility and Anti-Oppression Training ...... 37 HIV+ people in HIV Advocacy: The History you’re joining...... 39 HIV Status Disclosure: Friends, Family, the World...... 39 Principles of Policy and Advocacy ...... 40 “Root Cause” Analysis: Thinking Beyond Behavior ...... 42 HIV-specific Policy and Advocacy ...... 42 Community Organizing Workshop ...... 45 Elective Enrichment Workshop (3-5 hours) ...... 45 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ...... 45 Professional Photos ...... 45 Professional Bios ...... 45 Resumes ...... 45 Networking and Relationships ...... 46 Other skills ...... 46 THE POLICY AGENDA ...... 46 EVENTS ...... 48 Intergenerational Orientation Event ...... 48 World AIDS Day (WAD) Policy & Action Lunch ...... 52 EVALUATION ...... 55 YHPA Evaluation Examples ...... 56 Best Practices for Evaluation ...... 57 ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT ...... 57 Alumni Engagement Hall of Fame ...... 59 Future Plans for Continued Engagement ...... 60 MEDIA MENTIONS...... 60 INFRASTRUCTURE & SUSTAINABILITY ...... 61 FUNDING/BUDGET ...... 61 Example Program Budget ...... 62 LEADERSHIP & STAFF ...... 62 YOUTH RETENTION & RESILIENCE ...... 63 RESOURCE APPENDIX ...... 65 EMAIL BLAST ...... 65 RECRUITMENT FLYER ...... 66 PRESS RELEASE ...... 67 PARTICIPANT INFORMATION PACKET ...... 68 ACCEPTANCE LETTER ...... 75 PRE-ORIENTATION FORM ...... 79 HIV STATUS DISCLOSURE FORM ...... 80 MEDIA RELEASE FORM ...... 82 ELECTED OFFICIAL INVITATION LETTER ...... 84 HIV KNOWLEDGE PRE-TEST ...... 85 PRE-TEST ANSWER KEY ...... 89 BIO BUILDER WORKSHEET ...... 90 “CULTURAL COMPETENCY” SELF-REFLECTION EXERCISE ...... 91 THE RIVER METAPHOR DISCUSSION ...... 92

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INTERVENTIONS DEFINITIONS HANDOUT ...... 97 TYPES OF INTERVENTIONS COMPARED WORKSHEET ...... 99 WHO REPRESENTS US? WORKSHEET ...... 100 WRITING PROBLEM STATEMENTS WORKSHEET ...... 101 HIV POLICY BRAINSTORM WORKSHEET ...... 103 PRACTICE ADVOCACY WORKSHEET ...... 104 POLICY AGENDA QUESTIONS AND OUTLINE ...... 106 POLICY AGENDA QUESTIONS: HIV & HOMELESSNESS ...... 106 EVENT SIGN-IN SHEET ...... 108 WAD PLANNING ROLES & LOGISTICS ...... 109 WAD RUN OF SHOW ...... 110

This Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program Resource Tool Kit was prepared by Dr. Rose Grace Grose, Satcher Health Policy Leadership Fellow at the Satcher Health Policy Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, with invaluable assistance from Emily Brown, Eric Paulk, and Jeff Graham at the Equality Foundation of Georgia.

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Acknowledgements  Current and former staff at Georgia Equality/Equality Foundation of Georgia: Emily Brown, Eric Paulk, Jeff Graham, Amanda Hill-Attkisson, Chanel Haley, Wes Sanders, and Rob Woods.  Members of the Board of Directors for Georgia Equality/Equality Foundation of Georgia.  The Phillip Rush Center staff.  The Elton John AIDS Foundation.  Positive Organizing Project funding from AIDS United.  The elders living with HIV who participated in our events and shared their wisdom.  The Georgia HIV Justice Coalition.  The Elected Officials (see matched officials and World AIDS Day for lists).

“Unity and power in numbers.” –YHPA Participant

2015 YHPAs

Top (left to right): Lamar Yarborough, Michael D. Lawrence, Damonte Pettygrue, Brendan Allison, and Masonia Traylor. Bottom (left to right): Nina Martinez, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Ford, Christian Emile Dacus, D’Jona King, and Daniel Driffin.

2016 YHPAs

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 6

Left to right: Mahlon Randolph, Marxavian Jones, Deontez Wimbley, John Simpson, Alphonso Mills, and Antonio Newman, Jr. 2016 not pictured: Kleopatra McGlothin, Aaron Prince, De’Quan Williams, Ryan Peterson, Alfonza Lewis, and Javani Williams.

2017 YHPAs Antonius Minniefield, Jeremy Sims, Jamaan Parker, D’Angelo Morrison, Jennifer Barnes Balenciaga, Torrence Shaw, Richard Hutchinson, Kahlil Hall, Myles Mason. Tool Kit Aims & Purpose How to Use this Resource Tool Kit The purpose of this “Resource Tool Kit” is to Glossary of Abbreviations enhance the capacity of community-based AIDS –Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome organizations to create their own Youth HIV EFG –Equality Foundation of Georgia Policy Advisor (YHPA) programs. In April 2015 GA –Georgia Georgia Equality started the YHPA Program GE –Georgia Equality because “all laws and policies related to HIV HIV –Human Immunodeficiency Virus PLWHA – People Living with HIV/AIDS should be informed by the experiences of people WAD – World AIDS Day living with HIV.” The YHPA Program trains YHPA –Youth HIV Policy Advisors young people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Metro Atlanta in policy advocacy and provides them resources to educate state, city, and county- Suggested Non-Stigmatizing Language level policymakers to make better decisions Sometimes, people get equated with their HIV related to HIV prevention and treatment. Herein status/diagnosis. Equating a person with a disease can be stigmatizing and dehumanizing. We try to we document the planning and implementation use the person-centered language of “People processes for the Equality Foundation of living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)” instead of Georgia’s YHPA Program. We provide tips and “HIV+ person” because it highlights that there is a tricks learned over the first three years of program living, breathing, human being involved. (2015-2017). Community-based organizations may choose to replicate some aspects of our YHPA program and/or may adapt some aspects to fit their unique needs and circumstances. One approach will likely not fit all. We share resources and ideas here so that others do not have to “reinvent the wheel.”

Notice to Readers: The Equality Foundation of Georgia encourages the broad use of this publication and the materials in the appendix of resources. We ask that you credit the source when using these materials, or their content, and that you do not alter or adapt these resources as if they were your own without prior permission.

Links to organizations and resources found in this document are provided solely as a service to the reader. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by Georgia Equality/Equality Federation of Georgia, and none should be inferred. Georgia Equality/Equality Federation of Georgia is not responsible for the content of the individual organization sites listed in this document.

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We appreciate your feedback on our resources and suggestions for new or revised resources.

Contact Information If you have comments or suggestions about this Resource Tool Kit, contact: [email protected]

Georgia Equality/Equality Foundation of Georgia

Mission Georgia Equality’s mission is to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and our allies throughout the state. We are two organizations – united with a common vision but serving unique functions in our work to achieve equality. Georgia Equality, Inc. (GE) works year-round to pass pro-equality legislation and elect fair-minded elected officials. Through the Equality Foundation of Georgia (EFG), we conduct voter registration and educational activities, provide information to decision makers, and work to organize and mobilize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) residents and allies to advance equality in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state. The two organizations have a combined membership of over 70,000 people with an email alert network of 34,000 individuals from throughout the state of Georgia. Our staff has seven (7) members: Executive Director, Deputy Director, Gender Inclusion Organizer, Development Director (vacant), Field Organizer and Development Associate, HIV Policy Organizer, and Outreach Organizer (vacant).

Georgia Equality, Inc. Georgia Equality, Inc. undertakes political action to build a fair majority in Georgia. We are currently implementing the Campaign for a Fair Majority – our strategic plan for LGBT equality in Georgia. Year-round lobbying and strategic involvement in state and local elections are working to build a bi-partisan fair majority in the state legislature and among local elected officials across the state. Contributions to Georgia Equality are not tax deductible as charitable contributions under the Internal Revenue Code because Georgia Equality is a 501(c)(4) political advocacy organization.

Equality Foundation of Georgia The Equality Foundation of Georgia supports the Campaign for a Fair Majority through education, training, and analysis. Through the Equality Foundation of Georgia, we conduct voter registration and education activities, provide information and resources for effective communication with decision makers, and work to organize and mobilize LGBT residents and allies to advance fairness in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state. Contributions to the Equality Foundation of Georgia are tax deductible as charitable contributions under the Internal Revenue Code to the extent allowed by law. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 8

The Georgia HIV Advocacy Network Georgia Equality created the Georgia HIV Advocacy Network in 2009. This statewide network of service providers and citizens advocates for HIV policy initiatives on both a state and county level through policy analysis, advocacy training and coordinated community activities.

HIV Policy Field Staff Emily Brown was HIV and Education Programs Director at Georgia Equality from 2015 to 2018. She developed and ran the YHPA Program for its first three cohorts (2015-2017). Emily joined Georgia Equality from Emory University School of Public Health, where she managed HIV research projects. In her spare time at Emory, Emily facilitated the formation of the Atlanta Coalition for LGBTQ Youth (ACFLY), a coalition of youth-serving providers in Metro Atlanta working to improve the services they provide to LGBTQ youth. Before moving to Atlanta in 2013, Emily lived most of her professional life in the Detroit area, working in HIV prevention with young people, managing health and HIV research projects and volunteering with people living with HIV. Emily has a passion for working with communities, schools and service providers to improve their ability to work with LGBTQ youth, teens and young adults. She holds a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Eric Paulk is the HIV Policy Field Organizer at Georgia Equality. In this role, he manages statewide advocacy and policy related to HIV. Prior to coming to Georgia Equality, Eric served as the Tyron Garner Fellow at Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest organization dedicated to advancing the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and individuals living with HIV. There, Paulk’s work focused on the intersections of race, class, and sexuality with an emphasis on HIV and the law. Recognized as an emerging leader and passionate advocate for civil rights, Eric has spoken at leading law schools, and national advocacy conferences on HIV criminal reform, the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline on black queer youth, and the intersectionality of race, poverty, HIV, and LGBTQ issues. He serves on the Board of the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition and is the former board chair of GLSEN New York City. Paulk is also a 2017 Victory Empowerment Fellow. He is a graduate of Pace University Law School, and received his bachelor’s degree in Business from Morehouse College. Eric is the new leader for the YHPAs and is excited about helping to empower them to be advocates and advance policy. Contact: [email protected]

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 9

The Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program (YHPA)

HIV in Metro Atlanta—The Problem Georgia remains one of the states most heavily impacted by HIV in the U.S. Over 54,000 Georgians are living with HIV and 2,741 more were newly diagnosed in 2015. Our state ranks 5th for total number PLWHA and 5th among states in rate of new HIV diagnoses as of 2015. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of people living with HIV in Georgia reside in Metro Atlanta.1

From 2010 to 2015, 2,923 youth ages 13 to 24 were diagnosed with HIV in Metro Atlanta. Those living with HIV require complex medical care and daily medication to keep the virus controlled, stay healthy, and prevent transmission to others. Of all youth living with HIV in Metro Atlanta, only 36% regularly access medical care for HIV treatment and only 28% take medication regularly enough to achieve healthy immune system function.2 In 2015, over 81% of new HIV infections among youth are in males. Young, African-American gay and bisexual men are among the populations hardest hit by HIV in Metro Atlanta. Emory University researchers recently found that black, gay/bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) enrolled in an Atlanta-based study contracted HIV at a rate of 12% per year.3 At this rate, it is expected that 60% of black, gay/bisexual and other MSM will become infected by the time they reach age 30. It is likely that transgender women--especially trans women of color--are even more deeply affected by HIV, but no local data exists.

Young people are the future of Metro Atlanta, and healthy people are the pillars of a thriving city. Keeping young people healthy is the right thing to do, and it also saves money. The average cost of a lifetime with HIV is $379,668.4 For 2,923 youth infected between 2010 and 2015 in Metro Atlanta this means a sum total lifetime cost of $1,109,769,564.

Why Policy Matters for Youth Living with HIV Youth living with, and at risk for, HIV in Georgia today face significant structural barriers to “YHPA gives you a sense of being a prevention and care. For example, homelessness change agent. It makes you get out of and lack of access to healthcare are well- thinking about HIV when it comes documented barriers. In addition, they have been just to you, but what it means as a found to partially explain the enormous racial whole to the city of Atlanta.” disparity in new HIV infections between black and –YHPA Participant white gay/bisexual and other MSM in Metro

1 Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) HIV Adult Core Surveillance, available online at https://dph.georgia.gov/sites/dph.georgia.gov/files/HIV_EPI_Fact%20Sheet_Georgia%202015_04.14.17.pdf 2 GDPH special data request for youth-specific HIV data, pulled April 3, 2015 by Delmar Little. Contact Delmar Little with questions: [email protected]. 3 Sullivan, Patrick S., et al. (2014). Understanding racial HIV/STI disparities in black and white men who have sex with men: a multilevel approach. PloS One, 9.3, e90514. 4 https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/programresources/guidance/costeffectiveness/index.html

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Atlanta.5 HIV is just one of many complex issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth of color in Metro Atlanta. Structural and social differences that may be related to HIV prevention and care include: access to healthcare, housing and homelessness, unemployment, lack of LGBTQ-inclusive sexual education, LGBTQ discrimination, HIV criminalization, incarceration, and racial segregation in sexual networks. The social and policy- environment contributes to high levels of stigma, discrimination, and internalized stigma around HIV+ status and sexual orientation/gender identity. Stigma prevents PLWHA from seeking the services they need to stay healthy, and it also precludes their meaningful inclusion in community organizing. Advocacy around these structural/social determinants is needed to make an impact on our community’s epidemic.

Although policy advocacy formed the backbone of prevention and care in the epidemic’s early days, the service provision landscape in highly impacted cities like Atlanta has focused heavily on individual and small group level interventions like risk-based testing and counseling, condom education and school-based HIV presentations. The structural and social determinants of health are often overlooked and perceived as unchangeable. Direct service provision and behavioral interventions emphasizing abstinence or safer sex fail to address structural inequalities experienced by youth in Metro Atlanta and similar cities, and are inadequate in addressing root causes of this epidemic.

Competitive federal grants have supplied the vast majority of HIV prevention and care needs but little to no funding has been allocated specifically for local and state policy advocacy. Larger scale community-level interventions are occasionally funded to broaden the scope of HIV prevention/care messaging, but rarely do individuals living with or at risk for HIV receive support for structural interventions (defined as changes in policy or large-scale practices that are sustainable without the continuous application of work or services). Typically, advocacy is required for structural change, but advocacy is rarely, if ever, funded.

To end HIV and make sustainable “upstream” changes in areas like housing, healthcare access, resources for at-risk youth and scientifically accurate, standard HIV and sex education, providers and communities they serve need the support of those who make policy decisions and shape our social environment. Elected officials, clergy and other community leaders in Metro Atlanta may be aware that HIV still exists, but today they are largely left out of our response to it.

Many young PLWHA are already strong advocates for improving the way HIV prevention and care are provided in Metro Atlanta. PLWHA have formed the backbone of HIV policy change and activism since the beginning of the epidemic, and youth have historically led the charge. Over past three decades, while major advancements have been made in the field, advocacy has taken a back seat to HIV prevention and care direct service. Many of today’s youth have never been exposed to the organized advocacy strategies of their predecessors living with HIV. There is great need for a strong, diverse cohort of HIV policy and advocacy experts in Atlanta to educate our elected officials and ensure accountability to their HIV positive constituents.

5 Ibid.

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“It gives members of marginalized communities a voice to redefine the unacceptable.” –YHPA Participant

Program Aims The purpose of the YHPA Program is to unite those most impacted by HIV with our region’s most powerful leaders toward large-scale HIV policy change.

Short-term Goals 1. To educate elected officials about how HIV affects youth in Metro Atlanta. 2. To introduce elected officials to broad HIV policy goals potential policy areas for elected officials to think about. 3. To introduce elected officials to the personal side of HIV through a relationship with their Special Advisor on Youth HIV, who will provide them with their personal story and be available to answer questions about HIV/AIDS and related issues. 4. To expand policy advocacy skills among youth living with HIV. 5. To provide a leadership pipeline for young, HIV positive advocates. 6. To expand HIV awareness within participating elected officials’ constituencies.

Long-term Goals 1. To establish a polished, policy-savvy and advocacy-oriented network of young PLWHA in Atlanta. 2. To nurture a strong, personalized relationship between youth living with or affected by HIV and elected officials with highly affected constituencies. 3. To identify existing and generate new "champions" among elected officials who are committed to being the voice of HIV prevention and care in their respective legislative body/community. 4. To re-center Atlanta’s HIV advocacy in the lived experiences of PLWHA.

Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA) Through engaging with, training and coaching a cohort of youth policy advocates who are both living with HIV and willing to speak about their experiences publicly and make policy recommendations, we hope to re-center the local HIV conversation around those who have real, personal experience navigating the complex institutions of healthcare, housing, faith-based organizations, schools, and HIV service provision that govern our state’s response to the epidemic. Too often, our HIV “leaders” are those who govern resource allocation and not those who understand personally how those resources are to be utilized in the context of multiple, concurrent needs. The meaningful involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS is crucial. Our institutions exist in silos and in Metro Atlanta, and those silos exist in overlapping jurisdictions. Housing resources are allocated at the municipal level, HIV care and prevention are handled by our counties, healthcare is largely privatized, and education policy is decided upon at the state level with allowances at the local level that vary greatly by district. Individual lives exist at the confluence of these institutions, and some HIV programming incorporates these intersections (for example, there is HIV-related housing case management), but little HIV advocacy currently crossing these institutional lines.

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Through engaging with, training and coaching cohorts of young PLWHA and black MSM, we are hoping to re-center the local HIV conversation around those who have real, personal experience navigating the complex institutions that we are trying to change. The engagement will give voice to their experiences and to facilitate conversations with their own elected representatives and community leaders to whom they will ultimately provide education and make recommendations. This includes those serving in the Georgia State House of Representatives, the Georgia State Senate, Atlanta City Council, Fulton and DeKalb County Commissions, Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta housing leadership (The Atlanta Housing Authority, City of Atlanta Housing Continuum of Care and HOPWA administration), County and State health departments, local private healthcare leadership (the administration of our largest healthcare providers: Grady Health System and Emory University physicians group and three Federally Qualified Health Centers), the Atlanta Police Department, Georgia Department of Public Health, Fulton County Juvenile Detention Center, DeKalb County Children’s Welfare Services and several private, non- profit, youth-serving organizations.

“It’s important for elected leaders to have a better understanding of young people who live with HIV. Young people are the future.” –Matched Elected Official

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Planning a YHPA Program

Timeline and Schedule of Events Our YHPA Program runs approximately from July to December. The schedule has varied each year depending on staff obligations and participant schedules. Although the World AIDS Day (WAD) event is set on December 1st every year, there can be considerable flexibility in the structure of the training sessions portion of the program. Some organizations may choose to spread the trainings over two months, whereas others may find utility in condensing the sessions into four or six weeks. There are pros and cons of having sessions earlier in the summer or closer to WAD. Weekend sessions tend to work best in order to accommodate participant employment. Again, there is flexibility in that training sessions could take place every weekend on Saturday or every other weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.

YHPA General Timeline Event Date/Location Youth Recruitment May. City-wide, online. Application is Launched Online 1st week of June. Online. Youth Applications Due 3rd week of June. Online. Youth Interviews Done 4th week of June. The Phillip Rush Center. Final 10-12 youth selected and notified End of June. Online. Orientation Reception for participants and HIV Mid-July. Mid-week, 6-9pm. advocate elders Off-site event space. Training 1: Orientation, Expectations End of July. The Phillip Rush Center. Training 2: HIV 101 & Communicating about HIV August. The Phillip Rush Center. Training 3: Anti-Oppression training August. The Phillip Rush Center. Training 4: “Root Cause” analysis: Thinking beyond August. The Phillip Rush Center. behavior. Training 5: Principles of Policy and Advocacy August. The Phillip Rush Center, Capitol, & City Hall Training 6: HIV-specific Policy and Advocacy September. The Phillip Rush Center. Training 7: Community Organizing Workshop September. The Phillip Rush Center or other CBO. Elective Enrichment Workshop (3-5 hours) On their own time, before the end of December. Various Locations. Youth are Matched with Officials August-October Elected Officials/Staff Coffee Chats October-December World AIDS Day Planning/ October-November Agenda Development Meetings World AIDS Day-Atlanta Policy and Action Lunch December 1st, 9am - 3pm (lunch 11am- 1pm). Event space, off-site.

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Goals  Determine the calendar/timeline of the program in advance so participants and staff can plan ahead.  Communicate the timeline to applicants so they can guarantee they will be at all mandatory events. “The YHPA Program has this weird melting pot of mixing social support, with an outlined goal, sprinkling creativity, and incentivized work that creates this magical product when stirred with a great facilitator that's able to provide the education needed to empower the group with information about the current political climate and what we can do to be a change in it...or at least a wave.” –YHPA Participant

Stipends One of the unique aspects of this program is that we pay the participants a stipend to compensate for their time. Participants receive a per hour stipend for attendance at all courses and advocacy events, and receive MARTA cards as needed for transportation. In addition, food is provided at most events. This not only allows youth to participate regardless of their individual financial situation, but also helps them get used to reporting time and building basic job skills.

Although out stipend has been $10 per hour for the last three years, we intend to pay $15 in the future and encourage other organizations to do the same. It is important to build cross-cutting movements for social justice, and the Fight for 15 aligns with the core mission and goals of our YHPA program. In Atlanta, the mayor included a minimum wage increase to $15 in his fiscal year 2018 budget, in part due to efforts by advocacy organizations. Although this raise occurs over two years and only goes up to $13 in summer 2018, we plan to provide the raise in 2018.

If your organization is facing budget issues, consider hiring fewer YHPAs in order to be able to provide a $15 stipend (minimum).

Eligibility We do not have any other eligibility requirements beyond 1) age 18-30, 2) living with HIV, 3) willing to publically disclose their HIV status, and 4) living in Metro Atlanta. The geographic restriction to our YHPA Program is somewhat arbitrary, and is based on the fact that we do not have satellite offices elsewhere in the state or resources to help out-of-towners with transportation to the trainings. Discussions of expanding the program to be statewide in Georgia are underway, but that would require a large increase in funding and staffing.

We have avoided adding more stringent, restrictive criteria for a few reasons. First, the applicant pool is already limited, so imposing additional limitations would mean reaching fewer people. Second, after much back-and-forth the staff was unable to agree on other important criteria related to educational or other background qualifications. Enrolling youth who are “competent” in a particular area was deemed less important than meeting this community where they are.

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 15

However, there are financial incentives and logistical motivations for choosing to accept a smaller cohort.

We will likely add additional screening questions to the application moving forward to improve retention. When people drop out or are not able to participate fully, it impacts the experience of the entire group. Our approach thus far has essentially been let people weed themselves out, so to speak; erring on the side of inclusivity. We are considering adding screening questions that would attempt to identify youth with ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues or other life circumstances that impact their reliability. Having problems is not, in itself, a reason to exclude someone who would benefit greatly from the community and training, but there has to be a balance with the needs and safety of the group. Sometimes we have overlooked red flags in the past. We may also factor in being on time for the interview, rapport, and conversational skills for recruiting future cohorts.

If we had a more competitive process, we would likely accept youth who are already on their way to connecting “the personal with the political.” We are considering asking a question that elicits applicants’ beliefs about the root causes and contributors to the HIV epidemic. This would screen out people who believe that HIV is primarily a behavioral issue and that youth with HIV are irresponsible, and those who are unlikely to be able to move toward a structural analysis during the program. We would then focus more on youth who are already on their way to making connections between HIV and inequality, racism, LGBTQ sex education, etc. There are downsides to this approach, as youth with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences benefit a great deal from making connections with the community and accessing support and services though our program. We also acknowledge that the ability to articulate a structural analysis is tied to access to cultural capital and intellectual resources.

Recruitment When starting a YHPA program, it important to consider the connection that your organization already has to youth in the community. Do youth know who you are? Do they believe in your mission? Are they involved as members or volunteers? Do they trust your organization and see it as youth-friendly? Before we began the YHPA Program, EFG already had a track record of youth-centered programming through our Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Connect program, and partnership with Georgia Safe Schools Coalition and the Atlanta Coalition For LGBTQ Youth. This was crucial to the visibility of the YHPA Program when it first began.

Recruitment for the YHPA Program begins in early summer. Outreach to youth should begin even sooner. For example, community events organized around National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on April 10th are a great opportunity to get the word out. Flyers can be distributed at events, partner organizations, health care facilities, schools, and other locations. Directly connect to HIV service providers through email and in-person. Post to your organization’s social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) and to partner organization’s pages. Writing a press release for dissemination is also a great way to spread the word. Most of the YHPA alumni heard about our program through personal referrals (from Emily Brown, friends, colleagues, doctors, program alumni) so it is important to disseminate

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 16 information widely. Other sources of information reported by alumni included flyers, Facebook, indeed.com, and the Thrive SS network and support group “Undetectables Atlanta.”

Goals  Recruit early and get creative with recruitment methods.  Create and distribute an email blast and flyers to youth-specific HIV service providers to advertise program recruitment.  Set up one-on-one meetings with individual HIV service providers to inform them of program goals and encourage them to inform eligible patients.  Use social media to advertise in online networks of PLWHA.  Write a press release to advertise the program to a wide audience.  Have a clear, standardized application process for YHPAs.  Post the application information packet online well in advance.  Open the application with enough time to recruit a pool of applicants.

It can be challenging to recruit youth for programs like the YHPA, even in Metro Atlanta. One must consider the absolute number of youth between age 18 and 30 who are living with HIV in the area, and then remember that only a fraction of them will be willing to publically disclose, and only a fraction of them will have interest in participating in advocacy. After the first year, program alumni may also be able to help with recruitment through their social and professional networks. Indeed, 93% of our surveyed alumni reported recommending that someone they know should apply for the YHPA Program. However, recruitment may become more difficult as eligible and interested youth become alumni and the number of possible new participants decreases. What kinds of advertising and outreach will you need to reach this niche within your specific community?

Applications & On-Boarding We describe the application process for the YHPA Program clearly and thoroughly in a Participant Information Packet. We make the full packet downloadable as a PDF from the EFG website. Some introductory information is also on the website, but applicants should read the whole packet carefully because it includes a schedule of events, eligibility criteria, and application questions.

YHPA Application Questions The website and packet include a link to a Google Form or SurveyMonkey data collection system. The application requires interested youth to provide the following information: 1. First and last name (this does not necessarily need to be your legal name, but must be something we can use to uniquely identify you.) 2. Email Address (Email is the main way we will communicate with participants for this program. Please use an email address that you check often.) 3. Phone number (Please provide a number that is a reliable way to call or text you. If you don't have one, leave it blank.)

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4. Background information/Brief Biography (Briefly tell us about where you're from, your experiences living with HIV, your hopes and dreams, and some things that you enjoy doing.) 5. Why you would like to become a Youth HIV Policy Advisor (Why is it important to you to be an advocate for issues that affect people living with and at risk for HIV?) 6. Whether you will be able to fulfill program training and event attendance requirements. 7. Information about your work/school/life schedule and availability.

Interviews We tend to have about 20-30 applicants each year, and try to interview as many in-person as possible. It is sometimes necessary to do phone interviews. These interviews are structured more like casual chats, because the default has been acceptance into the program. Youth are asked open-ended questions about other activities and obligations (school, work), ability to commit, how they found out about the program, why they want to be involved, and how they feel about HIV disclosure. Sometimes it is necessary to clarify to applicants that the YHPA Program is not a speaker’s bureau and the focus is not on accepting people who can tell a cautionary tale about risky behavior. Staff conducting interviews should be well-informed about HIV services and organizations in the community so they can share resources and referrals as needed. For instance, applicants may need information about health care, housing, or legal services.

Applicants have been accepted if they showed up for the interview, could commit to attending the mandatory sessions, and showed an ability to talk about why they wanted to participate in the YHPA program. Scheduling difficulties/availability issues is the primary reason for someone not being hired. Another reason is hesitancy about disclosing their HIV status. With some frequency, accepted participants do not show up for the one-on-one meetings scheduled to sign their hiring documents (see section below on HIV Disclosure). This may be for a variety of reasons, including the decision not to continue with the program once they learn in more detail of the time commitment or status disclosure implications.

We have had several instances of youth not completing the program after they started. To some extent, this is expected. Many of the youth in this program periodically face unstable housing and income and often lack the social support necessary to engage fully. While we do not want to exclude those who are already marginalized, it is in the program’s best interest to attempt to retain as many participants as possible through the program’s completion. We are considering adding interview questions to identify youth who are unlikely to be able to fully participate in the program. For instance, “Considering everything that is going on in your life right now, how confident are you in your ability to attend the meetings.”

Acceptance Letters Those who are accepted receive a PDF acceptance letter sent via email. The letter contains an updated schedule of mandatory events and trainings and a link to the online acceptance form.

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Acceptance Form In the Pre-Orientation Form participants are asked to provide: 1) contact information, 2) availability for all tentative training dates, 3) a guarantee that they could attend World AIDS Day, 4) agreement that they were ready to speak publically about HIV (Yes, No, or Not sure—we need to talk more about this), 5) acceptance of the invitation to join the cohort, 6) agreement that they will do their best to attend all training and events, and 7) information about an immediate concerns or pressing issues they had before joining.

After completing the online form, the facilitator imitates a phone call to set up an in-person meeting and sends on-boarding paperwork via email. They officially join the program when they sign consent forms in-person.

Orientation Paperwork YHPAs accepted into the program return their W-9 tax form, HIV Status Disclosure Form, and Media Release Form in person before the first day of training.

HIV Disclosure Agreements The power of the YHPA Program is that youth living with HIV learn to advocate for themselves and their communities, taking their place at the table. YHPAs are involved in promoting policies that benefit PLWHA through one-on-one meetings with elected officials, media campaigns, trainings, and policy events. As such, YHPAs must be willing to publically disclose their HIV status in order to be a voice working to raise the awareness of elected officials, leaders, and decision-makers about living with HIV as a young person in Metro Atlanta. Even if the YHPAs were never to verbally disclose their status, simply being associated with the YHPA Program implies that they are living with HIV

Our YHPA Program involves an extensive informed consent process to ensure due diligence in educating participants about the program requirements and what HIV disclosure could mean for them. To this day there is considerable personal and professional risk involved in publically disclosing one’s HIV status. Stigma and discrimination are widespread, particularly in the Southern United States. It is essential that youth coming into the program have thoroughly considered the potential benefits and consequences of disclosing their HIV status to their families, friends, and the public. Marginalized youth in Metro Atlanta are often recruited for research and programs, and may be in the habit of signing agreements without reading all of the fine print. We want potential participants to consider disclosure carefully because their safety and well-being are important, and we do not take HIV status disclosure lightly. Sharing one’s HIV status is a different journey for everyone, and we recognize that public disclosure is not safe or comfortable for everyone.

During the application process, program staff do everything possible to ensure the confidentiality of applicants' identities. Only the Program Manager has direct access to the information youth submit in their application.

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Goals  Ensure applicants are informed about the potential risks involved in public disclosure of their HIV status.  Ensure applicants are informed about some of the possible venues and circumstances they may encounter in the YHPA Program that could involve HIV status disclosure.  Ensure applicants are informed that local, national, or global media could broadcast what they say to various audiences.  Ensure applicants know that the organization is unable to protect them from any problems stemming from HIV status disclosure. This includes problems with family, friends/peers or communities, legal or criminal violations.  Ensure applicants know that they can choose to leave the YHPA Program at any time.  Ensure applicants know that if they applied for the YHPA Program but have changed their mind, that the organization will protect their identity and delete their information from existing documentation.  Record YHPA’s written acceptance of personal and professional risk.  Record YHPA’s agreement that photos and video of them may be used publically for advocacy and to promote the YHPA Program.

YHPA HIV Disclosure Process 1. The YHPA official Participant Application and Information Packet explicitly states the eligibility requirements of the program. Youth must be living with HIV (have been diagnosed as HIV+) and “Willing to talk openly to others including elected officials and potentially the media about being HIV positive.” 2. The YHPA application and information packet includes a confidentiality statement describing what program staff do to keep applicant information safe. 3. Staff conducts individual interviews with all eligible applicants that demonstrated a commitment to meeting the program attendance requirements. During these interviews, staff discusses HIV status disclosure. They assess whether applicants are informed and prepared by asking questions like: “if your grandmother saw an interview on TV with you talking about HIV what would that be like?” If applicants feel any ambivalence they are encouraged not to participate. 4. The Participant Acceptance Letter is sent to all youth accepted into the program. The letter repeats the HIV status disclosure eligibility requirement: “1. By joining this program, you are agreeing to discuss your positive HIV status with the program staff, elected officials and potentially the media, and 2. That program staff will be unable to guarantee anonymity or confidentiality if you speak publicly about your status.” 5. The Pre-Orientation Form (run on SurveyMonkey.com) asks YHPAs to answer the question: “Are you sure you're ready to speak publicly about living with HIV? As mentioned in your interview, there may be media/press involved.” 6. The HIV Status Disclosure Form has YHPAs initial a series of statements and sign their name acknowledging that they understand the statements and the risk. Program staff also signs the form. This is done in a one-on-one, in-person meeting after YHPAs had a chance to read the information and consider it carefully. Occasionally, YHPAs were unsure and wanted

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more time to disclose to a relative or check with another important person in their life before signing. 7. YHPAs sign a Media Release Form allowing EFG to use their picture (photographic, motion picture, and electronic (video) images) and their voice (sound and video recordings).

Elected Officials The purpose of this program is to unite two disparate groups to work toward the important common goal of HIV advocacy. We want to provide as many avenues for YHPAs to have their voices heard as possible. Ideally, all YHPAs would be paired with a Metro Atlanta elected official to serve as their “Special Advisor on Youth HIV.” The YHPAs would educate their designated elected official on policies that would help end Atlanta’s HIV epidemic and care for those living with the virus. They would meet with their designated elected official to tell their story, provide HIV education, and make policy suggestions on behalf of youth living with HIV.

Short-term Objectives  To give interested elected officials an overview of how HIV affects youth in Metro Atlanta.  To introduce broad policy areas for elected officials to think about (policy goals that address both HIV directly and social/structural determinants of HIV risk, especially issues affecting young, black gay men in Atlanta).  To introduce elected officials to their personal Youth HIV Advisor (“Special Youth HIV Advisor to Senator Fort” for example), who will provide them with their personal story and be available to answer questions about HIV/AIDS and related issues.  To outline a series of meetings between Advisors and legislators throughout the year, culminating in World AIDS Day (WAD) activities.

Long-term Objectives  To establish a cohort of young PLWHA in Atlanta who feel prepared to advocate for HIV- related policy change.  To nurture a strong and personal relationship between youth living with or affected by HIV, and elected officials with highly affected constituencies.  To identify true "champions" among elected officials who are committed to being the voice of HIV prevention and care in their respective legislative body/community.

“A lot of us know people that have HIV, so having the opportunity to spend more in-depth time with someone, it’s like experiential learning.” –Matched Elected Official

Program Benefits for Matched Officials We aim for the program to be beneficial to the matched elected officials. We tell them: “Elected officials who participate have access to personalized, on-demand HIV information provided by someone with first-hand experience and knowledge. Elected officials who take full advantage of the program will learn exactly how they can use the power of policy to make a difference in the lives of youth at risk for and living with HIV in Metro Atlanta. Participating elected officials will also receive:

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 Multiple media and photo opportunities,  Access to the latest available local HIV information,  Access to a personal, on-demand Special Adviser on Youth HIV to answer HIV-related questions relevant to your district or constituency,  Expert advice on how to fight for people living with HIV in the GA legislature, Atlanta City Council, County Commissions or School Boards.”

Matching The matching process for the YHPA Program varied across our three cohorts. It was not unusual for matched officials not to respond, regardless of the method used. 2015: In our inaugural year, elected officials were recruited before the program began. Officials were invited based on whether they were allies and advocates for related issues and whether we thought they would be interested in the program. The list of officials was posted before YHPA applications were submitted. Officials were matched with one (sometimes two) YHPA. 2016: In the second year, we invited elected officials based on the electoral districts of the YHPAs with an invitation letter. We thought that engagement would increase if the YHPAs were constituents. Matched officials were invited after the program began and we knew where YHPAs were living. 2017: Similar to 2016, we focused on districts in which YHPAs were constituents. However, 2017 was an election year for many of the citywide offices from which we typically recruit. Many run-off elections occurred after WAD. This greatly affected our ability to match participants. It was hard to secure commitment from community leaders who did not know whether they would be serving, although in one case, both candidates attended the event.

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Matched Officials’ Involvement Originally we planned for YHPAs to meet with their matched officials three (3) times.

1. The first was at an HIV Lunch & Learn event in October, at which the elected officials were seated with their Special Advisor on Youth HIV. YHPAs present important youth HIV information to attendees along with information about the domains of HIV policy in which they are interested. A facilitator/keynote speaker walks participants through structured discussions between elected officials and the YHPAs.

In 2015, we did the Lunch & Learn event. It was definitely meaningful to have a sit-down discussion in a semi-formal environment. Other policymakers and community leaders attended this event beyond the cohort of match officials. However, we learned that it was not feasible to continue to host two large-scale events without more funding and staff. In subsequent years the officials were invited to only the WAD lunch.

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2. The second interaction is an hour-long “Coffee Chat”/one-on-one meeting with the matched official. After gaining more familiarity at this meeting, the matched official could then reach out to the YHPA and request information, ask questions about HIV, or request YHPA presence at HIV-related hearings or similar events. The primary goals of these meetings are to have YHPAs 1) practice their networking skills, 2) build connections to representative elected officials, and 3) discuss elected officials’ roles in HIV prevention/care policy.

According to our alumni survey, 70% in 2015, 33.3% in 2016, and 60% in 2017 reported that they had one-on-one meetings with matched officials. In 2016 a group of YHPAs met with Representative Park Cannon and “had a wonderful, informative time and exchange of ideas.” Open-ended responses to the alumni survey revealed that YHPAs wanted more meetings and interactions. One YHPA suggested that policy makers could suggest meeting locations in their districts, or host YHPAs at the Capitol. Another YHPA said: “I think the policy advisors should be actively working with the city leaders throughout the program.” With more staff, we would be able to do more handholding and organizing to ensure YHPAs were all able to meet one-on-one with matched officials.

3. The third interaction is World AIDS Day, held on December 1st. At this event the YHPAs present their policy agenda to the matched officials.

Consistently, each year the matched officials have participated in WAD to hear from the YHPAs. This event is the culmination of the trainings and an opportunity for YHPAs to translate their lived experience and new expertise to the matched officials and other attendees who may or may not have HIV on their radar. When we designed the program we had high hopes for the involvement of matched officials. In practice, the involvement has been nominal. Generally, we have kept our expectations quite low for matched officials, and sometimes even the staunchest allies have been hard to pin down. In 2016 and 2017 we hoped for longer-term involvement, and proposed that YHPAs would work with their matched elected official’s staff to select a project to work on in the matched official’s district that will raise community awareness about HIV. We called this program element the #EndHIVATL “Do 1 Thing” Project. We thought the projects could take place after the trainings and be showcased at the WAD lunch. We proposed that the matched officials could:  Host an HIV town hall in their district,  Host HIV testing one time in their district office,  Make a public statement to their constituents about HIV at least twice before WAD (once from their official email account, once from the House/Senate/Commission/City Hall floor),  Offer a resolution recognizing importance of the issue in Atlanta and work that has been done,  Encourage one of their colleagues to join YHPA program for the next year,  Get tested publicly for HIV during a public statement,  Host an educational event about HIV for their colleagues in the House, Senate, City Council, County Commission or School Board.

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Ultimately, there was not enough time and commitment to execute these projects in the designated time frame. If we had a support staff position to help coordinate and facilitate relationships with matched officials, we would propose that these projects occur after WAD in the next calendar year.

2015 Officials Georgia State Representative Simone Bell Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Eaves Rev. Dr. Damon P. Williams of Providence Baptist Church Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner Georgia State Representative Keisha Waites Atlanta City Council Member Alex Wan Georgia State Senator Nan Orrock Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort Georgia State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler Georgia State Representative Pat Gardner Georgia State Representative Karla Drenner

2016 Officials Georgia State Representative Park Cannon Georgia State Representative William K Boddie Jr. Georgia State Representative Pam Dickerson Georgia State Representative Stacey Evans Georgia State Representative Donzella James Georgia State Representative “Able” Mable Thomas DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson Georgia State Senator Emanuel Jones Georgia State Senator Nan Orrock East Point City Councilmember Karen Rene Atlanta City Council Member Alex Wan Atlanta School Board Member Matt Westmoreland

2017 Officials Georgia State Representative Park Cannon Georgia State Representative Michele Henson Georgia State Senator Gloria Butler Georgia State Senator Valencia Seay Georgia State Senate Candidate Nikema Williams City Council Presidential Candidate Alex Wan City Council President Elect Felicia Moore City Council Member Howard Shook City Council Member Amir Farokhi City Council Member Ivory Lee Young

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“YHPA has given me a since of hope and direction for the future. I now also want to become an elected official and make power moves within the community.” –YHPA Participant

Ideas to Increase the Involvement of Matched Officials  Detail the roles and expectations of the matched officials clearly in writing.  Stay flexible and open to changing the system each year to get maximum involvement.  Create continuity between YHPAs for matched officials who participate yearly.  Take into account the passion, interest, awareness, and reliability of the YHPAs when matching them with high-powered electives. While there is power in matching officials with YHPAs who are constituents, it may not always be the best match. If an elected official is likely to be able to move a piece of legislation, matching them with a YHPA who is “highly engaged” in that particular area of policy would be best.  When officials were matched before WAD they seemed more likely to show up, but it may also be useful to gauge their interest based on whether they attend the event.  Create an advisory board to bridge the gap between matched officials and YHPAs. Matched officials who participate regularly could provide tips on best practices and information on the program framework.  Appoint a “champion” matched official who can help recruit and match officials, motivate officials to attend events and meetings, and provide support on that end. The champion would get some kind of public recognition.  Have a competitive process during the YHPA program to select a small number of YHPAs who are matched with officials after WAD. They are paid for their time spent working on a community project, participating in advocacy days at the Capitol, and attending other events during the legislative session (January-March in Georgia).  Create a badge or logo for matched officials to share on their websites.  Visit a city council meeting with YHPAs. Match YHPAs with council members on the spot for maximum impact.  Host an event at the State Capitol around specific legislation and provide legislators with food for attending.  Carefully consider the question of breadth versus depth. Is it better involve more conservative officials and get them to participate in one meeting with someone who has HIV, or to meet over and over with progressive individuals? With conservatives you may risk shutting down the conversation and traumatizing YHPAs if the YHPA doesn’t meet the “innocent victim” stereotype. With progressives, you may just be preaching to the choir. We have tended to involve officials based on their prior commitment to progressive policies, and have found that even progressive officials need education on HIV basics and the connection between HIV and structural issues (i.e., housing, the justice system).

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 Consider the scope of the program—involving the state legislature may not be feasible or desirable. The program could just involve elected city officials who will take the lead on HIV policy citywide.

HIV & Policy Knowledge Pre-test In order to tailor the workshops to the needs of the current cohort, YHPAs complete an HIV Knowledge Pre-Test. The pre-test covers transmission, prevention, epidemiology/prevalence in certain communities, HIV-related laws, and policy solutions. There are fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, true/false, and open-ended questions. The HIV knowledge questions were adopted from the HIV-KQ-18 scale6 and the others were written using recent HIV surveillance data from the Georgia Department of Public Health.7 They were scored using an answer key. We recommend that organizations include a date on their pre-test so they can be sure to update the information periodically. Our pre-test is Georgia-specific, so organizations will want to create their own questions related to state-specific HIV prevalence and policies.

We do an anonymous pre-test so YHPAs will not feel shy about answering the questions honestly and to the best of their ability. The downside to an anonymous pre-test is that it cannot be connected to a post-test. In order to use a knowledge pre-test as part of an evaluation, you would need to create a system using names or identification numbers they will remember in order to match the pre-test with a post-test (see section on Evaluation below).

The same test is administered to YHPAs upon completion of the program to determine if program participation improved test scores for the group overall.

Pre-Program Reading List Youth who join a program like YHPA will come from different backgrounds and experiences. For some, years may have passed since their HIV diagnosis. They could be already be connected to online support networks like Thrive SS or in-person groups. They could be already be involved in HIV service or advocacy organizations as volunteers and employees. For others, an HIV diagnosis could be recent and the program could be the first time they get in-depth information about what it means to be HIV+. According to our alumni survey, the years since the YHPAs in our Atlanta-based program had been diagnosed ranged from 2 to 26. As a result, in any given cohort, youth could enter the program with vastly different baseline understandings about the transmission, treatment, and prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

We assign a set of brief fact sheets as required pre-reading to be completed in advance of the start of the program. Readings can be shared via a folder on GoogleDocs or as hard copies. Although the reading is meant to be completed in advance, in reality the amount read by each YHPA was quite variable. Organizations might consider quizzes or other activities to check

6 Carey, M. P., & Schroder, K. E. E. (2002). Development and psychometric evaluation of the brief HIV knowledge questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18). AIDS Education and Prevention, 14, 174-184. 7 Georgia Department of Public Health. HIV Adult Core Surveillance, available online at http://dph.georgia.gov/data-fact-sheet-summaries

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 26 reading comprehension. In addition, the reading list below could be supplemented with videos, blogs, art, or other media that highlights the experiences of PLWHA. In our YHPA program, we shared information about local resources and social services during the information sessions, but they also be added to the list of pre-readings.

Goals  Provide YHPAs with accurate information about HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment.  Provide YHPAs with current statistics about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in their state and in the US more broadly.  Provide program participants with current information about the similarities and differences of HIV risk and prevalence for diverse groups (i.e., men who have sex with men, women, transgender people, mixed-status couples, Black Americans, etc.).  Build a foundation of HIV knowledge that can be utilized in HIV 101 presentations and advocacy efforts.

Section 1: HIV Basics 1. HIV Transmission 2. HIV Testing 3. HIV and Safer Sex 4. Condoms & Lubricants 5. Emergency HIV Treatment 6. HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections 7. STDs and HIV, How to Use a Condom 8. HIV & Mixed-Status Couples 9. HIV & Harm Reduction from Injecting Drugs 10. HIV & Sex Work 11. HIV & Women who have Sex with Women 12. HIV & Men who have Sex with Men 13. HIV & Pregnancy

Section 2: HIV Fact Sheets 1. HIV Surveillance, Georgia 2015 2. The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2017) 3. Black Americans and HIV/AIDS (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2017) 4. Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014) 5. Latinos and HIV/AIDS (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014) 6. HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men (CDC, 2017) 7. HIV Among Transgender People in the United States (CDC, 2017) 8. HIV and Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (CDC, 2014)

Section 3: HIV History 1. The Denver Principles (1983)

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Training Program Overview & Objectives YHPAs are trained in the following areas to prepare them to educate elected officials and respond to various inquiries on the topic of HIV and policy. The dates and times of the trainings are decided upon after participants are selected based on their schedules, but are all held at the Phillip Rush Center (1530 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30307), a MARTA accessible and community-friendly venue with training facilities. Over time we have reduced the length of our trainings in response to participant feedback. They now run about three (3) hours, with lunch provided.

The following session topics can be combined or split, depending on the length of the trainings. The order of the sessions can be shifted around and topics can be cut or added. At a minimum, the program should cover key components: 1) HIV basic information to round out the edges of their prior knowledge, 2) social determinants of health and HIV, 3) communicating with elected officials and the general public about HIV, 4) how policy works, 5) advocacy around HIV- related issues, and 6) synthesizing their ideas and experiences around barriers to HIV prevention and treatment into policy actions and “asks” to lawmakers. Additional trainings and workshops could draw on the expertise of program staff and other partnering organizations (see below for some examples).

Although the course topics should be decided on in advance, there will likely need to be flexibility and adaptation as the program progresses. Participants may raise additional topics that should be added. Unforeseen circumstances may mean that topics get cut. Connections can be made with earlier sessions, topics can be revisited as needed, and learning objectives can overlap several sessions. We have tried to remain fluid and flexible so we can accommodate the needs and interests of each cohort.

Goals  Develop a training program that includes foundational knowledge on HIV, the social determinants of health and HIV, how to communicate with elected officials and the general public, how policy works, how to do advocacy around HIV-related issues, and how to synthesize lived experience into policy actions and “asks” to matched officials.  Provide a summary of the training topics to applicants, participants, funders, and the public.  Describe the learning objectives and goals of each training session in advance to facilitate transparency and evaluation.  Create a program with enough structure that YHPAs come away with more knowledge about HIV and policy, a greater ability to think critically and advocate for themselves, and guidance for where to find more information.

This table below provides a brief overview of each training module and its learning objectives. Learning objectives are concrete outcomes we hope YHPAs will walk away with from each individual session.

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YHPA Training Program Module Overview After this session, YHPAs should be able to: Orientation, YHPAs are introduced to the  Understand program requirements and Expectations program and each other in a expectations. casual environment. Sometimes  Know other participants in the program. this event involves YHPA  Contact others living with HIV for alumni. support. HIV 101 & YHPAs will get a basic  Explain how HIV is transmitted. Communicating overview of modern HIV science  Explain how HIV is treated. about HIV (epidemiology, prevention, care,  Name reliable and unreliable sources for social determinants, myths & HIV information. facts). They will learn to talk  Conduct a basic educational presentation about basic HIV knowledge in a about HIV (an “HIV 101”). concise and effective way.  Answer basic questions about HIV. Cultural Humility YHPAs will learn why cultural  Define cultural competency and cultural and Anti- competency/humility is humility. Oppression important for HIV policy  Approach issues of HIV status, race, Training advisors. They will collectively gender identity, sexual orientation, and decide how they want to talk age in a culturally competent and sensitive about HIV status, race, gender manner. identity, sexual orientation, and  Describe how interconnected systems of age throughout the program. oppression relate to HIV advocacy. They will gain tools to address and change oppressive dynamics in their HIV advocacy. HIV+ people in YHPAs will learn about how  Explain how PLWHA created an HIV Advocacy: their work fits into a historical environment for policy change. The History you’re tradition of PLWHA leading  Articulate the importance of centering joining advocacy, and how HIV PLWHA people in today’s advocacy advocacy fits into other local environment. [typically combined Atlanta movements.  Understand the importance of being status w/ another course] “out” in their advocacy.  Articulate why Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA) is important. HIV status YHPAs will discuss disclosure  Draw upon practice and strategies to disclosure: Friends, experiences and learn methods disclose HIV status to friends and family. family, the World of disclosure that work for  Draw upon strategies to avoid problematic various relationships and media experiences. [typically combined scenarios, as well as where to  Find more resources to support healthy w/ another course] find support while dealing with disclosure. blowback.

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“Root Cause” YHPAs will conduct “root  Understand why and how to conduct a analysis: Thinking cause” analyses of common root cause analysis. beyond behavior. behavioral risk behaviors for  Understand how focusing on risk behavior What’s the point of HIV. They will review past may be detrimental to our fight against policy? year’s YHPA policy agenda. HIV. This session will contextualize  Describe in layperson’s terms how social policy as a structural determinants of HIV affect HIV intervention for HIV. prevention and care.  Describe “root causes” of HIV in Metro Atlanta.  Understand and articulate how policy relates to HIV prevention and care.  Discuss why Georgia and the South are highly impacted by HIV. Principles of Policy YHPAs will learn the policy  Explain how bills are introduced in and and Advocacy process from the ground up, the move through the GA legislature. role of citizens in advocacy,  Discuss how city ordinances are passed. basics of GA legislature, Metro  Explain how federal laws and policies Atlanta jurisdictions and how to play out locally. effectively communicate with  Explain how activists/advocates influence elected officials. Training should policy and law in GA, Atlanta or cover direct action, lobbying, nationally. etc. This session includes a trip to the state Capitol and City Hall. HIV-specific Policy Overview of specific HIV-  Identify avenues of federal, state and local and Advocacy related policies that might arise funding related to HIV prevention, care in the legislative session, history and research. of HIV policy/advocacy in US  Describe how policy is made around and GA, policies/laws that affect several special topics in HIV prevention social/structural determinants of and care. health/HIV risk in Atlanta.  Suggest policy or structural changes that Past topics have included: would make an impact on HIV in Metro - HIV criminalization Atlanta. - Sex Education  Create a policy strategy framework for - LGBTQ discrimination and better HIV prevention/care in Metro racial bias Atlanta. - Housing & homelessness Community YHPAs will learn how to  Define community organizing. Organizing organize their peers to engage in  Lead a group of peers through the process Workshop problem identification and of resolving a social problem. strategic community organizing  Describe tactics for winning support for for reform. strategic initiatives. Elective YHPAs will choose an HIV,  Demonstrate area expertise & experience. Enrichment policy, or social justice-oriented  Build connections to HIV, policy and/or Workshop (3-5 workshop to attend in Atlanta social justice organizations in Atlanta. hours) before December 15th

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Possible Program Additions Course Overview Participants should be able to: Public Speaking YHPAs will learn effective  Select a compelling story about living and Effective techniques for managing anxiety with HIV (i.e. diagnosis, coming to terms, Media around public speaking, making disclosure, overcoming obstacles, etc.). Communication clear points and avoiding  Tell a compelling HIV experience story in awkward, stigmatizing or 5 minutes or less, following storytelling antiquated messaging around guidelines. HIV. The training will cover dos  Articulate tips for managing stress and and don’ts of speaking to anxiety. reporters, prioritizing messages  Articulate dos and don’ts for talking to the and when to decline an press. interview. Being an Effective YHPAs will be trained on  Articulate acceptable behavior in the and Professional professional etiquette, time professional setting. Volunteer or management, responding in a  Describe acceptable working conditions in Employee timely and effective manner to the non-profit setting, how to elected officials' inquiries, communicate problems and manage conducting research and performance expectations. preparing briefings, requesting  Articulate protocols for responding to meetings with elected officials, elected officials’ inquiries. responding to requests for speaking engagements, communicating with HIV prevention and care professionals, and how to ask for help. Test Counselor YHPAs will be trained as HIV  Operate common types of HIV testing Training test counselors to enhance their technologies. skill sets will be trained in a  Conduct pre and post test counseling for three-module process and those who wish to be tested for HIV. matched with AIDS Service  Work with ASOs to shadow HIV testers Organizations (ASOs) in Metro and learn to conduct volunteer HIV Atlanta to shadow testers in the testing. field, conduct testing as volunteers.

“It allows those living with HIV time to learn about the disease, brings a lot of self awareness, and it empowers us to do more for ourselves and community.” –YHPA Participant

HIV & Policy Training Modules We have typically grouped the following HIV and policy training modules into 7 sessions. Again, the following modules should be customized to meet the unique needs of your group in

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 31 terms of size, location, age, and ability. The interactive activities and discussions below should be interpreted as suggestions and options. Generally, we’ve moved away from lecture-style presentations toward more conversational sessions. It is a good idea to review/recap the previous training at the beginning of each session (not included below).

When possible, we have provided estimated times for activities, but this too has varied across the years. The underlying aim is to provide YHPAs with thorough advocacy training and as much practice doing advocacy as possible.

Orientation, Expectations On the first day of the trainings, YHPAs are introduced to the program and each other in a casual environment. Sometimes this event involves YHPA alumni.

Learning Objectives  Understand program requirements and expectations.  Know other participants in the program.  Contact others living with HIV for support.

Introductions YHPAs get to know one another through interactive ice-breaker activities. For example, they might create an “Art project” that includes responses to: What are 10 words that describe you and your journey? They can be a couple of sentences or just random words. YHPAs use the Bio Builder Worksheet to write their biographies in pairs. Then they introduce their partner to the group. Our alumni survey revealed that more time should be spent on team-building activities and relationship building. This orientation day would be a great place to begin to build connections and common ground.

Values Vote Activity In a Values Vote activity, the facilitator makes a “controversial” statement and asks folks to move to the side of the room that expresses their agreement/disagreement. They can choose to strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree, which are labeled on the walls of the room. Then there is a discussion about the topic. This gives the facilitator an idea of their beliefs/ideologies and where the group will need to go with the trainings, who might need more information, and who the thought leaders are. This often turns into a debate and helps the group get to know each other.

Do YHPAs agree: 1. Sometimes it’s good for people to be afraid of HIV. 2. Behavior change is the answer to ending HIV. 3. PLWHA are generally more qualified than other people to talk about HIV. 4. HIV is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. 5. PLWHA should be arrested if they have sex with someone with out disclosing their status.

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Program Overview The program facilitator describes the program to the group and answer questions. To engage YHPAs, you might ask participants what they are looking forward to and what they think they will find challenging. This is the time to clearly articulate the program objectives in a manner that makes it possible to revisit those objectives throughout the program.

Example Expectations

Program expectations:  Be at trainings and events. Youth will be expected to attend at least 6 of the 7 courses, but attendance at all 7 courses is strongly recommended.  Be on time for trainings.  If you’re going to be 15+ minutes late, please text me.  Do what you say you will do.  When the group is counting on you, make sure you prioritize accordingly  Email or call me back within ______hours/days/etc.?  What else? What do you expect from your peers.

A thorough discussion about what the YHPAs expect from their peers is helpful for team- building and promoting accountability to the group. Your organization might consider having them create a “contract” to each other and to the organization.

What you can expect from me:  I will pay you. Checks are cut Wednesdays after trainings/events.  I will let you know when things change as soon as I can.  I will email you everything so you have things in writing.  I will meet you half way. This program is what you make it.  I will send you jobs and other opportunities that I think will be a good fit for you.  I genuinely want you to succeed.  I will do my best not to tokenize you for any reason.  I will listen.  I will expect you to show that you are dedicated to this program and your peers.  I will operate under the assumption that you are trying unless you show me otherwise.

Barriers to Meeting Expectations We expect YHPAs to attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions, and recommend they attend all sessions. We try to emphasize the professional development aspect and argue it is important practice to be where you say you’re going to be and to be there on time.

Lack of medications, housing, food, and transportation are significant barriers to meeting program expectations and doing advocacy work. It is our goal to work with each YHPA to ensure streamlined connectivity to HIV care and wraparound services. The program facilitator works with individuals experiencing these issues and helps to link them to appropriate services.

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Realistically, though, due to hardships and unforeseen circumstances, YHPAs have sometimes missed more than one session.

Youth who are unable to fulfill program expectations are counseled and sometimes asked to forgo their advisory position if expectations cannot reasonably be met. The program facilitator works hard to accommodate participants’ schedules and needs. There is a fine balance between being accommodating to YHPAs unique lived experiences and needs and being too lenient. Organizations might consider virtual attendance or other flexible options for trainings to accommodate such difficulties.

HIV 101 & Communicating about HIV YHPAs get a basic overview of modern HIV science (epidemiology, prevention, care, social determinants, myths & facts). This session builds on the knowledge they will have acquired through engaging with the pre-reading in advance. They also learn to talk about basic HIV knowledge in a concise and effective way through short presentations. YHPAs are encouraged to practice HIV 101 presentations after this session with their peers or with each other, and seek out opportunities to conduct trainings in the community.

Learning Objectives  Explain how HIV is transmitted.  Explain how HIV is treated.  Name reliable and unreliable sources for HIV information.  Conduct a basic educational presentation about HIV (an “HIV 101”).  Answer basic questions about HIV.

HIV 101 Presentations Overview & Discussion Approximately 1.5 hours The program facilitator introduces the topic of HIV 101 presentations and leads discussion and activities.

Why are we doing this?  HIV 101 education presentations are the backbone of HIV community education at most organizations.  It’s a skill you’ll want to put on your resume if you want to work in the fields of HIV prevention, public health, policy, health education, social work, etc.  Many people believe you don’t really understand something until you explain it to others!  Most audiences don’t get a chance to learn about HIV and have a lot of unanswered questions.  Knowing and practicing the basics will help you educate friends/family/peers. Knowing where to find more answers will help you study and become an expert.  Your designated elected official needs you!

A good HIV 101 Presentation will be:  Interactive

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 Entertaining  Basic (language that is not too complicated or technical)  Relatable  Memorable  Honest and accurate information  NOT dependent on PowerPoint slides for all the answers

Self-Reflection Questions to about HIV 101 Training Individually reflect on the following questions:  Will you disclose your own HIV status during your presentation? Why or why not?  What questions would people ask you that might make you feel uncomfortable as a person living with HIV?  What audiences are you most comfortable doing this kind of presentation for?  What are your biggest fears about presenting HIV information to people?  What would make you feel more prepared to do HIV education presentations?

HIV 101 Small Group Discussion Discuss the following questions in small groups:  What does your community need to know about HIV? o Where do you live? o What other communities do you identify with? o What do the people where you live need to know about HIV/AIDS? o What do the people in your other communities need to know about HIV/AIDS?  When we teach our communities about HIV, what do our “presentations” look like?

Working in small groups, come up with a list of the “Top 5 things everyone in Georgia needs to know about HIV.” Then, as a large group, we’ll decide on the “Top 10” list for our HIV 101 presentations. Your list should include some basic info on:  How HIV is transmitted and prevented.  How HIV is treated  What HIV looks like in Georgia (how many people? Where? Who?)  HIV stigma

Top Ten Things--Examples from our Activities - Stigma has an impact on the HIV epidemic, and here’s what it looks like… - Know the facts, not the opinions. - 54,000 People Living with HIV, 2/3 in Metro Atlanta. - Not everyone has access to quality healthcare, with or without HIV. Not everyone knows about the resources available to them. - HIV does not discriminate. Anyone can get HIV. - Everyone has an immune system - Everyone should be tested for HIV. CDC, STIs, testing younger. - Sex is just one way to get HIV.

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- Transmission modes: these things transmit HIV, these things do not… - Difference between HIV/AIDS. - Condoms, PrEP, not having sex can prevent HIV - Sexually transmitted infections can increase your risk for contracting HIV. - There is no cure, but there is treatment - Treatment as prevention. - Adhering to medication is hard but important, just like adhering to any other kind of medication. - Viral load and viral suppression. - Manageable and not a death sentence. - 3 R’s: Right medication, right time, right way - You can live a full life. - You do not die from HIV, you die from neglecting it. - There are laws that criminalize HIV and perpetrate stigma

HIV 101 Presentation Design Exercise Approximately 1 hour Follow the prompts below to develop and present an HIV 101 training.

Background State Representative Park Cannon (House District 58) is concerned about what she’s learning from the Fulton County HIV Task Force and wants to do more to raise awareness about HIV in her district. She has asked the YHPAs to create a basic presentation about what District 58 needs to know about HIV for a community roundtable next Saturday 12-3pm at the Metropolitan Library.

Assignment Create a 15-minute presentation entitled “The Top 10 Things Everyone in District 58 needs to know about HIV.” And leave 5 minutes for Q & A. You have 20 minutes to inform a general audience about HIV basics: epidemiology (who it affects), how to prevent it, how care works and how HIV is related to other issues like homelessness, racism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.

Review the Top 10 List. Break into groups of 3 or 4 people. Each group takes 3 of the Top 10 list and makes “slides” out of them.

Consider:  What LANGUAGE AND IMAGES will you use?  We’re not using PPT right now (unless you want to).  Props are not required, but you think props contribute to the educational content of the presentation you may use them.  Choose a recorder and a speaker for each group.

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 36

Materials for HIV 101 Presentations The program facilitator might make a variety of materials available to the YHPAs for developing their HIV 101 presentations:

1. A PowerPoint slide deck of important HIV 101 information, such as:  Metro Atlanta & Georgia HIV epidemiology: How many people are living with HIV, how many become infected each year, hardest-hit areas and what are the highest risk populations?  HIV virology: What is HIV, what is a virus, how does it infect cells and cause breakdown of immunity? What is AIDS?  HIV risks and transmission: How is HIV commonly spread?  HIV prevention: How to prevent the most common ways of spreading HIV.  HIV testing and treatment: Where/How to get tested for HIV, window periods, different testing technologies, common HIV medical care and medication schedules.  HIV stigma: How does stigma discrimination against people with HIV affect HIV testing, HIV treatment and public health?  Caring for people with HIV: What do to and what not to do when supporting someone with an HIV diagnosis.  HIV social determinants: what social conditions are related to HIV risk and the health of people living with HIV?  Policies related to HIV: Ryan White funding, HIV criminalization, sex ed in schools, housing policies, routine HIV testing, testing in jails/prisons, access to healthcare/Medicaid expansion  Resources for people living with HIV: What are my options if I’m diagnosed with HIV?  Other STDs: List of common types of sexually transmitted infections, how they are spread, how they are treated, how common they are, and how they can be prevented.

2. Props, such as:  Condoms (male and female)  Penis and/or vagina models  Model HIV virus  Model T-cell with virus invasion  Handouts: AIDSVu HIV maps of Georgia or Metro Atlanta  Handouts: Fact sheets form the pre-reading list

3. Interactive activity modules, such as:  Values Vote  HIV Myths & Facts Quiz  Steps to put on a condom (line-up game)  Recognizing HIV stigma and discrimination

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 37

 Other activities to help audiences understand social determinants of health and power/privilege

Small Group Presentations & Critical Feedback Each small group will present their HIV 101 slides and share the interactive activities they chose. They will field 3 audience questions each to test their knowledge.

Anonymous Audience Critiques: 1. Each person will write one positive/strength and one “room for improvement”/weakness for each presentation. 2. Each person will write specific instructions on how the individuals involved could improve (for example: “presenter should rely less on the PowerPoint slides”).

Cultural Humility and Anti-Oppression Training Feedback from the YHPAs that there needed to be more teaching about diversity and acceptance prompted us to add Cultural Competency training in 2016. In the future, we hope to expand this portion of the training program to involve more in-depth Cultural Humility and Anti-Oppression Training facilitated by an outside presenter.

In Cultural Humility training, YHPAs learn why cultural competency/humility is important for HIV policy advisors. They collectively decide how they want to talk about HIV status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and other identities throughout the program. They gain tools to address and change oppressive dynamics in their HIV advocacy. They come to a greater understanding that everyone has skills and knowledge to contribute.

Learning Objectives  Describe how interconnected systems of oppression relate to HIV advocacy.  Define cultural competency and cultural humility.  Approach issues of HIV status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and age in a culturally competent and sensitive manner

“Cultural Competency” Self-Reflection Exercise Individually read this description of cultural competency complete the Cultural Competency Self-Reflection Exercise.

What is “cultural competency”? Cultural competency usually means having an understanding of diverse identities and how they affect our interactions with ourselves and other people. When people want a “cultural competency” training they are usually asking to be educated about a group of people or identity that they know little about. For example, straight and non-transgender people might want “cultural competency” training about LGBTQ identities and men might want “cultural competency” training about how to understand women’s needs in the workplace. Some “cultural competency” trainings are about race and ethnicity.

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Usually the goal is to create understanding and sensitivity in the majority for a specific minority or set of minority identities.

When we work with other people, it requires a combination of self-reflection and self-education, and a little bit of education along the way.

Cultural Competency Large Group Discussion As a large group, everyone list their identities (including the facilitator) popcorn style/round robin. Examples: Black Freak Westerner Masonic Writer Threat Gay Advocate HIV+ Spiritual Smoker Humanist Addict Right-handed Undetectable Wife Solidet Able-bodied Mother Feminist Fashionable Observer Anti-SJW Iconic NeoChristian Artist Revolutionary Family Man Creator Cisgender Counselor Socialist English speaker Educator Introvert Bisexual Valuable Dictator Trans woman Atheist Pragmatist Gender Queer Young professional Southerner HIV+

As a large group, discuss the following questions:  What evidence do we have that some identities are valued more by society than others? o Why is this the case?  What does this mean for how we interact inside this group?  How does this relate to HIV prevention, care and policymaking?  Fill in the blank: I hate when people say ______about me because of my age/race/sexual orientation/etc.  What language should we use and encourage other people to use? About: o HIV? o Race? o Stigma? o Sexual Orientation? o Gender Identity?  What language do we NOT want to use and discourage other people to use?

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 39

Cultural Competency Small Group Exercise In groups of 3 or 4, re-examine your HIV 101 “Top Ten” list through the lens of cultural sensitivity based on our previous discussion. Make changes accordingly, or even add/change slides to address cultural sensitivity in how you/we present HIV to our communities.

Share your thoughts with the large group.

HIV+ people in HIV Advocacy: The History you’re joining YHPAs learn how their work fits into a historical tradition of HIV+ people leading advocacy, and how HIV advocacy fits into other local Atlanta movements. This is usually paired with other topics, not as a standalone session. We provide an overview of history of HIV advocacy in the presentation on how to advocate effectively. We also suggest YHPAs view films on their own or with their peers to become more familiar with the history of PLWHA in advocacy. Suggestions include: How to Survive A Plague, We Were Here, Paris is Burning, Tongues Untied, and United in Anger.

Learning Objectives  Explain how HIV+ people created an environment for policy change.  Articulate the importance of centering HIV+ people in today’s advocacy environment.  Understand the importance of being status “out” in their advocacy.  Articulate why Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA) is important.

Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA) As a group, discuss meaningful involvement of people with HIV/AIDS (MIPA). Click here for more information about MIPA. We recommend using the PDF Fact Sheet on the AIDS United MIPA page to organize your discussion.

HIV Status Disclosure: Friends, Family, the World YHPAs discuss disclosure experiences and learn methods of disclosure that work for various relationships and scenarios, as well as where to find support while dealing with blowback. This is usually paired with other topics, such as root cause analysis, not as a standalone session.

Learning Objectives  Draw upon practice and strategies to disclose HIV status to friends and family.  Draw upon strategies to avoid problematic media experiences.  Find more resources to support healthy disclosure.

Stigma and HIV Disclosure Large Group Discussion Approximately 1 hour

As a large group, discuss the following questions and any other disclosure-related concerns:  How does stigma make life difficult for us?  How does stigma affect prevention?  What’s the point of public disclosure?

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 40

 What could go wrong?  How can you prepare yourself?  What advice do you have?  How can we connect with larger movements for social justice and speak about HIV at non-HIV specific venues?

Principles of Policy and Advocacy In this module YHPAs learn 1) the policy process from the ground up, 2) the role of citizens in advocacy, 3) basics of GA legislature, 4) Metro Atlanta jurisdictions, and 5) how to effectively communicate with elected officials. Training covers direct action, lobbying, public testimony, voting, and community mobilization. This module includes a tour of the state Capitol and Atlanta City Hall. There are many advocacy resources and tool kits online to help you develop this session (see Center for Health and Gender Equity, USAID’s PACE Project, The Connecticut Health Policy Project, and the Center for Community Health and Development Community Tool Box).

Learning Objectives  Explain how bills are introduced in and move through the GA legislature.  Discuss how city ordinances are passed.  Explain how federal laws and policies play out locally.  Explain how activists/advocates influence policy and law in GA, Atlanta or nationally.

Thinking “Upstream” About HIV: The River Metaphor Approximately 45 minutes

Staff facilitate the River Metaphor Discussion Activity.

HIV Intervention Definitions Partner Exercise YHPAs read through the different types of interventions on the HIV Interventions Definition Handout.

YHPAs take about 15 minutes to complete the Types of HIV Interventions Worksheet and discuss their ideas.

Government 101 Staff present the basics about how laws and policies are made in a Power Point presentation:  Federal Law & Policy Overview  Georgia State Law & Policy Overview  City of Atlanta Law & Policy Overview

Who Represents Us YHPAs complete the Who Represents Us? Worksheet using internet research. They document their representatives at each level of government.

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 41

How to Advocate Effectively A in-house facilitator presented to the groups about advocacy. Please contact [email protected] for more information about this presentation. Because Georgia Equality is an advocacy organization, we use our standard Advocacy Training manual for the YHPA program. There are many great resources online describing how to advocate for health policies. Our coalition partners like Georgians for a Healthy Future also have resources about advocacy in general.

This PowerPoint presentation covers the following topics:  The history of HIV advocacy  Why it is important for PLWHA to be advocates  Ways to get involved now o Sign up for action alerts (www.GeorgiaEquality.org) o Join the GA HIV Advocacy Network Facebook Page o Sign up for policy updates (www.AIDSUnited.org; www.CAEAR.org) o Be an informed voter o Talk about HIV to your friends  How to advocate o Lobbying o Providing Public Testimony o Community Mobilizing o Voting  How to effectively communicate with policy-makers  Writing a letter  Calling your elected officials  Meeting your elected officials and their staff

Five Key Elements of Effective Communication 1. Identify the issue 2. Cite a personal connection OR describe the local impact 3. Use key facts to support your case 4. Make a specific “ask” 5. Say “Thank you” and request an opportunity to follow-up Governments in Action Participants tour the capitol, attend a hearing, tour city hall, and attend a city council meeting, attend a school board meeting.

 Intensive Capitol Orientation o Sample HIV legislation- how does it move through the GA?  Intensive City Council Orientation o Sample HIV legislation- how does it move through the council?  Intensive Fulton County Commission Orientation o Sample HIV policy -How does it move through the Commission?

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 42

GOTV Orientation We suggested that YHPAs participate in Georgia Equality’s Get out the Vote volunteer training. If they choose, they are trained to be able to register others to vote.

“Root Cause” Analysis: Thinking Beyond Behavior YHPAs conduct “root cause” analyses of common behavioral risk behaviors for HIV. They review past year’s YHPA policy agendas. In the session we contextualize policy as a structural intervention for HIV.

Learning Objectives  Understand why and how to conduct a root cause analysis.  Understand how focusing on risk behavior may be detrimental to our fight against HIV.  Describe in layperson’s terms how social determinants of HIV affect HIV prevention and care.  Describe “root causes” of HIV in Metro Atlanta.  Understand and articulate how policy relates to HIV prevention and care.  Discuss why Georgia and the South are highly impacted by HIV.

Root Cause Analysis Breakout Discussions Approximately 1 hour Root Cause Analysis…Because policy change and the YHPA program is a structural intervention.

“But why?” Finding the root causes of common conversations about of HIV risk in young people.  Why are youth at risk for HIV? What root causes of HIV risk in Atlanta? o Race & HIV o Sex & HIV o Gender & HIV

Digging into the reasons:  “Young people don’t use condoms.”  “Young people don’t get tested for HIV.”  “Young people don’t care about HIV.”  “Atlanta’s LGBTQ community is all about parties and sex.”  “People living with HIV don’t disclose their status to partners.”  “Young people don’t use PrEP.”  “People living with HIV aren’t in care.” What big picture policy areas are related to our root causes?

HIV-specific Policy and Advocacy This session provides an overview of specific HIV-related policies that might arise in the legislative session, the history of HIV policy/advocacy in the US and GA, and policies/laws that affect social/structural determinants of health/HIV risk in Atlanta.

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Past topics have included:  HIV criminalization  Sex Education  LGBTQ discrimination and racial bias  Housing and homelessness  HIV prevention and care funding/resources

Learning Objectives  Identify avenues of federal, state and local funding related to HIV prevention, care and research.  Describe how policy is made around several special topics in HIV prevention and care.  Suggest policy or structural changes that would make an impact on HIV in Metro Atlanta.  Create a policy strategy framework for better HIV prevention/care in Metro Atlanta.

Root Causes & HIV Policy Discussion Approximately 1 hour

Large Group Discussion From our conversation with the elder HIV Advocates, and discussion of root causes, we identified some key areas where policy change is needed to change HIV prevention and care outcomes.

These areas are [adjust based on your own groups’ discussions]:  HIV prevention and care funding and resources  Housing  Sex Education  HIV Criminalization  Healthcare Access

Write on newsprint under each of these headings:  How do each of these relate to HIV?  What part of government is responsible for making policy in each area?

Additional Discussion Question  What is policy change?  How is policy change HIV prevention?  How does federal HIV $$$ get to people at risk for and living with HIV?  How do we decide locally on how to spend that money?  Small group discussion: If individuals use condoms and PrEP and abstinence to protect themselves against HIV, what do countries do to protect their people from HIV?

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Writing Problem Statements Approximately 1 hour

What is a problem statement? A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issue(s) that need(s) to be addressed. It is used to center and focus the team at the beginning, keep the team on track during the effort, and is used to validate that the effort delivered an outcome that solves the problem statement.8

Using the Writing Problem Statements Worksheet, YHPAs will each create three (3) problem statements for each area as it relates to HIV.

Policy Solutions Small Group Exercise Approximately 45 min

In small groups, YHPAs complete the Policy Solutions Brainstorm Worksheet. Using the problem statements they wrote in the previous activity, YHPAs brainstorm ways to address the problems using policy-level structural interventions.

Consider solutions at all levels:  Federal and State laws that affect HIV prevention and care  County and municipal policymaking processes  Institutional policy

Practicing Advocacy Small Group Exercise Approximately 1 hour

Using the Practice Advocacy Worksheet, YHPAs will apply what they have learned so far to different policy scenarios. Each group will address one of four scenarios: 1) Housing for LGBTQ youth, 2) sex education, 3) routine, opt-out HIV testing at a youth-serving emergency department, and 4) PrEP at the health department. After about 30 minutes the small groups will do a 5-minute report-back to the larger group.

HIV Policy Agenda Large Group Discussion Approximately 1 hour

 What 3 policy area priorities will we focus on during our time together?  What kind of engagement do we want around these issues?  What are existing advocacy efforts and how do you want to interface with them?  When and how will you connect?

8 Ceptara. (2009). Available online: http://www.ceptara.com/blog/how-to-write-problem-statement

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Community Organizing Workshop YHPAs learn how to organize their peers to engage in problem identification and strategic community organizing for reform. We had an outside speaker from The Counter Narrative Project join us to facilitate this workshop on community organizing.

Learning Objectives  Describe tactics for winning support for strategic initiatives.  Define community organizing.  Lead a group of peers through the process of resolving a social problem.

Elective Enrichment Workshop (3-5 hours) YHPAs choose an HIV, policy or social justice-oriented workshop to attend in Atlanta before WAD. They get paid for their time getting in-depth exposure to training or participating in activities hosted by other local advocacy groups. Some examples of the partner organizations they could choose to engage with include: SisterSong, Georgian’s for a Healthy Future’s Health Advocates Meetings, the Georgia HIV Justice Coalition, the Atlanta Coalition for LGBT Youth, and the Ryan White Planning Council, just to name a few. Participants are encouraged to seek out local activities and share them with the coordinator for approval in advance.

Learning Objectives  Demonstrate area expertise & experience.  Build connections to HIV, policy and/or social justice organizations in Atlanta. Professional Development In addition to training session content, YHPAs develop job skills and are provided with opportunities for professional development whenever possible. In our alumni survey, 59% reported that they got a job, school, or other opportunity directly because of their participation in the YHPA Program.

Professional Photos YHPAs get a professional photo taken that they can use for websites and other networking. We pay a photographer for the session.

Professional Bios YHPAs must write a professional biography paragraph for our website and to provide to their matched elected official. They gain practice in writing bios and can take it with them to use for events and trainings that they attend. We used a Bio Building Worksheet to help them get started.

Resumes At the end of the program, we offer help with creating a resume. We also email and Facebook message the alumni group when we hear about part-time and full-time employment opportunities. Of alumni surveyed, 79% listed the YHPA program on their resume, 76% used EFG staff as a professional reference, and 90% had discussed the program in a job or school interview.

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“Gave me a platform, and credibility in my work as an independent activist. I am now able to charge or demand pay for what I do.” –YHPA Participant Networking and Relationships We asked our alumni if there were other concrete benefits they experienced from participating in the YHPA program. Over half mentioned the networks and relationships they built—with other program participants, activists, organizations, and agencies. These networks resulted directly in employment in HIV services, policy, and advocacy for several alumni.

“Being a Youth HIV Policy Advisor provided me a social network that connected me with so many different organizations and professional networks that I wouldn't have been able to connect to otherwise. The program is a great talking point amongst organizations here in Atlanta, and has been the catalyst to being invited to participate in community organized events to build and further my effectiveness in doing this work.”–YHPA Participant

Other skills There are many job skills built in to the program. For example, creating the WAD presentation provides YHPAs with experience in project management. They are 100% responsible as a group to collaboratively decide what they want to cover, how they will do it, who will participate and how. They gain experience making commitments and being on time. We hope they will come away with leadership, reading, writing, and public speaking skills. Our alumni survey indicated that knowledge and confidence about their HIV status was a concrete benefit of being in the program.

The Policy Agenda The YHPA training curriculum culminates with the completion of a “Policy Agenda.” In this written document, the YHPAs communicate their HIV-related policy recommendations to their matched officials and to the general public. They present their recommendations at the WAD policy lunch. The objective of having a policy recommendations document at the end of the training program should be communicated early and often.

The role of the program coordinator is to assist the YHPAs in writing whatever kind of Policy Agenda that they see fit. Essentially, you should consider yourself to be a secretary, taking notes and writing in their words as much as possible. Depending on the skill-level of the current cohort, the program coordinator may do a lot of the writing itself. However, it is essential that the YHPAs’ voices are highlighted and that they all approve the final product. This is a good place in the program to assess the cohort’s strengths and draw on their various skills in internet research, writing, formatting, video scripting and production, PowerPoint, and oral communication so that everyone has an empowering role. We had our communications staff member review all presentations and documents before disseminations. His roles was to help marry the two aims of championing YHPA voices while ensuring the material reflects well on the broader organization.

The content of the Policy Agenda varies based on the interests of the current cohort. This is meant to be a list of policy “asks” for elected officials based on what youth LWHIV want, based

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Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 47 on their experience and training. The 2015 cohort had more time to create their 2015 Policy Agenda and it was quite comprehensive. In addition to sector-specific recommendations for schools, healthcare, housing, employment and education, the YHPAs included extensive recommendations for maximizing federal resources locally. In 2016, the YHPAs focused on three main policy areas at the suggestion of the program coordinator. They addressed schools, housing, and HIV decriminalization. In their agenda they repeated the 2015 cohort’s broad policy objectives for maximizing federal resources. The 2017 cohort did not want to create the same Policy Agenda because “these people haven’t done anything from past agendas.” They decided instead to focus on housing and homelessness and create a dossier on housing specifically. They also created a video to accompany their document.

Key Sections of a Policy Agenda 1. Title page with all co-author names included. 2. “HIV in Metro Atlanta: Impact”—a list of “simple facts about the epidemic in our city and how it affects young people.” 3. “WHO WE ARE: Youth Living with HIV in Metro Atlanta” –a one-paragraph manifesto describing the cohort and the role of young PLWHA. 4. “Rights and Expectations for Youth Living With HIV in Metro Atlanta”—a declaration of fundamental rights. 5. “Our Recommendations”—A list of policy recommendations they want their leaders to address in the next year. This list includes explanation and evidence. 6. Endnote References.

Importantly, the creation of the Policy Agenda occurs throughout the trainings, as the YHPAs gain knowledge and skills. Ideas and recommendations should be recorded as they arise. That way, when special time is allocated for writing the Policy Agendas the YHPAs have already thought about most of the content. The facilitator acts as a ghostwriter, documenting what is said throughout and putting it into a document for the YHPAs to review carefully. If YHPAs need more assistance thinking through their agenda, you could use the Policy Agenda Planning Questions and Outline. In 2017, the YHPAs wanted to delve into housing and HIV specifically so the facilitator developed structured questions to guide the discussion and development of a focused Policy Agenda and short video. Similar questions could be used to organize a discussion around other HIV-related policies.

Responsibility, Voice, and Delegation Our alumni survey revealed that we need to be more intentional about how duties and responsibilities are delegated among YHPAs and how we can ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Some felt that “responsibilities were dispersed among a select few . . . while less knowledgeable or popular members were simply told to ‘just show up’.” They noted that sometimes the group would move when the more experienced individuals understood the topic at hand.

It is essential to take time to reflect and be sure that YHPAs are engaged and involved across the wide spectrum of experience and knowledge. Some ideas:

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 Having one-on-one check-in meetings and post-session evaluations would help facilitators discover early if some YHPAs were feeling left behind.  Some alumni suggested breaking the group into teams or “departments” based on skills and strengths to be sure than everyone has the opportunity to shine.  Others suggested spending more time on team-building, relationship building, and fellowship.  Rotating meeting roles (agenda-setter, note-taker, time-keeper, etc.) could also keep folks engaged. YHPAs could know their role in advance to help everyone plan ahead and be prepared.  Have YHPAs show off a skill/expertise in a short presentation of a strength/skill. Essentially they would teach about anything on which they are an expert, it doesn’t have to be policy or HIV related.

Attending to group dynamics could improve engagement and accountability. Equal voice and comparable commitment from participants is a worthy goal.

The YHPA Policy Agendas can have a real impact. The 2015 YHPA policy recommendations and presentation at WAD were a major contributor to the development of the Fulton County Task Force on HIV/AIDS. Two YHPA alumni (Daniel Driffin and Nina Martinez) were advisers to the Task Force during the creation of their Strategy to End AIDS. This strategy is a concrete tool that can be used to engage and educate organizations and advocates on a broad docket of HIV policy issues.

Events Intergenerational Orientation Event We have a special YHPA orientation event each year. We invite experienced HIV+ advocates and activists with the aim of creating an intergenerational group of attendees. In a casual, fun, and inspiring HIV+ centered event the YHPA cohort is introduced to the community. They are reminded that although they may be some of the youngest HIV+ advocates, they are not the only ones. The format of the free, 2- to 3-hour event varies, but always involves 1) introducing the advisors for the year, 2) a facilitated opportunity for youth and elders to share their experiences, 3) a discussion and brainstorm of HIV-related policy recommendations.

In 2015 the “Intergenerational HIV Advocacy Dinner” was hosted at Positive Impact. In 2016, the event was held at Studio No. 7 and involved a “Letters to My Newly Diagnosed Self” story- telling session inspired by The Moth. Attendees could submit their story in advance through the online RSVP system, or do it on the spot. In 2017 we cohosted an HIV is Not a Crime artist event with the Georgia HIV Justice Coalition.

Goals  To introduce the YHPA Program  To introduce YHPAs to Metro Atlanta’s veteran HIV advocates for inspiration, advice and mentorship

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o Elders share advocacy history with young advocates o Youth share their stories and interests with elders  To discuss and record a draft policy agenda for PLWHA in Metro Atlanta

“The older community praises us and have respect for us in what we are doing.” –YHPA Participant

TIPS from YHPA Orientation Events  Send an invitation to HIV+ elders through advocacy organizations and listservs.  Have attendees RSVP through an online Google form.  In the RSVP, ask attendees to share wisdom: “From your perspective as a person living with HIV, what is one thing you would like young HIV positive activists to know about their role in HIV advocacy?”  Document attendance for funders and future planning using a sign-in sheet.  Include a facilitated and organized group discussion for elders and youth to share their experiences (see below for discussion questions).  Include a presentation or workshop about HIV policy. In 2015 the YHPA leader facilitated a discussion around the River Metaphor.9 In 2017 the Georgia HIV Justice Coalition presented on HIV criminalization.

Intergenerational Discussion  Each group should have at least one Youth HIV Policy Advisor, preferably two+.  Each small group should plan to share their responses with the larger group in no more than 3-5 minutes.  At least one YHPA member from the group must add a question of their own for the elders in the group.

1. What does Atlanta’s HIV advocacy history look like?  Who were major players?  What were gathering spaces?  What were some dark moments in this history?  What were the forces working against us?

Examples: Who/Where?  AIDS Service Organizations: Someone Cares, SisterLove, AID Atlanta, Positive Impact  SisterSong  Parties at Piedmont Park  Bars, clubs, gay bars (Marquette)  Support groups centered a lot of advocacy  2Gether4Life

9 Center for Strengthening Youth Prevention Paradigms at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

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 Men of Color in Motion  Second Sunday  Black Gay Men saving our own lives  TAG and ACT-UP  Club promoters  Elton John  Magic Johnson  Ryan White  Arthur Ashe  HIV used to be a disability

Examples: “Dark Moments” in HIV Advocacy History  At some point, HIV negative people took over speaking for PLWHA. PLWHA used to be the focal point of advocacy.  Silence, shame and fear  Gentrification and re-districting, housing issues  Increasing racial disparities  Deaths of our loved ones in large numbers  Bible Belt battles for racial justice and LGBTQ justice  Invisibility of minorities: women, youth, heterosexual people living with HIV  Egos of service provider leadership

2. What are things that only people living with HIV (HIV+ people) can add to HIV advocacy work in Metro Atlanta (or anywhere)? Examples:  Personal stories  Bringing information to the people around us (neighbors and neighborhoods in need)  Inspiration  The knowledge that HIV is not all of you, it’s a piece of you  HIV positive identity as opposed to splintered groups based on risk, population, etc.  You own your story and can share it  Not depending on the system for change  Positive role models that are HIV+

3. What advice and/or constructive criticism to you have for clinics, AIDS Service Organizations or HIV prevention/testing agencies in operation today? Examples:  Services are highly fragmented between community providers  It can be an “oppressive” experience  The “system” doesn’t bring people living with HIV to the table  There has been a shift away from HIV in the gay community toward marriage; HIV gets left behind.

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 We need more housing  Difficult to re-enter or even begin care  Health literacy is low in the community  Knowledge and compassionate care are needed  Lived experience should be highlighted in employment, not just degree, employment history, etc.  More routine HIV testing (regardless of risk) to ensure more people are tested who wouldn’t ordinarily seek out testing  There is “heart” missing in the work nowadays  Better HIV clinical education for general practitioners  Better marketing and social media to reach beyond typical audiences  Why do the leaders of these organizations have the power that they do? We need clear guidelines for what makes a leader in these organizations.  Agencies add more barriers than those that are naturally there to begin with.

4. “Wild Card” questions from youth to elders Examples:  How do you balance HIV and the rest of life?  How do you cope with triggers like seeing your pill bottle every day reminding you that you have HIV?  What are some positive changes that you have seen? Answers: PrEP, medication advancements, medical advancements.  General discussion about the importance and great need of unifying HIV+ people across all other lines of distinction to re-create advocacy network in Atlanta

If the River Metaphor presentation is used, a discussion can center around the question: “What Bridges Are we Building?” Policies are bridge-building interventions.

What policy issues are important to people living with HIV in Metro Atlanta? How do we build bridges in these areas?  Homelessness  Sex Education  HIV Criminalization  Access to healthcare/Medicaid Expansion  Funding for HIV care programs  Mass incarceration  LGBTQ discrimination  Mental health resources  Routine HIV testing practices  What else?

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Bridge-building discussions by sector: Education:  Age-appropriate sex education that starts early (before sexual behavior)  HIV education routinized  Abstinence-only or abstinence-based sex education should be replaced with comprehensive sexuality education  Teachers and staff need to be trained in LGBTQ cultural competency  LGBTQ-inclusive sex education Healthcare  Expand Medicaid  Improve and increase services at privately funded clinics Housing  Fewer barriers to housing for PLWHA  Fair housing  Decent affordable housing for people at risk for and living with HIV  Youth housing  Elder housing  Action item: examine Atlanta Housing Authority’s policies around HIV-related housing PLWHA  Decriminalize HIV  Hold those who control funding and the use of funding for HIV accountable  ADAP speed, loosening of restrictions need to be addressed  More medicine choices in insurance plans. The Programming Landscape  Funding for aging population services (ageing with HIV)  Programming for parents living with HIV and children, how to disclose to children  We need a thorough evaluation of ASO policies  Youth inclusion on HIV planning councils  More faith-based programming  Employment services for PLWHA  Serodiscordant couples’ services  Get out the Vote (GOTV) and voter education!  Coordination across ASOs to improve services for PLWHA  Meaningful inclusion of PLWHA as volunteers and partners  Streamlined, expedited care for all

World AIDS Day (WAD) Policy & Action Lunch Each year, the culminating event for the YHPA Program is the “World AIDS Day Policy and Action Lunch.” At the lunch the YHPAs present their policy agenda to the public, calling the entire Metro Atlanta region to action. This presentation centers on their “asks” and recommendations for the structural, policy-level changes they want to see related to youth living with HIV in Metro Atlanta. Matched elected officials, other Metro Atlanta elected officials (i.e.,

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GA legislators, City Council, County Commissions, School Boards, etc.), local HIV experts, PLWHA, other community leaders and the media are formally invited.

As the name implies, the lunch is held on World AIDS Day (December 1st). The lunch has been hosted at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, with about 75 attendees annually. The YHPAs organize and run the 2-hour event (11:30am-1:30pm). The WAD event is mandatory for the YHPAs and they agree to attend before they start the program.

Goals  Provide matched officials and other policy-makers with a clear policy roadmap for ending youth HIV.  Inspire, uplift and rejuvenate our HIV advocates and champions to renew their fight against the inequalities that HIV thrives on.

To learn more about World AIDS Day: https://www.worldaidsday.org/

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List of Decision-Makers in Attendance by Year  Atlanta Board of Ed. Member Leslie Grant 2015  Atlanta Board of Ed. Member Steven Lee  Atlanta City Council President Ceasar  Atlanta Board of Ed. Member Jason Esteves Mitchell  State Rep. Elect William K Boddie, Jr.  State Senator Nan Orrock  State Rep. Elect David Dreyer  State Rep. Karla Drenner  Smyrna City Council Member Teri Anulewicz  State Rep. Keisha Waites  Dunwoody City Council Member Lynn  State Rep. Pat Gardner Deutsch  State Rep. Simone Bell 2017  Fulton County Chairman John Eaves  State Senator Nan Orrock  Atlanta City Council Member Alex Wan  State Rep. Karen Bennett  State Senator Vincent Fort  State Rep. Park Cannon  Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner  State Rep. Michele Henson  State Rep. Sheila Jones 2016  State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver  State Senator Vincent Fort  State Senate Candidate Nikema Williams  State Senator Nan Orrock  City Council President Candidate Alex Wan  State Rep. Marie Robinson-Metze  City Council President Candidate Felicia  State Rep. Dewey McClain Moore  State Rep. Roger Bruce  Atlanta Board of Ed. Member Leslie Grant  State Rep. Pedro Marin  Atlanta Board of Ed. Member Matt  State Rep. Doreen Carter Westmoreland  Atlanta City Council President Ceasar  East Point City Councilmember Thomas Mitchell Calloway  Atlanta City Council Member Michael Julian  East Point City Councilmember Karen Rene Bond  Dekalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson  Fulton County Chairman John Eaves  Dekalb County Commissioner Jeff Rader  Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner  Johns Creek City Councilman Chris Coughlin  DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson  Fulton County Chair candidate Robb Pitts  Atlanta Board of Ed. Member Matt  Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi Westmoreland

TIPS from YHPA WAD Events

Before the Event  Begin planning the event during the paid summer/fall sessions.  Have a YHPA be Event Chair and take a leadership role.  Delegate responsibilities and create a Planning Roles & Logistics document detailing everyone’s roles.  Have one Master of Ceremonies (MC) to keep the event flowing. Select an alternate in case of any problems.  Create a script and/or “Run of Show” for the day of for the team to follow.  Have a run-through in advance.  YHPAs invite guests early.

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 Invite press from local newspapers to attend.  Cast a wide net when sending invitations to capture people who might not have had the capacity to be a matched officials.  If there is new data or information specific to policy or HIV in the state, advertise the event as a special press conference/release to motivate officials to come.

At the Event  Introduce the event and the annual theme for WAD.  Encourage the audience to use a hashtag (ours was #HaveOurBacksATL) and to post to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Calling the matched officials and other important attendees by name to stand up and be recognized  Invocation/African Libation Ceremony or other dedication. In 2015 we had Khafre Kujichagulia Abif, AIDS activist, blogger, and editor.  Have the Executive Director of your organization welcome the guests too.  Invite an HIV policy champion to speak or contribute a video. In 2015 we showed a video message from Congressman John Lewis.  Introduce the Policy Advisors program in general before getting into the policy recommendations.  The 2015 YHPAs released their video Here Are the Facts, Have Our Backs at the event.  The 2017 YHPAs unveiled their video HIV & Youth Homelessness in Atlanta at the event.  Have each YHPA contribute to the presentation of the policy agenda. This can involve a PowerPoint presentation but doesn’t have to.  Invite one of the matched officials to speak. In 2015 we had Chairman John Eaves speak about the Fulton County Task Force Plan to End HIV.  Have audience members write questions on note cards during the event to facilitate Q/A discussion.  Include music, poetry, dedication to friends and family lost to HIV/AIDS, and other creative expressions. This is a great approach to play off everyone’s strengths if some YHPAs are less inclined to present on the policy agenda.  Collaborate with other organizations on WAD events. In 2017 Georgia Equality and several YHPAs collaborated with the Counter Narrative Project to put on the Living With art exhibit and a Lunch n Learn series at the Auburn Avenue Research Library.

After the Event  Send Thank You emails to elected officials and speakers.  Pat yourselves on the back! Evaluation As you plan your YHPA Program it is important to consider how you will evaluate program success. What is success? How do we know this isn’t doing harm instead of good? Many funding sources require a pre-planned evaluation as part of their grant requirements.

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YHPA Evaluation Examples  We use the HIV Knowledge Pre-Test to assess HIV and Policy Knowledge. Pre and post surveys showed YHPAs had improved HIV and Policy knowledge survey scores following participation in the program.  We take note qualitatively when YHPA alumni reflect on the program. Many of the participants have noted that after they “went public” in their communities about living with HIV, people that they had known for years revealed that they were also living with HIV and out of care. Because of their outness, their experiences with engaging in care and the connections they gained in the program, many of the youth reported that they felt able to assist their friends and family in getting HIV care and support services in new ways. This lends support to the idea that PLWHA should be serving in linkage roles and that they are uniquely qualified to do this important work in our community.  We record instances of continued involvement by matched officials, although we have not conducted formal surveys. Several have requested information to host community town halls, and some have requested one-on-one briefings. John Eaves’ top priorities were transportation, jobs, and HIV. Senator Fort introduced a 10-point plan to the GA Legislative Black Caucus, which was revised after learning about PrEP/criminalization.  We record YHPA employment and volunteering when possible. Several of the YHPAs are now employed part or full time in the field of HIV prevention, care and advocacy or LGBTQ advocacy. See section below on Alumni Engagement.  We monitor legislative sessions after each YHPA cohort. Following the 2015 YHPA cohort, House Bill 1058 made a previously ambiguous Georgia’s law clear: Youth can be tested and treated for HIV without parents consent. Of course, we cannot tie this legislative change back to YHPA directly.  We monitor statewide and citywide policy changes and evidence of increased MIPA. Following technical assistance from AIDS United, YHPA Daniel Driffin (who also became the co-chair of the Fulton County Task Force on HIV/AIDS) presented to the taskforce about the importance of MIPA in the creation and maintenance of HIV prevention and care policy. The taskforce integrated concepts directly from Daniel’s presentation into the Strategy to End AIDS in Fulton County, released on June 26, 2016. This is a critical piece of community accountability for PLWHA that might have been left out had Daniel not intentionally spelled it out in his presentation.  We developed a post-hoc evaluation survey of the first three YHPA cohorts. Contact [email protected] for more a copy of the survey. We included questions on: o Age, race/ethnicity, highest education level, gender identity, sexual orientation, and age at HIV diagnosis. o Cohort year and how they had learned about the YHPA program. o Current employment status and job title. o Participation in professional development activities since the program. o Program engagement and barriers to participation. o Ratings of the importance of program elements and interest in HIV-related policy areas. o Strengths of the program and what they would change. o HIV-related knowledge and skills before they started the program and currently. Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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o Policy-related knowledge and skills before they started the program and currently. o Involvement in advocacy activities since their participation in the program.

Other measures of success could include:  A count of the number of officials receiving information from the YHPAs,  A pre-post HIV knowledge test of matched elected officials,  The number of job recommendations and letters of reference written for YHPAs,  The number of trainings and presentations executed by YHPAs (and number of people trained),  Interviews with matched elected officials to assess if their opinion about why HIV affects Georgia and Atlanta more than other states and cities has changed,  Exit interviews with YHPAs to reflect on their experience and solicit feedback on program strengths and needed improvements,

Although these may seem like non-traditional assessment measures, we have generally had good luck using these concrete deliverables to acquire funding.

Best Practices for Evaluation  Each individual training session would be evaluated to facilitate program improvement. A short survey soliciting feedback from the YHPAs could easily be incorporated for each module.  Linking the HIV Knowledge pre-test and post-test by name or identifying information would allow more nuanced analysis of YHPAs improvements by individual rather than for the whole group at once.  Post-event evaluations for all attendees at the Intergenerational Orientation Event and World AIDS Day are crucial to better understanding the impact of the program on PLWHA and elected officials.  A survey of match elected officials would help the organization understand barriers to involvement and gain insight into the needs to decision-makers.  An evaluation of the entire program should occur each year, rather than ever three years. Alumni Engagement YHPA alumni are engaged in HIV advocacy and service provision in a variety of ways. Some have volunteered or have done short-term contract work at Georgia Equality/Equality Foundation of Georgia as part-time field staff for our voter registration and Get out the Vote initiatives. We have also been able to secure other paid employment opportunities for graduates with our coalition partners. These positions have included providing data entry, assisting with health insurance enrollment, and facilitating focus groups. Not only do these opportunities provide a modest income to these young people, they also provide on-the-job experience that can help YHPAs secure full-time employment in the future. YHPA alumni are a pool of educated advocates that our organization can draw on for phone banking, presentations, LGBTQ advocacy events, sex education training speaker panels, Pride festivals and other community outreach events. Our organization will benefit from the existence of a growing group of prepared, trained youth advocates who can speak to the multiple inequalities and injustices experienced by LGBTQ youth of color in Georgia. Our community will benefit from the presence of a growing Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 58 group of empowered young people living with HIV in a number of ways, including their ability to break down the stigma of living openly with HIV. Throughout the US, youth are less likely to get tested for HIV and more likely to be out of care, and this program provides important educational opportunities for youth to speak directly to other youth about the importance of HIV prevention and care. This is unprecedented in Metro Atlanta, as far as we are aware.

A central component of alumni engagement has been the private Facebook group that provides a forum to disseminate information about opportunities and connections. We let alumni know about the current cohort’s activities and training sessions. All sessions were open to YHPA alumni and it was common for alumni to visit informally. It was particularly helpful to have alumni support during the WAD event planning and preparation. They provided emotional support and positive feedback.

Through additional support from AIDS United’s Positive Organizing Project, we are to create a policy fellowship in collaboration with the THRIVE SS network. We hired YHPA Mahlon Randolph as the 2017-2018 policy fellow for the legislative session after his YHPA cohort.

We are holding a benefit concert to raise money for the Joan P. Garner Scholarship Fund. The Joan P. Garner Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life and legacy of the late Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, who spent her career fighting for the voices of marginalized communities with a great emphasis on young people and those living with HIV. In tribute to her memory, and in an effort to carry on her work, the fund will be used to send one or more YHPAs Washington, DC to participate in the annual AIDSWatch 2018 lobby day. This experience will provide a new opportunity for our YHPAs to continue to develop their skills and flex their advocacy muscles to influence policy.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Alumni Engagement Hall of Fame  YHPA policy recommendations were included in the Fulton County Strategy to End HIV/AIDS.  Nina Martinez wrote the city resolution to create National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Atlanta that Councilmembers Alex Wan and Kwanza Hall proposed.  Alumni are active in the Georgia HIV Justice Coalition –a working group to end HIV criminalization.  Alumni regular attend annual Georgia AIDSWatch HIV Advocacy days at the GA Capitol.  Christian Dacus, Daniel Driffin, Brendan Allison, and Mahlon Randolph have (or will) attend the AIDSWatch Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.  Daniel Driffin spoke at the Democratic National Convention.  Daniel Driffin was co-chair of the Fulton County HIV/AIDS Taskforce and Nina Martinez was an adviser to the Task force.  Lamar Yarborough and Nina Martinez are on the advocacy committee of the Living Room (the centralized access point for HIV housing in Atlanta).  YHPAs presented at the Atlanta Counter Conference at the National HIV Prevention Conference (December 7-8, 2015). • Daniel Driffin and Nina Martinez spoke at the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus public hearing on HIV. • Nina Martinez presented about the YHPA Program at HIV is Not a Crime conference in Huntsville, Alabama. • LadyFest, a local feminist arts festival, featured HIV criminalization reform as a discussion topic on their opening night and invited Nina Martinez and Masonia Traylor to participate on the panel. They also donated all of their proceeds to the YHPA program. • Lamar Yarborough, Nina Martinez, and Masonia Traylor conducted the training for the 2016 Georgia AIDSWatch Advocacy Day at the Georgia state capitol. • Daniel Driffin presented at The People’s Mobilization on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Atlanta Counter Conference, 2015. • Nina Martinez presented at National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. • Masonia Traylor is featured in the My HIV Treatment Hang-Up series. • Daniel Driffin and coordinator Emily Brown participated in a panel at the Race, Stigma, HIV event at Kennesaw State University, April 19, 2016. • D’Jona King was interviewed for a feature on Vox. • Nina Martinez was the winner of the 2017 Founders Award from the CFAR Community Liaison Council. • Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga was the Winner of the 2017 Barbara Vick Impact Award. • Masonia Traylor and Christian Emile Dacus (and coordinator Emily Halden Brown) were Nominees for the 2017 Barbara Vick Impact Award. • Nina Martinez and Lamar Yarborough are on the CFAR Community Liaison Council. • Deontez Williams presented on the panel Voice of Youth: Teen Engagement in Reproductive Health at the American Public Health Association conference in Atlanta, November 2017.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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• Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga was a featured panelist at “A Community Discussion: HIV in Black Atlanta, with State Representative Park Cannon,” and event for National Black HIV Awareness Day 2018. The 2017 YHPA HIV & Homelessness video was also featured.

“I hope they all run for office one day!” –Georgia Equality Staff Member

Future Plans for Continued Engagement

Youth HIV Policy Leadership Pipeline In the future we would like to create a more structured leadership pipeline for YHPA alumni. Each cohort of YHPAs would be comprised of 2 to 4 Youth HIV Policy Leaders from the previous year’s cohort and 8 to 10 new YHPAs. This would provide an opportunity for leaders to rise to the top of their cohort and use their learned skills and experience to recalibrate the program based on the needs of its participants. Youth HIV Policy Leaders would receive extra stipends and time to adapt training modules based on their experience in the previous cohort. Ideally, this would create an emerging group of HIV+ youth with leadership experience, helping them build their resumes even more. Right now alumni are invited to all sessions, and attend on an informal basis.

Legislative Session Extensions Currently some YHPA alumni do remain engaged and go to committee hearings at the Capitol or are otherwise involved in the legislative session. We would formalize this involvement into a paid legislative extension. There would be a competitive process for selecting 2 to 3 YHPA alumni to continue through the legislative session (January-March). They would be involved in tracking legislation, attending meetings at the Capitol and City Hall, attending hearings and being a presence at important events.

Media Mentions The YHPA Program has had substantial impact in our community and has been widely covered in the media and referenced in a broad cross section of forums. To increase media attention, organizations should consider using press releases, inviting media to all events, and encouraging YHPAs/YHPA alumni to contribute to media stories about their advocacy activities.

The following links lead to a sampling of articles centered on or mentioning the YHPA Program, YHPA alumni, and the WAD Policy and Action lunch:  https://thegavoice.com/atlanta-hiv-positive-youth-pair-up-with-elected-officials-to-face- down-a-crisis/  http://georgiaequality.org/2016/12/youth-hiv-policy-advisors-host-annual-hiv-policy- action-lunch/#more-1265  https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/world-aids-day-exhibit-celebrates-youth- living-hiv-n690286  http://www.aumag.org/2016/04/22/youth-hiv-policy-advisors-in-atlanta/  http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/12/30/Atlanta-alarming-rates-HIV-AIDS.html  http://voxatl.com/hiv-positive-youth-work-to-make-change/

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 http://voxatl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/VOXInvestigatesShakeTheStigma.pdf  http://thegavoice.com/atlanta-hiv-poy-presentation/  https://atlantadailyworld.com/2016/11/26/hiv-positive-youth-share-policy- recommendations-with-lawmakers-on-world-aids-day/  https://www.pwn-usa.org/pwnspeaks-blog/world-aids-day-in-atlanta/  https://thegavoice.com/hiv-positive-youth-lobby-lawmakers-tackling-hiv-homelessness- world-aids-day-event/  https://www.ajc.com/news/local/atlanta-third-world-hiv-epidemic-isn-getting-any-better- cdc-says/a0FncuxEGd6Y5gwI4CStuL/  http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2015/06/metro-atlanta-center-burgeoning-hiv-crisis/  http://politics.myajc.com/blog/politics/daniel-driffin-hiv-aids-activist-from-georgia- speaks-tonight-the-dnc/kERy8ulUTDnYYT77l4EXcN/  http://www.projectq.us/atlanta/activists_push_to_change_hiv_criminalization_law_in_ge orgia?gid=18141  https://thegavoice.com/37451-2/  http://cfar.emory.edu/news/archives/2017/06-08-SE.php  http://www.projectq.us/atlanta/lawmakers_explore_hiv_impact_on_black_georgians?gid =18225  https://www.hivplusmag.com/people/2018/1/10/daniel-driffin-11-our-most-amazing-hiv- people-2018  http://gawker.com/a-black-gay-hiv-positive-man-addresses-the-dnc-but-i-1784413048  http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/07/27/daniel-driffin-hivaids-activist-from-georgia- speaks-tonight-at-the-dnc/  http://www.hivplusmag.com/stigma/2016/7/27/prominent-hiv-activist-address- democratic-convention-tonight  http://thegavoice.com/watch-gay-atlanta-hiv-activist-daniel-driffins-dnc-address/

Infrastructure & Sustainability

Funding/Budget Our YHPA program was funded through several different mechanisms over the years. Our pilot year we incorporated the YHPA Program into a funding proposal for the Atlanta Coalition for LGBTQ Youth (ACFLY) through AIDS United and Gilead Sciences, Inc./Gilead Foundation’s Positive Organizing Projects. Our program is currently funded by The Elton John AIDS Foundation.

We always solicit in-kind donations and ask for discounts for big events.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Example Program Budget ITEM DESCRIPTION TOTAL Intergenerational Dinner June Catering Food 400.00 YHPA Stipend 15 participants, $15/hr, 2.5 hrs 562.50 MARTA 50.00 Subtotal Dinner $1,012.50 Youth Trainings July, August, September 15 participants, $15/hr, 7 sessions, YHPA Stipend 3.5 hrs each 5,512.50 Facilitator Stipend $25/hour, 7 sessions, 3.5 + 2 prep hrs 962.50 Food $150 per session, 7 sessions 1,050 Space Rush Center $25/hr 612.50 Subtotal, July-Sept $8,137.50

World AIDS Day Lunch 150 guests Food $45/person and service charges 6,750 A/V Projector, Tech Support, etc. 500 Décor & Art project supplies Youth will prepare in advance 1,000 Printing Informational packets 1,000 Youth Stipends (4 hours) 15 participants: $15/hr 900 Graphic Design Work For policy packets 1000 Videography 4000 Subtotal, World AIDS Day $15,150 Project Total $24,300

Need guidance writing a grant application? Check out The Community Tool Box!

Leadership & Staff Our program facilitator had training in HIV research, HIV prevention with young people, project management, and prior experience working with LGBTQ youth and PLWHA. She also has a Master’s in Public Policy. At a minimum, we think the program facilitator for any YHPA program would need to have considerable experience working with PLWHA and LGBTQ youth. We encourage collaboration with other community organizations and other staff members to fill in knowledge about policy and advocacy, if the core staff do not have that background.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Ideally, a YHPA program would be led by a full time, year-round staff member, or by more than one program facilitator. At a bare minimum this needs to be a half-time year-round paid position (.5 FTE in grant-writing terms). The workload is more intense at certain times of year. It would not be possible for an existing full-time staff member simply to pick this program up on the side of their other work.

We have found that our facilitator could have used assistance with social work-related issues in particular. Having an MSW on contract to meet with YHPAs to help with housing or to get folks back into care would be invaluable. Another place our facilitator could have used extra help is with coordinating the relationships with match officials. YHPAs can use as much help and guidance as possible in connecting with officials, so another staff person who could open doors and provide opportunities would make a big difference. Having a paraprofessional, teaching assistant, or highly-qualified intern to assist with trainings and evaluation would also be an asset. The YHPA Program has the potential to make a big impact on PLWHA and the policy landscape, so be sure to support your program facilitator.

Youth Retention & Resilience We expected attrition when we began the YHPA program, due to prior knowledge of the live realities of PLWHA and LGBTQ youth of color in Metro Atlanta. Many of the young people in this group are in very high-needs situations. YHPAs are dealing with homelessness, food insecurity, civil rights violations, the criminal justice system, and many other horrible circumstances. We are not a service organization and a big part of the program facilitator’s job has been connecting youth with social services and care. Despite hiring around 20 individuals, the final cohorts each year are closer to 10-12.

Any YHPA program will need to seriously consider how to build in support and resilience for youth around mental health, stigma, access to care, and, sometimes, basic survival. We are currently grappling with how to do this in our own program. We are considering adding more:  Better assessment at hiring of mental health needs and access to resources. Asking intentionally—we have a lot of connections with social services organizations, you don’t have to tell me, but are any of these things concerns (housing, food, etc.)?  Regular one-on-one check-in meetings with the program facilitator to talk outside of the group about what was going on, project updates, and any grievances that YHPAs may have had throughout the process.  Mental health support: meditation, stress reduction, self-love, self-esteem, grief counseling.  Debriefing and collective problem solving: what is one thing that you need from the group and one thing you can give to the group?  Time for connection, socializing, peer support, camaraderie, and community.  Discussion of professional goals and dreams, connecting YHPA responsibilities to their skills and strengths.  Conflict resolution training.  Team-building activities.  Anti-oppression training and discussion of structural violence.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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 Attention to individual skills, expertise, and strengths so that everyone feels like they are contributing, without being intimidated by superstars.  Art and storytelling.  Practical skills for how to show up and be on time even when everything is a mess.  Discussion about how to create a safe space.  Interaction with the broader community to have more exposure to empowering examples of black gay men, PLWHA, transgender folks, etc.  Radical self-love and belief in ones right to exist as you are.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Resource Appendix

Email Blast

Dear Metro Atlanta HIV & Youth Advocates-

Over the past 5 years, almost 3,000 youth ages 13-24 have been diagnosed with HIV in Metro Atlanta, and less than 1/3 are receiving the care needed to stay healthy and prevent transmission. Given these numbers, I am thrilled to announce the kickoff of the 2015 Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program. This program will match selected elected officials with young people living with HIV who will serve as their 2015 Special Advisors on Youth HIV.

Below, please find a detailed overview of the program, including events and trainings, a list of the elected officials who have confirmed participation, youth advisor eligibility requirements and directions on how to apply. Please share this information with all of your HIV advocacy and youth networks.

[attached information from the participant packet]

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Recruitment Flyer

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 67

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Name, Email, Phone]

New program pairs HIV+ youth advocates with Atlanta policymakers

April 23, 2015 - Atlanta, GA, - In response to high and increasing HIV rates among youth in Atlanta, Equality Foundation of Georgia announces the launch of the Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program. This program will match selected elected officials with youth advocates who will serve as their Special Advisors on Youth HIV. Youth will work one-on-one with policymakers to address policy barriers to HIV prevention. Equality Foundation of Georgia Executive Director Jeff Graham says of the program, “Empowering youth living with HIV to talk openly with policymakers about their experiences and needs will help fill a major gap in Atlanta’s HIV prevention landscape.” The application-only program offers training to advocates throughout the summer and involves three educational sessions October-December. It concludes on World AIDS Day- December 1st- with the second annual World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action Luncheon.

Participating Elected Officials We have invited a diverse and committed group of Metro Atlanta elected officials to participate in this program, and the following have confirmed their desire to be matched with Special Advisors on Youth HIV this year:

Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell Chairman John Eaves of the Fulton County Commission Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort Georgia State Representative Pat Gardner Georgia State Representative Simone Bell Georgia State Representative Keisha Waites Georgia State Representative Karla Drenner Georgia State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan Georgia State Senator Nan Orrock

Apply to become a youth advisor Over the past 5 years, almost 3,000 youth ages 13-24 have been diagnosed with HIV in Metro Atlanta, and less than 1/3 are receiving the care needed to stay healthy and prevent transmission. If you are 30 years of age or younger, living with HIV, and you would like to serve as a Special Advisor on Youth HIV, please call or email Coordinator [Name] at [Email] or [Phone] to request online application instructions.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Participant Information Packet

Participant Packet: 2017 Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program

Dear Applicant-

Thank you for your interest in becoming a 2017 Youth HIV Policy Advisor! As a young person living with HIV, we believe you are an expert on how HIV policy and programs work best. If you are selected for this program, your expertise will be enhanced with paid training and you will be paired with a Metro Atlanta elected official to serve as their 2017 Special Advisor on Youth HIV. During your time together, you will educate your designated elected official on policies that will help end Atlanta’s HIV epidemic and care for those living with the virus. Don’t wait to apply. The deadline is Friday, August 4th!

Please take a few moments to read through this packet. In it, you will find the following:

- Eligibility information and application requirements - A timeline and description of required trainings and events - Participant confidentiality information

If you have questions after reading through this packet, please contact me any time.

Emily Halden Brown Office Phone: Cell Phone (Call or Text): Email:

Thank you again for your interest! We sincerely hope you choose to apply and share your experiences and expertise with Atlanta’s policymakers!

Sincerely,

[signature]

[Name] Georgia Equality

Overview: Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program

This initiative will pair elected officials one-on-one with youth living with HIV who will serve as their 2017 Special Advisors on Youth HIV. Youth living with HIV will apply to the program and those selected will receive a series of training modules to prepare them for the job. They will work with their designated elected official’s staff to select a project to work on in the elected official’s district that will raise community

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 69 awareness about HIV. Youth will use their personal experience and the training they receive to, provide HIV education and make policy suggestions on behalf of youth living with HIV in Metro Atlanta. The program will culminate on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2017 at the 3rd annual World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action Luncheon

HIV in Metro Atlanta- The Basics

Georgia remains one of the states most heavily impacted by HIV in the US. Over 54,000 Georgians are living with HIV and over 2,500 more are diagnosed each year. Our state ranks 6th for total number people living with HIV, 2nd among states in rate of new HIV diagnoses, and 3rd in people living with AIDS as of 2013. More than 64% of people living with HIV in Georgia reside in Metro Atlanta10.

In the past five years, almost 2,000 youth 13-24 were diagnosed with HIV in Metro Atlanta. Those living with HIV require complex medical care and daily medication to keep the virus controlled, stay healthy and prevent transmission to others. Of all youth living with HIV in Metro Atlanta, only 36% are regularly receiving medical care for HIV treatment, and only 28% take medication regularly enough to achieve healthy immune system function11. Young people are the future of Metro Atlanta, and healthy people are the pillars of a thriving city.

Why policy matters HIV prevention and care professionals have been fighting the epidemic on the front lines for over 30 years and have made great strides, but we will not fight HIV on behavioral change alone. We need the support of policy makers to help advocate for “upstream” changes in areas like housing, healthcare access, resources for at-risk youth and scientifically accurate, standard HIV and sexuality education. Research shows young people are increasingly taking measures to protect themselves from HIV. Community leaders can join the fight by meeting youth halfway with sound prevention policy.

Selecting participants for the program

Eligibility You are eligible to participate in this program if you are: - Living with HIV (have been diagnosed as HIV positive) - Living in Metro Atlanta - 30 years of age or under - Willing to talk openly to others including elected officials and potentially the media about being HIV positive - Able to meet the program expectations as follows: o Attendance at 5 out of 6 mandatory training courses o Attendance on September 6, 2017 10:30-3:30 at the “Here are the Facts…Have our Backs” luncheon. o Ability to meet with elected officials and Georgia Equality staff to complete an HIV- related project in the elected official’s district as outlined below. o Attendance on December 1st 11:30am to 1:30pm at the World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action Lunch and an evening event on the same night.

10 Georgia Department of Public Health HIV Adult Core Surveillance, available online at http://dph.georgia.gov/data-fact-sheet-summaries 11 GDPH special data request for youth-specific HIV data, pulled April 3, 2015 by Delmar Little. Contact Delmar Little with questions: [email protected]. Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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Application Process

Applications are open beginning Friday, July 7, 2017. The process is as follows: 1. Interested and eligible youth may apply online here. 2. Coordinator will confirm your application submission within 72 hours. 3. All applications are due by 5pm EST Friday, August 4th. 4. Youth will be contacted individually for brief interviews in the two weeks following June 24th. 5. Final selections will be made and participants notified by August 11th.

Program Expectations & Stipends You will be expected to attend at least 6 of the 7 preparation courses, but attendance at all 7 courses is strongly recommended. Participants will receive a $10 per hour stipend for participation at all courses and advocacy events.

All participants must be available for the program’s capstone events. Those who are selected should reserve these dates as soon as possible:

1. Community reception on HIV criminalization at Atlanta Black Gay Pride on the evening of Wednesday, August 30, 2017 2. The “Here are the Facts…Have our backs” HIV Lunch & Learn and planning event on October 4, 2017 3. World AIDS Day- Atlanta (December 1, 2017) Participants will be expected to attend the Policy & Action Luncheon.

Participants who are unable to fulfill program expectations will be counseled and may be asked to forgo their advisory position if expectations cannot reasonably be met. Program staff will work hard to accommodate participants’ schedules and needs.

Preparing Youth for HIV Advocacy Many young people living with HIV are already strong advocates for improving the way HIV prevention and care are provided in Metro Atlanta. People living with HIV have formed the backbone of HIV policy change and activism since the beginning of the epidemic, and youth have historically led the charge. Over past three decades, while major advancements have been made in the field, advocacy has taken a back seat to HIV prevention and care direct service. Competitive federal grants have supplied the vast majority of HIV prevention and care needs but little to no funding has been allocated specifically for local and state policy advocacy. Many of today’s youth have never been exposed to the organized advocacy strategies of their predecessors living with HIV. There is great need for a strong, diverse cohort of HIV policy and advocacy experts in Atlanta to educate our elected officials and ensure accountability to their HIV positive constituents.

Youth HIV Policy Advisors Training Program Advisors will be trained in the following areas to prepare them to educate elected officials and respond to various inquiries on the topic. The dates and times of these trainings will be decided upon after participants are selected based on their schedules, but they will all be held at the Phillip Rush Center (1530 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30307), a MARTA accessible and community-friendly venue with training facilities.

Course Overview After this course, Participants should be able to: Orientation, HIV A casual meeting between last year’s  Understand the program “101” cohort of Youth HIV Policy Advisors and  Answer basic questions about HIV Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 71

the newest cohort to orient new members  Name reliable and unreliable into the program. sources for HIV information  Contact others living with HIV for support. 1. HIV+ people in Participants will learn about how their  Explain how HIV+ people created HIV Advocacy: The work fits into a historical tradition of an environment for policy change. History you’re HIV+ people leading advocacy, and  Articulate the importance of joining how HIV advocacy fits into other local centering HIV+ people in today’s Atlanta movements. advocacy environment.  Understand the importance of being status “out” in their advocacy.  Articulate why MIPA is important. 2. HIV status Participants will have a discussion about  Draw upon practice and strategies disclosure: Friends, their disclosure experiences and learn to disclose HIV status to friends and family, the World methods of disclosure that work for family various relationships and scenarios and  Draw upon strategies to avoid where to find support while dealing with problematic media experiences blowback.  Find more resources to support healthy disclosure. 3. Principles of Participants will learn the policy process  Explain how bills are introduced in Policy and from the ground up, the role of citizens in and move through the GA Advocacy advocacy, basics of GA legislature, legislature Metro Atlanta jurisdictions and how to  Explain how city ordinances are effectively communicate with elected passed officials. Training should cover direct  Explain how federal laws and action, lobbying, etc. policies play out locally

 Explain how activists/advocates influence policy and law in GA, Atlanta or nationally 4. HIV-specific Overview of specific HIV-related policies  Articulate avenues of federal, state Policy and that might arise in 2017-2017 session, and local funding related to HIV Advocacy history of HIV policy/advocacy in US prevention, care and research and GA, policies/laws that affect  Describe “root causes” of HIV in social/structural determinants of Metro Atlanta health/HIV risk in Atlanta.  Suggest policy or structural changes that would make an impact on HIV in Metro Atlanta  Create policy strategy framework for better HIV prevention/care in Metro Atlanta 5. Community Youth will learn how to organize their  Define community organizing Organizing peers to engage in problem  Lead a group of peers through the Workshop identification and strategic community process of resolving a social organizing for reform. problem  Tactics for winning support for strategic initiatives

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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6. Elective Youth will chose an HIV, policy or social  Topic area expertise & experience Enrichment justice-oriented workshop to attend in  Connections to HIV, policy and/or Workshop (3-5 Atlanta before September 1st. social justice organizations in hours) Atlanta

Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program: Key Events & Activities

Following these trainings, youth will be matched to elected officials based on geography, expertise or areas of interest. Upon completion of their training, the Advisor will contact the elected official to introduce him/herself and invite the elected official and/or their representative staff member to the October 2017 “Have our Backs” luncheon. After this initial introduction, the elected official may reach out to the Advisor and request information, ask questions about HIV or request the Advisor’s presence at HIV-related hearings or similar events. In addition to the one-on-one meetings associated with the End Youth HIV Project, there are two other in-person touch-points between elected officials and Advisors during this period:

#EndHIVATL “Do 1 Thing” Project For the duration of the program, participating Elected Officials will be asked to work with their designated Special Advisors on Youth HIV to complete an HIV-related project in their district. The time and effort dedicated to these projects will vary across districts and will depend on the level of commitment and interest of the elected official and their staff. Examples of these projects are as follows:

 Host an HIV town hall in your district  Host HIV testing in your district office one time  Make a public statement to your constituent about HIV at least twice before World AIDS Day (December 1): o From your official email account o From the House/Senate/Commission/City Hall floor  Offer a resolution recognizing importance of the issue in Atlanta work that has been done  Encourage one of your colleagues to join YHPA program in 2018  Get tested publicly for HIV during a public statement  Host an educational event about HIV for your colleagues in the House, Senate, City Council, County Commission or School Board  Other (must be selected and approved before embarked upon) All projects will be completed by mid-November and progress will be documented in a short film created over the duration of the program and showcased on World AIDS Day.

HIV in Metro Atlanta Lunch & Learn for participating elected officials & their staff

Date/Time: October 4, 2017 (subject to change) Location: The Phillip Rush Center Attendees: All participating elected officials and/or key planning staff and all Special Advisors on Youth HIV.

Description: This will be an opportunity for youth and their elected official partners to get to know each other and begin planning around their “Do 1 Thing” projects in an informal atmosphere.

Goals: - Introduce elected officials to their Special Advisors on Youth HIV - Provide youth an opportunity to tell their stories and present basic factual information on HIV Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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- Provide elected officials an opportunity to ask questions directly of a young person living with HIV. - Elected officials and youth will choose a “Do 1 Thing” project

World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action Event

Date/Time: Friday, December 1, 2017 Location: TBD Attendees: All participating elected officials and their Special Advisors on Youth HIV, Metro Atlanta elected officials (GA legislators, City Council, County Commissions, School Boards, etc.), local HIV experts and other community leaders

Description: Youth leaders will present their 2017 HIV policy agenda to elected officials and community leaders, calling the entire Metro Atlanta region to action.

Goals: - Provide elected officials with a clear policy roadmap for ending youth HIV starting in 2018. - Inspire, uplift and rejuvenate our HIV advocates and champions to renew their fight against the inequalities that HIV thrives on.

Additional Application Information & Confidentiality

Confidentiality Statement

This program is intended for young people age 30 or younger who are living with HIV (are HIV positive) and willing to disclose their HIV status publicly (i.e. openly discussing their positive HIV status with elected officials, the press, and other audiences). During the application process, program staff will do everything possible to ensure the confidentiality of applicants' identities. Only the Program Manager has direct access to the information you submit through this form. The Program Manager will contact you by email to set up a brief phone call to confirm details of your application, make sure you understand the program's expectations, and set up an interview. Following this initial email and a phone call, will be an in-person interview. Please be advised that interviewers will be aware that applicants are living with HIV (HIV positive). Sharing your positive HIV status is a different journey for everyone, and we recognize that public disclosure is not safe or comfortable for everyone. If you are not comfortable disclosing your HIV status to interviewers, elected officials or the press/media, you should not apply to participate in this program. There are many ways to gain support without disclosing your HIV status. If you are interested in getting medical care or joining a support group, call Georgia's HIV info line at (800) 551-2728.

Application Questions

This application is available online at GeorgiaEquality.org/YHPA. The application requires applicants to provide the following information:

1. First and last name (this does not necessarily need to be your legal name, but must be something we can use to uniquely identify you.)

2. Email Address (Email is the main way we will communicate with participants for this program. Please use an email address that you check often.)

3. Phone number (Please provide a number that is a reliable way to call or text you. If you don't have one, leave it blank.)

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 74

4. Background information/Brief Biography (Briefly tell us about where you're from, your experiences living with HIV, your hopes and dreams, and some things that you enjoy doing.)

5. Why you would like to become a Youth HIV Policy Advisor (Why is it important to you to be an advocate for issues that affect people living with and at risk for HIV?)

6. Whether you will be able to fulfill program training and event attendance requirements.

7. Information about your work/school/life schedule and availability.

Special Accommodations Statement It is Georgia Equality’s goal to reasonably accommodate any and all candidates who may be a good fit for this program. If you would like to participate in this program but need special accommodations of any kind, please contact the coordinator to discuss.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 75

Acceptance Letter

August 8, 2017

Dear [Name]-

Congratulations! We are happy to welcome you on board as a 2017 Youth HIV Policy Advisor! During your time with the program, you will receive intensive training and work with other members of your class to prepare a policy agenda and present it to elected officials on World AIDS Day. You will also be paired with a Metro Atlanta elected official and serve as their Special Advisor on HIV. An outline of the trainings with their tentative dates is enclosed below, but dates will be solidified no later than August 10, 2017.

If you choose to accept this invitation to be part of the Class of 2017 YHPA, your next step is to fill out the acceptance form https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YHPA2017 . After you complete this, you’ll receive paperwork to complete so that we can provide you a stipend for your time at the rate of $10/hr.

You will also fill out an agreement acknowledging in writing that by joining this program, you are agreeing to discuss your positive HIV status with the program staff, elected officials and potentially the media and the public, and you will be asked to sign a photo/video release form so that we can post program photos, headshots, bios, etc. on our website and/or social media.

At Georgia Equality, we believe that people living with HIV play a central role in advocating for better policies and programs for HIV prevention and care. We were so impressed by your story, background and passion for creating a better world for other people living with HIV who cannot speak openly about it. Thank you again for your thoughtful application and interview! We look forward to working with you to help our city’s leaders understand and fight HIV.

Sincerely,

[Name] Georgia Equality 1530 DeKalb Ave. NE – Atlanta, GA 30307 Office: _____-______/ Mobile: ______/ Email______

Mandatory Trainings & Events: 2017 YHPA Program PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES & TIMES! Course/Event Overview Learning Objectives Date/Time & Location Orientation & What’s This course will introduce  Understand Saturday, August 26, the point of policy? participants to the program 2017 program and each other requirements 12pm-3pm in a casual environment, Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 76

and contextualize policy  Know other The Phillip Rush Center as a structural participants in the intervention for HIV. program 1530 Dekalb Ave NE  Understand and Atlanta, GA 30307

articulate how Sheffield Lounge policy relates to HIV prevention and care Lunch Provided  Select an elected official to work with Event: HIV is Not A This educational event,  Explain Georgia’s Wednesday, August 30, Crime: Artists take on hosted by the Georgia laws on criminal 2017 6pm-9pm HIV Criminalization Coalition to End HIV non-disclosure of Criminalization, will HIV status The Phillip Rush Center show various 1530 DeKalb Ave NE  Explain why Atlanta, GA 30307 perspectives on the issue Georgia’s HIV of HIV criminalization. criminalization laws Event Annex harm our fight against HIV Appetizers Provided  Articulate the importance of artists’ involvement in HIV advocacy HIV “101” & A Participants will get a  Explain how HIV is Saturday, September 9, “Root Cause” analysis: basic overview of transmitted 2017 Thinking beyond modern HIV science,  Explain how HIV is behavior review of last year’s treated 12pm-3pm YHPA policy agenda  Discuss why Georgia and conduct “root cause and the South are Phillip Rush Center analyses of common highly impacted by Sheffield Lounge behavioral risk HIV 1530 Dekalb Ave NE behaviors for HIV. Atlanta, GA 30307  Understand why and how to conduct Lunch Provided a root cause analysis  Understand how focusing on risk behavior may be detrimental to our fight against HIV Principles of Policy and Participants will learn  Explain how bills Saturday, September Advocacy the policy process from are introduced in 16, 2017 12pm-3pm the ground up, the role and move through of citizens in advocacy, the GA legislature 1530 Dekalb Ave NE basics of GA legislature,  Discuss how city Atlanta, GA 30307 Metro Atlanta ordinances are jurisdictions and how to passed Lunch Provided effectively communicate  Explain how federal with elected officials. laws and policies Training should cover play out locally direct action, lobbying,  Explain how Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 77

etc. activists/advocates influence policy and law in GA, Atlanta or nationally Special topics in HIV We will explore the  Describe in lay Saturday, September policy following topics “round person’s terms how 23rd robin” style: social determinants 12pm-3pm - HIV criminalization of HIV affect HIV - Sex Education prevention and care Phillip Rush Center - LGBTQ discrimination  Describe how policy 1530 Dekalb Ave NE and racial bias is made around Atlanta, GA 30307

- Housing & several special homelessness topics in HIV Sheffield Lounge prevention and care Lunch Provided

Community Organizing Participants will learn  Define community Saturday, October 7th Workshop how to organize their organizing 12pm-3pm peers to engage in  Lead a group of problem identification peers through the Phillip Rush Center and strategic community process of resolving 1530 Dekalb Ave NE organizing for reform. a social problem Atlanta, GA 30307

 Tactics for winning Sheffield Lounge support for strategic initiatives Lunch Provided Elective Enrichment Participants will chose  Topic area On your own time, Workshop (3-5 hours) an HIV, policy or social expertise & before the end of justice-oriented experience December workshop to attend in  Connections to HIV, Atlanta before policy and/or social December 15th. justice organizations in Atlanta Elected Officials/Staff This will be an  Stronger networking October – December Coffee Chats opportunity for skills (Dates/times to be participants and their  Connections to determined by yours elected official partners representative and your elected (and/or their staff) to elected officials official’s schedules) get to know each other  Enriched knowledge and develop of elected officials’ relationships. roles in HIV prevention/care policy World AIDS Day Participants will work  Team-building October – November Planning/Agenda with their  Leadership (Dates/times to be Development Meetings classmates/cohort to  Delegation determined by the plan World AIDS Day group’s schedules) events and write a  Presentation, policy agenda planning and writing Phillip Rush Center skills Pizza Provided for

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 78

some meetings World AIDS Day- Luncheon: Youth leaders  Presentation skills December 1, 9am - 3pm Atlanta Events will present their 2017  Networking skills (luncheon will run 11am- HIV policy agenda to 1pm elected officials and community leaders, Lunch Provided calling the entire Metro Atlanta region to action. Evening Event: Details TBD

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

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 Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 80

HIV Status Disclosure Form

HIV Status Disclosure Form Youth HIV Policy Program July 2017

Participant Name: ______

Program Staff Name: ______

DISCLOSURE OF HIV STATUS AS PART OF THE YOUTH HIV POLICY ADVISORS’ PROGRAM: By participating in the Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program as a Youth HIV Policy Advisor, I understand the following as it relates to the disclosure of my HIV status. (please initial by each statement you have read and understand):

______As part of the program I will be talking openly about my HIV status to program staff, elected officials and other community leaders involved in the program.

______My participation in this program (my name being associated with it) implies that I am HIV positive, even if I don’t explicitly say it during the program.

______If I speak publicly at any event associated with the Youth HIV Policy Advisors program, I understand the media (for a newspaper/online article, television, radio, etc.) may be present and may broadcast what I say to readers, listeners or viewing audiences. This publicity may be local, national or global.

______If I choose to speak one-on-one to the media (for a newspaper/online article, television, radio, etc.), I understand there is a possibility that the media may cover my personal story, HIV facts or the facts about this program in a way I did not intend to communicate them.

______My participation in this program is optional, and I may leave the program at any time. ______After the program is launched publicly, program staff will be unable to retract my public disclosure (i.e. remove videos from the internet, retract media coverage), or provide direct protection from any problems stemming from HIV status disclosure. This includes problems with family, friends/peers or communities, legal or criminal violations.

______Program staff may use my name and/or professional photograph in describing this program to the community (for example, on the program’s website or in a press release).

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018 81

______Program staff has asked if I have any questions about disclosing my status and has answered my questions to my satisfaction.

______If I choose not to participate in this program at this time (before the public program launch), program staff will not disclose my name or other identifying information to anyone, and will delete my identifying information from any existing documentation.

SIGNATURES OF PARTICIPANT and PROGRAM STAFF By signing this document, I am communicating that I understand the above statements about disclosing my HIV status during the Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program. This is not a legally binding document. Georgia Equality’s Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program coordinator is available for questions/concerns Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm at: [Name] Georgia Equality Phillip Rush Center 1530 DeKalb Avenue, Suite A Atlanta, GA 30307 [Email, Phone, Mobile]

Participant Signature: ______

Program Staff Signature: ______

Date & Time: ______

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Media Release Form By signing this release form, I authorize Georgia Equality and Equality Foundation of Georgia to use the following personal information: (1) My picture – including photographic, motion picture, and electronic (video) images. (2) My voice – including sound and video recordings.

I hereby grant to Georgia Equality and Equality Foundation of Georgia, its subsidiaries, licensees, successors and assigns, the right to use, publish, and reproduce, for all purposes, my name, pictures of me in film or electronic (video) form, sound and video recordings of my voice, and printed and electronic copy of the information describ ed in sections (1) and (2) above in any and all media including, without limitation, cabl e and broadcast television and the Internet, and for exhibition, distribution, promotion, ad vertising, sale, press conferences, meetings, hearings, educational conferences and in broc hures and other print media. This permission extends to all languages, media, formats and markets now known or hereafter devised. T his permission shall continue forever unless I revoke the permission in writing.

I further grant Georgia Equality and Equality Foundation of Georgia all right, title, and interest that I may have in all finished pictures, negatives, reproductions, and copies of th e original print, and further grant Georgia Equality and Equality Foundation of Georgia the right to give, sell, transfer, and exhibit the print in copies or facsimiles thereof, for marketing, communications, or advertising purposes, as it deems fit.

I hereby waive the right to receive any payment for signing this release and waive the r ight to receive any payment for Georgia Equality and Equality Foundation of Georgia use of any of the material described above for any of the purposes authorized by this release. I also waive any right to inspect or approve finished photographs, audio, video, multimedia, or advertising recordings and copy or printed matter or computer generated scanned image and other electronic media that may be used in conjunction therewith or to approve the eventual use that it might be applied.

I acknowledge that I have read the foregoing and I fully understand the contents.

Print Name: Date:

Telephone Number:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Signature:

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

(If release is provided on behalf of a minor:) I hereby certify that I am the parent or guardian of ______, who is under the age of eighteen years, to whom this r elease applies and that I have the legal authority to execute this release. I approve the foregoing and agree that we both shall be bound thereby.

Parent/Guardian:

Telephone Number:

Address:

Signature:

City/State/Zip:

City/State/Zip:

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Elected Official Invitation Letter Dear [Name]-

On behalf of Georgia Equality, I would like to invite you to participate in the 2016 Georgia Equality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program! You were specifically chosen for this project because one of our outstanding Youth HIV Policy Advisors, [Name], is your constituent and would like to work with you to raise awareness about HIV in his district.

What is the Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program? This program pairs Metro Atlanta elected officials one-on-one with HIV+ young people who will serve as their designated Special Advisors on Youth HIV. Advisors will work with you and your staff on strategies to raise awareness about HIV in your district. Advisors will also make policy recommendations to you, the community and the press at the 3rd annual World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action Luncheon on November 30, 2016.

What commitments are expected of participating elected officials? 1. Participating elected officials and/or their staff will work with their Special Advisors to complete one, HIV-related project in the elected official’s district by the end of 2016. These projects may include: hosting an HIV awareness town hall session for your constituents, using your official social media account to promote HIV prevention messages, introducing HIV-related legislation, partnering with a testing agency to offer HIV testing from your district office, hosting an HIV-related informational session for other elected officials or another project of your choice.

2. Participating elected officials and and/or representative staff will attend 1 planning meeting for your in-district project at the time and location that works best for you and your advisor, and make staff available for project planning via phone or email as needed.

3. Participating elected officials will attend the World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action luncheon on Tuesday, November 30, 2016 11:30am to 1:30pm at Gallery 874. Other elected officials, media, local HIV experts and youth will also be present, and an overview of your work will be showcased.

Why should you participate? In Metro Atlanta, 3,000 youth are living with HIV and only 1/3 are receiving the care they need. Homelessness, poor healthcare access, lack of medically accurate education and racial inequality are all root causes of this epidemic. This is an opportunity for you to learn about HIV, share information and resources with your constituents and be recognized as an integral part of our region’s historic effort to end this epidemic once and for all. Please join us!

Sincerely,

[Name] Equality Foundation of Georgia [Phone] [Email]

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

HIV Knowledge Pre-Test Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program HIV Knowledge Pre-Test

This is an anonymous test. You will not be judged on your answers. No one will know who completed any given test. Please place this test in the yellow envelope when you are finished. Please try to complete each answer to the best of your ability. Do not use your smart phone, computer or any other devices, and do not ask others to help you.

1. What do the letters in HIV & AIDS stand for?

H: ______I: ______V: ______

A:______I: ______D:______S: ______

2. Briefly explain the difference between HIV and AIDS:

Multiple Choice questions (circle the right answer)

3. About how many people in Georgia are estimated to be living with HIV? (Circle the right answer)

A. 500 B. 5,000 C. 50,000 D. 500,000

4. Compared to other Metropolitan areas in the United States, Metro Atlanta has what ranking in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in 2012?

A. Metro Atlanta is #1 in new infections in the United States. B. Metro Atlanta is #8 in new infections in the United States. C. Metro Atlanta is #44 in new infections in the United States. D. Metro Atlanta is #20 in new infections in the United States. E. Metro Atlanta is #5 in new infections in the United States.

5. In 2012, almost half of all new HIV infections in Georgia were in which population in Georgia?

A. African-American heterosexual women B. African-American gay men C. White gay men D. White heterosexual women

6. In Georgia, the most common way people contract HIV is through: A. Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex B. Sharing needles Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

C. Childbirth D. Other

7. People who want to lower their risk for HIV can:

A. Not have sex. B. Use a condom. C. Take a once-daily pill called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). D. Any of the above.

True or false questions (circle the right answer)

8. African-Americans (Black people) in Georgia are more likely to get HIV than Caucasian-Americans (White people).

True False

9. In Georgia, all sex education in schools is abstinence-only (i.e. teachers are not allowed talk about condoms or other forms of protection from pregnancy or STDs)

True False

10. It is illegal for an HIV positive person in Georgia to have sex with a partner without disclosing his or her HIV status.

True False

11. All HIV positive people in Georgia are eligible for healthcare through Medicaid.

True False

12. President Barack Obama was the first president to develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States.

True False

13. Young people are at greater risk for contracting HIV if they are homeless.

True False

HIV Transmission Questions (True or False)

14. Coughing and sneezing do NOT spread HIV.

True False

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

15. A person can get HIV by sharing a glass of water with someone who has HIV. True False

16. Pulling out the penis before a man climaxes/cums keeps a woman from getting HIV during sex.

True False

17. A woman can get HIV if she has anal sex with a man.

True False

18. Showering, or washing one’s genitals/private parts, after sex keeps a person from getting HIV.

True False

19. All pregnant women infected with HIV will have babies born with AIDS.

True False

20. People who have been infected with HIV quickly show signs of being infected.

True False

21. There is a vaccine that can stop adults from getting HIV.

True False

22. People are likely to get HIV by deep kissing, putting their tongue in their partner’s mouth, if their partner has HIV.

True False

23. A woman cannot get HIV if she has sex during her period.

True False

24. There is a female condom that can help decrease a woman’s chance of getting HIV.

True False

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

25. A natural skin condom works better against HIV than does a latex condom.

True False

26. A person will not get HIV if she or he is taking antibiotics.

True False

27. Having sex with more than one partner can increase a person’s chance of being infected with HIV.

True False

28. Taking an HIV test one week after having sex will tell a person if she or he has HIV.

True False

29. A person can get HIV by sitting in a hot tub or swimming in a pool with a person who has HIV.

True False

30. A person can get HIV from oral sex

True False

31. Using Vaseline or baby oil with condoms lowers the chance of getting HIV.

True False

Short answer questions (CHOOSE ONLY TWO to answer, and please answer in 2-5 sentences maximum)

32. How do you think being homeless might put someone at risk for getting HIV?

33. How does stigma (or discrimination against HIV positive people) make it harder to end the HIV epidemic?

34. How would education in schools need to change in order to help young people better understand HIV risk?

35. What is the most important change we could make as a society in order to end the HIV epidemic?

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Pre-Test Answer Key 14-31 based on: Carey, M. P., & Schroder, K. E. E. (2002). Development and psychometric evaluation of the brief HIV knowledge questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18). AIDS Education and Prevention, 14, 174-184).

Numbers correspond with our pre-test. 14 True 1 Human Immunodeficiency 15 False Virus 16 False

Acquired 17 True Immuno 18 False Deficiency Syndrome 2 HIV is a virus spread 19 False through certain body 20 False fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, 21 False if untreated it can lead to AIDS. AIDS is the 22 False most severe phase of 23 False HIV infection in which the immune system is 24 True badly damaged and you 25 False become vulnerable to opportunistic infections. 26 False 3 C 4 E 27 True 5 B 28 False 6 A 7 D 29 False 8 True 9 False 30 True 10 True 31 False 11 False 12 True 13 True

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Bio Builder Worksheet

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

“Cultural Competency” Self-Reflection Exercise

What is “cultural competency”? Cultural competency usually means having an understanding of diverse identities and how they affect our interactions with ourselves and other people. When people want a “cultural competency” training they are usually asking to be educated about a group of people or identity that they know little about. For example, straight and non-transgender people might want “cultural competency” training about LGBTQ identities and men might want “cultural competency” training about how to understand women’s needs in the workplace. Some “cultural competency” trainings are about race and ethnicity.

Usually the goal is to create understanding and sensitivity in the majority for a specific minority or set of minority identities.

When we work with other people, it requires a combination of self-reflection and self-education, and a little bit of education along the way.

Personal Reflection Exercise When you think about your identities, what comes to mind? This could be anything. Race, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, serostatus, language, style, interests, hobbies, group membership, family position, abilities, disabilities, education, employment status, etc.

For this part of the exercise, list some identities that you feel ownership of. This does NOT have to be shared with the group.

I am______

Our society places value on certain identities over others. Thinking about your identities (listed above) which of those fall into categories that are valued by the “average American”? You can circle those or put a star by them.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

The River Metaphor Discussion

The “River Metaphor:” Talking about HIV beyond individual behaviors and personal choice12

Bridge Exercise: Let’s use an example of a river to illustrate the effect of intervening at the structural level. Imagine a river. The current is strong, and the only way to reach the other side is by a bridge. The bridge is broken, and people who try to cross keep falling into the river.

The River Metaphor

12 Center for Strengthening Youth Prevention Paradigms at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

The River Metaphor

There are people on the shore who see this and attempt to rescue the victims. First, they run downstream and pull individuals from the water one by one. People are being saved from drowning, but it’s hard work to reach everyone.

The problem is that the bridge is still broken, and people continue to fall into the river and fight for their lives.

Prompt: At what level is the response? [Answer: Individual-level intervention]

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

The rescuers begin to get tired and do not see an end in sight. Then someone has an idea – to warn the people crossing the bridge that it is broken by posting signs.

The River Metaphor

Watch your step Broken Bridge Cuidado !

The community begins a campaign to make people aware of the dangerous bridge. A couple of people manage to cross the bridge safely, but most do not even see the signs. The rate of people falling into the river remains high.

Prompt: At what level is the response? [Answer: community-level intervention]

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

The community is frustrated by now. At last someone says, “Why don’t we just fix the bridge?” Finally, they repair the bridge and everyone can cross the bridge safely.

The River Metaphor

In real life, in may not be that easy to “fix” the problem – there are always many issues to sort through: who decided on the materials to use? Who made the repairs? Who funded the bridge-renewal project? Which side of the river claimed the success? – but, nevertheless, the impact is huge. No one drowns.

Looking upstream to fix the root of the problem, is perhaps the simplest way to describe a structural change. In the river metaphor the focus was on introducing the concept of where to intervene. The example that saved the most lives was the one that intervened on a structural level.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Relating the River Analogy to HIV Prevention

Think about young people in Atlanta falling into the river of HIV infection –or the risk environment - at record rates… some make it out but many others are drowning… We have to ask ourselves three important questions:

1. Why are these young people falling into the river OR why are these young people becoming infected? 2. We have people pulling others out of the river (who are those people- ASO case managers, family/friends, etc.)? 3. We have life rafts to throw them (what are the life rafts? Condoms, MARTA cards, HIV linkage to care, etc.) 4. We put up signs in the community (Greater than AIDS Campaigns, Public Health Advisories, Health fairs, HIV testing events, etc.)

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Interventions Definitions Handout

HIV Intervention Definitions An intervention is anything that is supposed to change (usually improve) knowledge, skills, abilities

1. Individual-level HIV interventions

Defined: Any intervention designed to be implemented one-on-one.

From the river metaphor exercise: A person throwing a life preserver at a person who has already fallen into the water.

Examples:  1-on-1 case management  Tutors  Parent/child conversations  Pre and post HIV test counseling  Doctor/patient interaction

2. Group HIV interventions

Defined: Any intervention designed to be implemented with a group of people at one time. This is usually targeted at a specific risk group, but may also simply require a small group of people gathered to participate.

From the river metaphor exercise: A person throwing life preservers at many people who have already fallen into the water.

Examples:  Classroom teaching  HIV education presentations in front of an audience  Event-based HIV education (health fair, concert, vigil, etc.)  Evidence-based interventions designed for a group of people (Brothers Saving Brothers, Horizons, Making Proud Choices, etc.)  Educational videos

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

3. Community-level HIV interventions

Defined: Any intervention designed to be implemented at the community level, including broad audiences like a whole neighborhood, city or region.

From the river metaphor exercise: The community putting up signs warning people not to use the broken bridge.

Examples:  Billboard campaigns (Greater Than AIDS, HIV Treatment Works)  Social Media campaigns (#SpeakOutHIV, rainbow profile pictures, #BlackLivesMatter, etc.)  Public service announcements on TV/radio  Ongoing series of events promoted for the whole community (repeated community health fairs, etc.)  Hand-washing signs in bathrooms  Information campaigns about HIV criminalization, routine HIV testing

4. Structural (policy) HIV interventions

Defined: Any intervention that changes policy, starts a new practice, changes the built environment or dramatically affects the availability of funding available for large-scale change.

From the river metaphor exercise: The community combines resources and re-builds the broken bridge.

Examples:  A new healthcare law, like the ACA  A change in HIV criminalization laws  A new policy at a large hospital to offer HIV testing to everyone  A new healthcare center for uninsured patients  State expansion of Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act  A city builds a walking path through the city (like the BeltLine)

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Types of Interventions Compared Worksheet

Type of Impact Sustainability (how long will Examples of HIV Intervention (how many impact last?) Interventions people?) Individual Level

Group Level

Community Level

Structural Level

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Who Represents Us? Worksheet

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program 2017 Elected Officials: Who represents us?

Participant Name: ______Participant Address:

Elected Representative Name & District/Area/Party Contact Phone, email, social media handle: U.S. Senators John “Johnny” Isakson Isakson: 202-224-3643 Republican, Georgia @SenatorIsakson www.govtrack.us [email protected] David Perdue Perdue: 202-224-3521 Republican, Georgia (404) 865-0087 @Sendavidperdue

U.S. Congress Person www.govtrack.us

State Senator (Georgia State Senate) www.openstates.org State Representative (Georgia House of Reps.) www.openstates.org Mayor

Google City Council Member(s) ATL:citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/ Other cities: google

County Commissioner(s) Google

School Board Member(s) Google

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Writing Problem Statements Worksheet

What is a problem statement? A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issue(s) that need(s) to be addressed. It is used to center and focus the team at the beginning, keep the team on track during the effort, and is used to validate that the effort delivered an outcome that solves the problem statement. (Ceptara, 2009).

Create 3 problem statements for each area as it relates to HIV.

HIV prevention and care funding and resources Example Problem Statement from Intergenerational Dinner: HIV prevention strategy for Fulton County does not currently include dispensing PrEP.

Problem Statement 1:

Problem Statement 2:

Problem Statement 3:

Housing Example Problem Statement from Intergenerational Dinner: There are more people living with HIV who need affordable housing than there is housing available for them in Atlanta.

Problem Statement 1:

Problem Statement 2:

Problem Statement 3:

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Sex Education Example Problem Statement from Intergenerational Dinner: Sex education usually starts after students are already having sex or have begun learning about it from other sources.

Problem Statement 1:

Problem Statement 2:

Problem Statement 3:

HIV Criminalization Example Problem Statement from Intergenerational Dinner: HIV Criminalization deters people from getting tested for HIV because if they don’t know their status, they can’t be prosecuted.

Problem Statement 1:

Problem Statement 2:

Problem Statement 3:

Healthcare Example Problem Statement from Intergenerational Dinner: Georgia does not have affordable health care for those who cannot afford ACA plans but are not eligible for Medicaid.

Problem Statement 1:

Problem Statement 2:

Problem Statement 3:

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

HIV Policy Brainstorm Worksheet

Each group gets a topic area with key problem statements. Come up with up to three (3) “bridge- building” solutions the involve policy/law change, inspired by the River Metaphor.

Your Topic Area (Housing, Healthcare, Sex Ed, HIV Prevention/Care Resources, HIV Criminalization, etc.):

______

Questions:

1. What is GA/Metro ATL/County’s CURRENT law/policy/practice? Where did you find that info?

2. What do you want to change?

3. Why is it important?

4. What would the “bridge” look like?

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Practice Advocacy Worksheet Using what you learned from the advocacy training, make a plan for communicating your elected official as part of the following scenarios. After 30 minutes we will report back to the group in 5 minutes each:

Group 1: Housing for LGBTQ youth City Councilmember Alex Wan was inspired by what you presented on WAD about how LGBTQ youth homelessness is a really big issue in Atlanta that might be contributing to new HIV infections. Councilmember Wan introduces legislation into committee that would allocate funding specifically for LGBTQ youth specific beds at shelters across Atlanta.

Howard Shook is your Councilmember. He will be voting on this legislation with the rest of council in three weeks. What will you do to make sure he votes in its favor?

Group 2: Sex Education Republican State Senator Renee Unterman and Democratic Senator Vincent Fort have decided they would like to re-examine Georgia’s Sex Education laws. They work together to hold a public hearing in early August before school starts. Senator Fort tells you about the hearing and asks you to advocate for comprehensive sex education on behalf of people living with and at risk for HIV. He warns you that there will be several very conservative legislators and lobby groups present, but he has three slots on the agenda for people living with HIV to talk about sex education.

What will you before and during and after this hearing to ensure you effectively make your point?

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Group 3: Routine, opt-out HIV testing at a youth-serving emergency department

The CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) attended your WAD presentation and was shocked at data you presented about how many young people living with HIV don’t know their HIV status in Atlanta. You hear from an insider at CHOA that she is considering changing the policy at CHOA from testing only those who have HIV/AIDS related symptoms or who ask for a test to implementation of routine, opt-out HIV screening at the emergency department at Hughes Spaulding hospital (meaning they would start testing all teens who come into the ER, regardless of risk, as recommended by the CDC).

How would you mobilize the community around this issue to help push CHOA’s CEO in the direction of testing everyone?

Group 4: PrEP at the Health Department

The Fulton County HIV/AIDS Taskforce is in charge of making recommendations for how to spend federal HIV prevention dollars in Metro Atlanta. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP is a once-daily pill that if taken regularly is up to 96% effective at preventing new infection in people who are HIV negative. Without insurance, PrEP is very expensive. There are some members of the taskforce who believe that Fulton County should allocate some of its prevention money away from other forms of prevention and begin dispensing free PrEP to those at high risk from its health department clinic downtown. The taskforce chair would like your group to take leadership on advocacy on this issue.

How would you advocate to the Fulton County HIV/AIDS Taskforce to ensure funding is allocated for a free PrEP clinic?

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Policy Agenda Questions and Outline Guidelines: A policy brief/agenda gives elected officials brief, factual, compelling information to make a decision about drafting legislation, voting on legislation, or advocating to their fellow legislators about your issue. It should be short, persuasive, and factually correct

Things to keep in mind:  Know your audience: elected officials need basic, they have a lot on their plate, they don’t understand HIV like you do, and they are very distractible.  If you need data or information to support argument you can find it online. If you can’t find it online, as the facilitator. If not local information/data exists to back up your claim, you can use national/international information/data and suggest the same might be true for our city/state.

Outline your agenda:

1. Introduction o To HIV in Georgia and Metro Atlanta o To the state of your issue in GA and Metro Atlanta, especially those living with and most affected by HIV 2. Impact o How you issue affects people living with and/or at risk for HIV in Metro Atlanta and GA 3. Policy o Your policy recommendations on this issue. (What do you want your elected leaders to do about this?)

Key leadership audiences:  Elected officials  CEOs or Executive Directors of organizations relevant to your topic  Clergy or other community leaders

Policy Agenda Questions: HIV & Homelessness In small groups the 2017 YHPA cohort tackled HIV and Homelessness for a focused Policy Agenda.

Group 1: HOPWA FUNDING  What is HOPWA? What is the history of HOPWA funding at the federal level?  How much money is it every year and who gets the funds?  How does the City of Atlanta get HOPWA funds from the federal government?  What does the City of Atlanta’s process of applying and planning for HOPWA funds look like?  Who are Metro Atlanta HOPWA providers and what services do they provide?

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Group 2: HIV & HOMELESSNESS INFO  How is homelessness related to HIV prevention? How is housing prevention for HIV?  How do we know that (what data/evidence do we have)?  How is housing HIV healthcare?  How many people are living with HIV and in need of stable housing in Metro Atlanta?

Group 3: PLWHA & Housing Barriers  Describe some scenarios where people living with HIV become homeless.  Why do people have trouble getting into housing after they are diagnosed with HIV?  Personal reasons:  Other reasons (systems-related reasons):

ALL GROUPS:  What do groups working with people living with HIV who are homeless need to do better?  What do our elected officials need to know about homelessness and HIV?

Questions for the video and WAD presentation:

 What’s the link between homelessness & HIV?  Why do LGBTQ youth come to Atlanta from other parts of the Deep South?  What do elected officials need to understand about people living with HIV in Metro Atlanta?  Why is stable housing so important for people living with HIV?  What does homelessness really look like for young people in your community?  What does our Atlanta community need to support LGBTQ youth of color?  How does gentrification play a role in the lives of people in your community?  Atlanta gets $23 million dollars to deal with homelessness specifically among people living with HIV, but only 2200 people were served last year. Why do you think more people don’t take advantage of these services?  What are some examples of HIV stigma?

Personal experiences of homelessness:  Tell me the story?  What led to your experience with homelessness? o Coming out to parents o Diagnosis  Was it easy to find help when you needed it?  How has HIV stigma affected your life as it pertains to housing?  How has your family been supportive or been a barrier to you?

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Event Sign-In Sheet

Sign-In: YHPA 2017 Kick-Off/Orientation Project: Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program Date: Facilitator: [Name], Georgia Equality Time: Place/Room: Phillip Rush Center

Print Name Organization (if any) Email

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Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

WAD Planning Roles & Logistics Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ World AIDS Day Ceremony “Here are the Facts, Have our Backs!” - Part II Tuesday, December 1, 2015 11:30am – 1:30pm

Program & Event Overview

Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Planning Roles

Key Personnel Responsibilities for YHPA Lunch Event on 12/01 Contact information [Name] is the Event - Manage agenda and flow of event Contact Email: Chair - Manage people in YHPA program Contact Phone: - Present data PPT - HIV 099 [Name] Are sub-co- - Co-leads who are directly supervised by [Name] Contact email: chairs (likely each will have a key area of responsibility) Contact phone: [Name] is the emcee - Will introduce the event by introducing the YHPA Contact email: of the event Program and its goals. Contact phone: - Will keep program flowing as intended by YHPA Chair - Will facilitate Panel discussion conversation between YHPA and elected officials [Name] is the food - Will maintain contact with Gina from Georgia Contact email: and service liaison Equality to ensure caterer meets programming Contact phone: needs.

Georgia Equality Personnel Roles:

Key Personnel Responsibilities for YHPA Lunch Event on Contact 12/01 information [Name] is the main Georgia - Send out email and paper invitations Equality administrative person - Confirm catering details on this event. - Manage planning internally - Inform [Name] (intern) of key duties associated with this position - Match elected officials with YHPA participants [Name] is the GE MSW intern - Liaise with YHPA Chair ([Name]) Contact and key administrative - Respond to inquiries from elected officials, email: replacement for [Name] on this the press, the community, etc. that are Contact event. directed at the program staff (she will phone: have access to [Name]’s email and phone) [Name] is the GE Development - [Name] will inform [Name] of progress Contact

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Associate/Field Organizer. and issues/concerns. email: - Contact [Name] in [Name]’s absence Contact - Will also act as a front-line policy advisor phone: for YHPA participants who have policy- specific questions or need to contact elected officials/community leaders through Georgia Equality. [Name] is the Deputy Director - [Name] is the financial person and can Contact of Georgia Equality and has answer questions about budget if there are email: final oversight over this event. unexpected requests Contact Contact her as a last resort. - Will ensure adequate staffing for event phone: setup the day before event

All Participants’ Contact Information

YHPA Participant Email Phone Elected Official

WAD Run of Show Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ World AIDS Day Ceremony “Here are the Facts, Have our Backs!” - Part II Tuesday, December 1, 2015 11:30am – 1:30pm

Master of Ceremony - Christian Dacus (10 min) [Alternate: Nina]

Greetings and salutations. I'd like to thank you all for attending Georgia Equality's Second Annual World AIDS Day - Atlanta policy and action luncheon. My name is Christian Dacus, I'll be your master of ceremonies this afternoon.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

Globally, this year's World AIDS Day theme is "G-etting to Zero": that means zero discrimination, zero new infections, and most importantly Zero AIDS related deaths. By working together as a community we can absolutely accomplish this goal. In fact, the US government has selected the domestic theme: "The time to Act is Now" and we as young people could not agree more.

With that being said, today we will present to you our 2015/2016 Youth HIV prevention and care policy agenda in hopes that this great state of Georgia and this amazing City of Atlanta can finally address this devastating epidemic once and for all.

At this time I would like to acknowledged the city officials who have chosen to dedicate their time and effort to this human rights endeavor.

Please stand as I call your name. Atlanta City council president Ceasar Mitchell Senator Nan Orrock State Representative Karla Drenner State Representative Keisha Waites State Representative Pat Gardner Honorable Simone Bell Fulton County Chairman John Eaves City Council Member Alex Wan Senator Vincent Fort Commissioner Joan Garner Please, give them a round of applause.

Now to deliver an invocation I present a gentleman who is a local, regional, and national voice in the fight against HIV. He has served as community co-chair for the New Jersey HIV prevention community planning group, the Newark, NJ EMA and on Ryan White counsels in Knoxville, TN Columbus, OH Cleveland, OH Pittsburgh, PA and now here in Atlanta, GA. Please give a warm welcome to Khafre (Kooji-cha-galia) Abif.

Following Khafre we will have a welcome from Mr. Jeff Graham, Executive Director of Georgia Equality.

Jeff began advocating on LGBT and AIDS related issues as a college student in the mid-1980s and has continued his advocacy on these issues since that time. He has been involved in a wide variety of grassroots and legislative advocacy campaigns and has served as either an executive director or board member to a number of local and national organizations working on issues related to gay and transgender rights, access to healthcare, community empowerment and HIV/AIDS. Jeff has received numerous awards and recognition for both his advocacy and nonprofit work from organizations such as the National Center for Human Rights Education, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta City Council, The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, ACLU of Georgia and several publications and organizations within the local LGBT and HIV communities.

Invocation / African Libation Ceremony (10min) - Khafre Kujichagulia Abif

Welcome - Jeff Graham (5 min)

Video Message from Congressman John Lewis

Thank you Jeff for your welcome and Congressman Lewis for your charge towards ending HIV/AIDS within our community. As Congressman Lewis stated it is ever important to stop the spread of the epidemic by knowing your status, linking to medical care and standing up

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

and speaking out for our rights.

Next we will have Mr. Daniel D. Driffin to provide us with a recap of Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program and more information about the state of HIV within our home town.

Recap of YHPA/HIV 99 - Daniel D. Driffin (30 mins) [Alternate:Nina] This is Daniel part into the video…

Video/Voiceover of Reading Preamble (5 mins)

It is now my pleasure to invite my colleagues to provide highlights of the 2015/2016 Policy Agenda - Youth Living with HIV in Atlanta. Following their highlights we will transition into our

Policy Brief Release (30 mins) - Remind folks to write down questions and Jeremy will collect the questions

Healthcare - Mr. Damonte Pettygrue Employment & Education -Ms. Nina Martinez Housing - Mr. Lamar Yarborough and Schools - Ms. Masonia Traylor (introduce Christian back to the podium)

In 1984 he graduated from Morehouse College, on whose football team he was a 4-year letterman and a senior year captain. He earned a Master’s Degree in Religion from Yale University, and obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is now serving his 3rd elected term as chairman for the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

In December of 2014 Chairman Eaves and District 4 Commissioner Joan Garner proposed a resolution to establish a task force on HIV/AIDS for Fulton County. This entity would provide input and recommendations in areas of public education, advocacy, treatment, prevention, housing and other issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS in Fulton County. Here to tell you more about the Task Force, I welcome to the podium Fulton County Chairman John Eaves.

Overview of Fulton County Task Force Plan to End HIV - Chairman John Eaves (5min)

Q/A Panel Discussion Policy Briefs (20 mins) - Moderate Christian [Nina as alternate]

Mr. Brendan Allison Mr. Daniel Driffin Ms. Nina Martinez Ms. Masonia Traylor

Adjournment - Christian

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality Youth HIV Policy Advisors’ Program Tool Kit, 2018

To round out our program, we would like you to join us in reflections by our very own Youth HIV Policy Advisors Ms. D'jona King and Mr. Mike Lawrence with a musical selection by Mr. Jeremy Ford.

Closing Musical Activity - D’Jona King (3 mins)

I found out I was HIV positive at 15, after almost dying from pneumonia. I was introduced to Grady IDP once released from the hospital.

At first, with all the news, everything was horrible to me. I didn't care for treatments, the doctors, family, friends, not even myself.

After a while of being angry I decided to give Grady IDP a chance; they got me through some of my toughest times. From being sick, to being depressed, they helped me, once I decided I wanted help.

Now I'm in college and living life virally suppressed, and of course disabled, but I don't plan to be held down, not by anything. That's another thing Grady helped me to understand.

We Speak Your Name - Mike Lawrence (3 mins)

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that destroys the body’s natural ability to fight illness. When the virus cause a breakdown in the body’s immune system, it allows disease such as rare cancers and pneumonias to develop. More than 39 million people have died as a result of HIV, many of these names will never be known or make a panel of our AIDS Quilt. We invite you to join in and speak the names of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and children. As we march forward towards the goal of ZERO NEW INFECTIONS, ZERO DEATHS RELATED TO HIV AND ZERO DISCRIMINATION, we say thank you to those individuals who are not with us today!

-Shelton Samad Jackson - Essex Hemphill - Marlon Riggs -Gregory Ian Cox

Music Selection -Jeremy Ford (10 mins) overarching closing activities

Once again I would like to thank you all for joining us this World AIDS Day. I sincerely hope that you leave here today with new knowledge and a new found sense of community. We ask that you take these policies to heart and help us to implement and uphold them. We can get to zero once and for all. Remember...the time to act is now. Thank you.

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 404.523.3070 www.georgiaequality.org @GAEquality