The first phase of the Positive Action Southern Initiative was launched on July 6, 2010 and focused on the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. It is a collaborative, community–focused program designed to address gaps in services or programs that support linkages to care and treatment adherence among African-American and Latino individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The Positive Action Southern Initiative focused on the Southern region of the United States following a national listening tour and extensive consultations with some of the sector’s leading non-governmental organizations, practitioners and policy-makers, including the country’s leading advocacy organizations dedicated to serving the needs of minority populations. Input from these groups helped us to better understand the personal, societal and structural barriers that may prevent HIV+ people from accessing and maintaining care and formed the basis for prioritizing both the region and types of organization that were the focus of the Phase I grants. In addition to the listening tour, ViiV Healthcare conducted an analysis to further understand the areas of greatest need in HIV and support the White House National HIV/AIDS Strategy. As a result, the Positive Action Southern Initiative is a community input enabled effort which reflects the priorities of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and supports innovative community organizations addressing disparities in HIV. The 2010 grants were announced on September 9, 2010.
On July 31, 2012 these first Round of Network members had the opportunity to re-apply for an additional round of two-year grants.
Beyond program grants, the Southern Initiative is also supporting the finalists through networking activities, including opportunities to share lessons learned with one another and with other community experts.
Network members include:
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Aid to Inmate Moms** – Montgomery, Alabama
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Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition**, Atlanta, Georgia
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Brotherhood Incorporated*, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge*, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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Grace House**, Jackson, Mississippi
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My Brother’s Keeper*, Jackson, Mississippi
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Positive Impact*, Atlanta, Georgia
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SisterLove*, Atlanta, Georgia
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Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council**, Lake Charles, Louisiana
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Union Mission’s J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center**, Savannah, Georgia
*2010/2012 Positive Action grant recipients
Positive Action Southern Initiative Grantees at AIDS 2012
ViiV Healthcare expanded the Southern Initiative programme on September 26, 2011 to add four additional states (Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee)
New Network members include:
- BASIC NWFL* in Panama City, FL
- Big Bend Cares in Tallahassee, FL
- Care Resource* in Miami, FL
- Compass, Inc. in Lake Worth, FL
- Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, Inc (JASMYN)* in Jacksonville, FL
- WellFlorida Council, Inc.* in Gainesville, FL
- Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN Inc.)* in Charlotte, NC
- Western North Carolina AIDS Project in Asheville, NC
- Lowcountry AIDS Services in North Charleston, SC
- South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council* in Columbia, SC
- Friends for Life Corporation in Memphis, TN
- Nashville Cares* in Nashville, TN
*2011 Positive Action grant recipients
On February 4th, 2013 these Network members had the opportunity to re-apply for an additional round of two-year grants.
To find out more about the Southern Initiative and take a tour of the project on the ViiV Healthcare Effect site: click here
Network members discuss their current projects during a network meeting
Network meeting in San Antonio, Texas - 2012 Workshop at network meeting prior to 2011 USCA