July 2001
The only way to stop HIV is to prevent its spread. That may seem obvious. But in practice, it's a huge undertaking -- a task that involves people working together. That's what the CDC Foundation's Price Fellowship program is all about. The fellowship allows representatives from three non-governmental, community-based organizations anywhere in the U.S. to spend a month at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. There, Price Fellows explore with CDC professionals the latest, most effective ways to stop the spread of HIV. They learn how the agency's research, funding, and communication systems work from the inside.
The learning goes both ways: CDC's public health professionals gain new knowledge from fellows, too. They learn what works and what does not in the community. After the experience, Price Fellows return home to put their lessons to work -- and to continue their relationship with CDC.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the early 1980s. Because of their community-based orientation, close ties and proximity to affected populations, flexible organizational structure, and ability to talk openly about sensitive subjects such as sexuality, condom use, and substance use prevention, NGOs have been critical and effective partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The CDC recognizes the contribution of these organizations and their role as partners in a national HIV/AIDS prevention strategy. Today, NGOs provide significant primary education and prevention services for persons at high risk for HIV infection. Since 1989, CDC has provided direct funding to more than 200 locally and nationally-based NGOs to support their HIV-prevention activities. In addition, over 500 NGOs have received CDC funds indirectly through state and local health departments since 1985.
Building relationships between governmental and non-governmental organizations will result in a more effective delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention programs than either organization can achieve alone. Increasing interaction and exchange among persons in both types of organizations will help to build stronger prevention programs at the community level and will increase understanding and trust. The Price Fellowships for HIV Prevention Leadership will provide three NGO leaders an opportunity to visit the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, and, through interaction with CDC scientists and health professionals, complete a project or pursue a special interest -- and learn more about HIV prevention at the national level. This will facilitate exchange about important HIV/AIDS prevention issues between three NGO leaders and CDC personnel, state and local health department representatives, and other NGO leaders in the United States.
Three fellows will be selected and efforts will be made to ensure diversity in gender, age, race/ethnicity, sexual identity, and geographic representation.
The selection process for applicants is as follows:
A panel including representatives from CDC, state, and local health departments, and NGOs review application packages and rate applicants by the following pre-established criteria:
The panel will select up to six semi-finalists. Depending on the number of applicants and their range of scores, telephone interviews may also be conducted.
Semi-finalists will be invited to travel to the CDC to be interviewed by a five- to seven-member panel. (CDC will pay airfare to Atlanta, Georgia.) The panel will include representatives from the CDC, the CDC Foundation, state and local health departments, and NGOs. In addition, during their visit to the CDC, semi-finalists will participate in small group discussions and presentations. All applicants should be prepared to travel to CDC for two days for the personal interviews. Panel members will select three fellows for the fellowship program.
Since 1996, fourteen individuals have participated in the Price Fellowships for HIV Prevention Leadership program. These leaders in HIV prevention are listed below with their organizations and diverse special areas of focus at the time of their fellowship.
Nancy Emery (2000)
Communication Service for the Deaf
St. Paul, Minnesota
Focus: HIV outreach to the deaf community
Martin Gonzalez-Rojas (2000)
CALOR, A division of Anixter center
Chicago, Illinois
Focus: HIV prevention for Latino gay men
Ifecoma Udoh (2000)
California Prostitutes Education Project
Oakland, California
Focus: Barriers to fully engaging African Americans in the community planning process
Diane Bonne, M.A. (1999)
Northwest AIDS Foundation
Seattle, Washington
Focus: Integration of HIV prevention and care
Jesus A. Geliga, M.S. (1999)
The Resource Center
Dallas, Texas
Focus: HIV community planning participation of Latino MSM
Edward Tepporn (1999)
St. Louis Effort for AIDS
St. Louis, Missouri
Focus: HIV prevention efforts targeting API communities in the Midwest
Shari Lowenthal, M.A. (1998)
AIDS/HIV Services Group
Charlottesville, Virginia
Focus: HIV prevention in rural communities
Brenda Storey, M.S.W. (1998)
Mission Neighborhood Health Center
San Francisco, California
Focus: Primary prevention with HIV seropositive individuals
Alice Tkachik, M.S.W. (1998)
Sisters Helping Each Other
Chicago, Illinois
Focus: HIV prevention for sex workers in rural, suburban, and inner city areas
Michael Kaplan, M.A. (1997)
District 202
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Focus: HIV prevention for gay and bisexual youth
Jose Toro-Alphonso, Ph.D. (1997)
Fundacion SIDA de Puerto Rico
Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Focus: Evaluation of HIV programs in CBOs
Dan Wohlfeiler, M.P.H. (1997)
The STOP AIDS Project
San Francisco, California
Focus: Structural and environmental interventions for HIV prevention
Raymond Dumas (1996)
National Task Force on AIDS Prevention
San Francisco, California
Focus: Behavioral interventions among African-American gay males
Harry Simpson (1996)
Community Health Awareness Group
Detroit, Michigan
Focus: Reducing incidence of HIV infection from contaminated needles
At this writing (June 11, 2001) we are awaiting the selection of the three fellows who will be chosen to complete this astonishing program. This year over 300 people applied for the Price Fellowship and of those 300+ applicants 45 were selected for phone interviews and the six semi-finalists are:
Please look in next month's issue of AIDS Survival News for an update about the three finalists selected!