Improving Effectiveness Through:

Coalition Development & the Full and Effective Participation of People Living with HIV Disease in Program Development

• Retreats
• Presentations
• Training
• Interactive Learning
• Consultations
• Facilitation
• The Goal

The Technical Assistance Program (TAP) is a tool for the Division of HIV/AIDS to provide grantees of the Ryan White CARE Act, and related entities, including PLWH groups, on-site technical assistance (TA) to improve programs and systems. Primary consideration is given to Coalitions and grantees. However, subcontractors may apply for and receive TA to improve their programs at the local level. TAP services are offered by request or by recommendation of the Division of HIV/AIDS.

What TAP Can Do For You

The TAP may provide assistance in any of the following topic areas, all of which are related to the legislative mandates and programmatic requirements of the Ryan White CARE Act and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of HIV/AIDS:

Full & Effective Participation of People Living With HIV Disease (PLWH)

• Benefits of Diverse PLWH Participation

• DHS Expectations Regarding PLWH Participation

• Obstacles and Incentives for PLWH Involvement

• Confidentiality and Disclosure

• PLWH Diversity

• Methods for Effective Recruitment of PLWHs

• Methods for Ensuring Ongoing Participation of PLWHs

Member Involvement & Retention

• DHS Expectations for Supporting PLWH Membership

• Involving New Members

• Making Meetings Accessible

• Maintaining Member Involvement

• Roles of PLWH Caucuses and Committees in Supporting PLWH Involvement

Implementation of The Ryan White CARE Act

• Overview of Ryan White CARE Act

• Title I Implementation and DHS Expectations

• Title II Implementation and DHS Expectations

Grantee, Planning Council, and Consortium Roles and Responsibilities

• Overview of Title I Grantee and Planning Council Roles and Responsibilities

• Overview of Title II Grantee and Consortium Roles and Responsibilities

• Needs Assessment

• Comprehensive Planning

• Priority Setting and Resource Allocation

• Quality Assurance and Evaluation

Planning Council and Consortium Structure and Governance

• Organizational Structure and Bylaws

• Policies and Procedures

• Committees

• Conflict of Interest

• Grievance Procedures

• Relationships with Other Entities

Group Process and Decision-Making

• Stages of Group Process

• Group Decision-Making

• Working in Committees

• Effective Meetings

• Parliamentary Procedures

Skills for Effective Planning and Decision Making

• Problem Solving

• Using Data for Decision Making

• How to be an Advocate and a Planner

• Managing Conflict

Requesting TA

The Division of HIV/AIDS provides coordination and supervision of TAP services through the TAP Coordinator. The TAP Coordinator maintains a roster of approved TAP members with expertise to work directly with requestors in their areas of need. TAP services address critical issues in challenged communities, and can be provided by a team consisting of TAP consultants, Division staff, and regional staff.

A written request for TA should be submitted to the TAP Coordinator (see attached form). The TAP Coordinator reviews the request with all concerned parties by telephone to ensure a responsive and participatory intervention. The requestor may be responsible for payment of fees and reimbursement of expenses to TAP consultant as negotiated and agreed to by the parties. A draft TA Plan must be approved by the TAP Coordinator in order to finalize the agreement.

HIV/AIDS service providers know that People Living with HIV disease (PLWH) need more than just health care. They need information about preventing the spread of the disease, moral support, housing services, and more.

Once again, providers are being called upon by funders to distinguish themselves in the health care market and to prove their worth.

Through TAP, HIV/AIDS service providers have the unique opportunity to tailor their programs by involving those most affected -- PLWH -- in planning and training, making them not just clients, but advocates!

TAP consultants are uniquely qualified to offer technical assistance to coalitions and subcontractors receiving Ryan WhiteCARE Act funding. They are specially-trained in the legislative mandates and program requirements and have first-hand knowledge of what clients need.

We urge HIV/AIDS providers to take advantage of the resources offered by TAP. Without TAP your plans for service may lack the essential elements for renewed funding.

TAP Coordinator
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
Division of HIV/AIDS
Room 912, Health & Welfare Bldg.
P.O. Box 90
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0090