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Memphis HIV Prevention
Latino/Hispanic Advisory Council
The initial organizational meeting of the Latino/Hispanic HIV/AIDS Advisory Council was held on August 26, 2008. Meetings were held monthly. The participation among the Hispanic/Latino population consisted of those serving the ESL population within the school district, the Health Department, community-based organizations servicing the population, including Latino Memphis, Latino faith-based organizations, as well as parents and students. There have been participants representing at least 10 different nationalities. An HIV/AIDS education session was conducted at one meeting on the curriculum, “Parenting for HIV Prevention” in Spanish, presented by the Hispanic cadre member. This was in preparation for an upcoming Latino parent education meeting.
A Needs Analysis was completed by meeting participants to develop a plan of action for delivering HIV prevention education to the Hispanic population. The needs were prioritized before beginning to develop the plan. By the end of FY 2008, the draft of plan of action for delivering HIV prevention education to Hispanic students and families was near completion.
Attendance at monthly meetings fluctuated with 17 being the highest number of participants. The meeting notice was distributed on a listserv that reaches a large Hispanic population which may have increased participation at that meeting; however attendance has generally been low. Scheduling a meeting time to get consistent attendance has been a challenge, although we have had a good cross-section of participants, including two Hispanic high school students who are consistent and very engaged.
