Remembering Mandela

The Living Affected Corporation wishes to echo the global chorus of those who were inspired and uplifted by Former South African President Nelson Mandela. His heroic persistence and God given vision of knowing that we are all brothers of the earth will resonate to the end of time.

 

His personal lost of his last living son, Makgatho Mandela, to a AIDS related illness and his clarion call to his countrymen that, "AIDS is not longer just a disease, its human rights issue," resonates to this day. It is important that we remember that although many in our own country sought to end that regime unfortunately there were still US supporters to that injustice system and fought tooth and nail to justify its existence.

Furthermore, he also proclaimed that "By all accounts, we are dealing with the greatest health crisis in human history. By all measures, we have failed in our quest to contain and treat this scourge," is a statement that is unfortunately even more important as infections rates among Black gay men, 13-24 continue to alarmingly rise in Arkansas despite this population being only 1 percent of the state's citizens.

Mandela continuously emphasized that this health dilemma must become a global priority is a testament to his determination to not be about politics but the people whom he served.

At the opening of the Second International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (July 14, 2003), he said "The more we lack the courage and the will to act, the more we condemn to death our brothers and sisters, our children and our grandchildren.

 

When the history of our times is written, will we be remembered as the generation that turned our backs in a moment of a global crisis or will it be recorded that we did the right thing?"

Meanwhile Living Affected will continue its mission to decrease infections as we collectively send prayers and condolences to his family and all of the people of his beloved South Africa.

Tranforming Communities Through Healthy Initiatives

HHS announces Affordable Care Act mental health services funding

$50 million from the health care law will expand mental health and substance use disorder services in approximately 200 Community Health Centers nationwide

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that it plans to issue a $50 million funding opportunity announcement to help Community Health Centers establish or expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness, and drug and alcohol problems.  Community Health Centers will be able to use these new funds, made available through the Affordable Care Act, for efforts such as hiring new mental health and substance use disorder professionals, adding mental health and substance use disorder services, and employing team-based models of care.

“Most behavioral health conditions are treatable, yet too many Americans are not able to get needed treatment,” said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.  “These new Affordable Care Act funds will expand the capacity of our network of community health centers to respond to the mental health needs in their communities.”
“These new funds will further the Department’s work to develop integrated primary and behavioral health care services to better meet the needs of people with mental health and substance use conditions,” said Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde.

It is estimated these awards will support behavioral health expansion in approximately 200 existing health centers nationwide.  

Over the past year the Obama administration has taken a number of steps to reduce the barriers that too often prevent people from getting the help they need for behavioral health problems.  
The Affordable Care Act expands mental health and substance use disorder benefits and parity protections for approximately 60 million Americans.

The President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget includes a new $130 million initiative to help teachers recognize signs of mental illness in students and refer them to services, support innovative state-based programs to improve mental health outcomes for young people ages, and train 5,000 more mental health professionals.  For more information please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/factsheet/improving-mental-health-prevention-and-treatment-services.

The Administration has also finalized rules under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Because of these parity protections, many insurance plans will now include coverage for mental health and substance use conditions that is comparable to their medical and surgical coverage.
The Administration also launched www.mentalhealth.gov a new website featuring easy-to-understand information about basic signs of mental health problems, how to talk about mental health, and how to find help.

Keeping it Living Affected Real

LA Corp Explores Thunderclap for HIV Testing & Services

The Living Affected Corporation is widely known for its unique and "out of the box" approaches to crafting messages within its work to address health issues. Also the group has been a leader in Arkansas in using social media as a powerful way to communicate those messages, and always looking at how they could amplify those messages even more. Enter Thunderclap!

 

Last August, Howto.gov hosted a webinar on Thunderclap , a new online tool designed to create action with social media (you can view the webinar here).After reading reviews and other information the staff of Living Affected was inspired to think about how they could use that service to amplify some of their messages about HIV/AIDS.

Especially since the group has been involved in a year long study around the use of social media reaching gay men as well as the launch of its RZN2LV campaign on World AIDS Day. So it was only befitting that those findings be shared on this platform as the group prepares to pursue a "Thunderclap," toward work being developed in 2014.

Creating our Thunderclap

Thunderclap  describes itself as “the first-ever crowd-speaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together.” After assessing the site, the agency will sign up to host a campaign in commemoration of Black HIV Awareness Day 2014. Thunderclap provides each host with a customizable landing page  that features a message (140 characters or less) with a link related to a campaign.

 

The organization will set a supporter goal size (100 people), who then grant permission for the message to be released through their own Twitter, Facebook, and/or Tumblr account(s). If our Thunderclap does not reach its supporter goal, our message is not released.

 

Once the Thunderclap campaign reaches its goal of gaining enough supporters, the message will be broadcast through supporters’ social networks simultaneously at the date and time the host picked. The idea is that the message “rises above the noise” of social networks “creating a wave of attention.”

How can you use it?

To create a successful Thunderclap, four components are recommended :

1. Strong brand assets (visuals, video, etc.)
2. A specific event and time
3. A message that resonates
4. An engaged network

In the meantime, the innovative staff will begin working toward putting together the final touches on its bold message that will be set in motion as a major "Thunderclap," coming to you social media platform in 2014. Get ready to help LA Corp be heard in unison!

Forward Movements and Observations

Six out of ten uninsured African Americans may be eligible for Medicaid, CHIP or tax credits in the Health Insurance Marketplace

95 percent of uninsured African Americans might qualify for lower costs on coverage if all states expanded Medicaid

 

According to a new report released by the Department of Health and Human Services, six out of ten
(4.2 million) uninsured African Americans who may be eligible for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace might qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or tax credits to help with the cost of premiums.

The Living Affected Corporation is serving 6 counties across Arkansas with an emphasis with delivering culturally competent information to the LGBTQ population specifically. The organization's mission of "transforming communities" in regards to marginalized sectors of the populous cites through its research that such communities often prioritize core needs such as "housing, employment food, treatment and education opportunities, before health care issues. This report supports the agencies premise that the affordable health care act could substantially assist with its overarching goal of dealing with health disparities that affect these individuals.

If all states took advantage of new opportunities to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, 95 percent of uninsured African Americans who may be eligible for the Marketplace might qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or tax credits to help with the cost of premiums. The agency applauds Arkansas' unique move to expand its Medicaid program through using federal dollars to pay for private insurance. This novel approach as reported by the states Department of Human services has already allowed more than 50,000 citizens to be covered.

“The health care law is working to address long standing disparities in health care coverage and improve the health of the African American community,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.  “Through the Health Insurance Marketplace, 6.8 million uninsured African Americans have new options for affordable health coverage that covers a range of benefits, including important preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs.“

Today’s report also details uninsurance rates by state and provides several examples of what premiums might look like for African Americans living in major metropolitan areas.  One fifth of uninsured African American citizens and permanent residents live the greater Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Detroit metropolitan areas.  A 27-year-old in Atlanta with an income of $25,000 can pay as little as $105 a month for a bronze plan after applying the tax credit, while a family of four with an income of $50,000 could pay $148 a month for a bronze plan after applying the tax credit.

Nationwide, about 2 million uninsured African Americans may be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
States have new opportunities to expand Medicaid coverage to include Americans with family incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level (generally $31,322 for a family of four in 2013). This expansion includes adults without dependent children living at home, who have not previously been eligible in most states.

An additional 2.2 million eligible uninsured African American adults with family incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level live in states that are not expanding Medicaid. The number of uninsured African Americans who may be eligible for access to health coverage at a lower cost would increase from 60 to 95 percent if all states adopted the Medicaid expansion.

To read today’s report, visit:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/UninsuredAfricanAmericans/ib_UninsuredAfricanAmericans.cfm
To learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace, including to shop and enroll in coverage online, visit HealthCare.gov.

You can also enroll by phone by calling our call center 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1 855-889-4325) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week where help is available in 150 languages, or you can find in-person help from certified assisters in your area by visiting localhelp.healthcare.gov/.

 For local assistance you can also call The Living Affected Corporation at 501-379-8203 to get an appointment to sign up for a health insurance plan through the Marketplace between now and the end of March 2014.

RZN2LV Launches from The Living Affected Corporation!

What's Ur Reason to Live Soars from Little Rock

The Living Affected Corporation launched it's RZN2LV campaign December 1, 2013, during its recognition of World AIDS Day luncheon held on the campus Philander Smith College. The event was highlighted by keynote speaker, Dr. Nathaniel Smith, MD MPH, Arkansas State Health Officer as well winners of the organization's Distinguished Service Awards.

The campaign comprised of a year long study of the impact of social media in creating intervention messaging to gay men concerning decreasing HIV/ AIDS infections in Arkansas, especially among Black gay men, 13-24. Currently its being reported that:

 " More than 34 million people are currently living with HIV around the world -- with more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States.  Another 2.5 million become newly infected each year (50,000 in America alone).  Stigma, poverty and discrimination help to feed the epidemic everywhere."

 

 

"We are excited about this launch," said Kevin Holmes, Outreach Specialist. "All this year we've been working on learning more about how our project could use all of our social media platforms to offer various messaging about "living" a positive life with HIV. Although we respect those who have succumb to this chronic disease, we are now about dealing with life affirming statements."

 

 

Using all of its social media platforms, the organization has also created a second level of the campaign that was used to capture video snippets that has reached from east to west with plans to add other global contributions as they are submitted.  Evolving plans for the campaign will continue into 2014 through prevention funding from the state's health agency.


Year End Giving Initiative 2013

2013 has been an enduring year of challenges and barriers that have been surpassed with an array of accomplishments ranging from presentations at Regional conferences to distributing over 10,000 condoms across the state. However, the work doesn't stop there and must continue to educate and advocate for equality while addressing many social justice issues including housing, education, food, transportation, and employment.

We at Living Affected have been committed in our struggle to be a community leader and trailblazer in creating unique and innovative programming and "out of the box" approaches to prevention interventions.

All of this takes funding support and we encourage you to make your year end tax deductible gift on our secured web portal at www.livingaffected.org or contact us at 501.349.7777 for more information. Can we count on you to do it today!!

Living Affected Announces Distinguished Award Winners

RZNLV Awards Presented during World AIDS Day Luncheon

 

The Living Corporation has

announced the winners of its first RZN2LV Distinguished Service Awards 2013 during its World AIDS Day event held December 1, on the historically black campus of Philander Smith College.

 

The awards were based on the chosen individuals commitment and work involved with creating a positive community image as well as impact.

 

Mr. Lee Brown, Expansion and Development Coordinator stated, " it was our desire to seek out dynamic unsung individuals who we felt deserved our inaugural award and we believe that this group represents a cross section of the LGBTQ community and beyond." (pictured: Justin Case accepting for Renegades for a Cause )

 

And now for the award winners...Congratulations are in order for those nominees of The Living Affected Corporation's RZN2LV Distinguished Service Awards:

1. Mr. Nathaniel Smith, MD MPH
2. Nu Delta Fraternity (organization)
3. Connie "The C...ondom Lady" Roebuck (advocate)
4. Miss K. Frazier (advocate)
5.Ms. Joyce Bryant (clinician- Jefferson Comprehensive Care Service)
6.Ms. Wanda Douglas (clinician- JCSSI)
7.Ms. C. Hampton (professional - Arkansas Department of Health)
8.Renegades for a Cause (fundraising group)
Rising Star Award: Mr. L.L. Woodley, educator, LRSD
Volunteer of the Year: Mr. James McLaughlin
Again, congratulations to these dedicated community warriors whom demonstrate that the power of one can make a difference and be a reason to live!! Don't forget that you can make those year end tax deductible donations at www.livivngaffected.org Do it Today!!

LA Corp on World AIDS Day: Counting to Zero

We at The Living Affected Corporation  believes that World AIDS Day reminds us of all those we’ve lost to the epidemic in the last 30+ year and is a time for us to come together with the goal

While HIV is, here in the U.S., largely a chronic manageable disease we have to acknowledge that, HIV and AIDS is decimating communities abroad. Among the hardest hit by this epidemic in our own country are men who have sex with men, including gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women and communities of color. It is our premise that we can not forget that Black Gay Men 13-24 are still the most disproportionately affected group and more strategies must be sought to penetrate this population with information and resources. Where these communities overlap, the last 30 years can seem to have changed things very little. Living Affected rededicates itself to taking action to combat the rising rates of new infections in all communities, including our own.

It's time for us to join together to fight both HIV itself and the rampant ignorance, intolerance, and apathy surrounding this disease, meanwhile further understanding the social determinants of housing, education, food, treatment and employment in regards to dealing with marginalized communities. We are steadfast in our position that we will continue to be the "drop in" venue for those seeking "one stop" information shopping from HIV 101 to enrollment access to the Affordable Care Act.
of vigorously seeking solutions for decreasing infections and increasing linkages to care pathways while we await a world free of HIV and AIDS.

As we close out 2013, we encourage you to support our work through your year end tax deductible contributions on our web page at www.livingaffected.org or send it by mail to: The Living Affected Corporation, P.O. 46658, Little Rock, AR 72114. Your donations are an invaluable  resource in keeping us as force in addressing health disparities in the LGBTQ community and beyond.


World AIDS Day 2013—Addiction Treatment Supports AIDS Treatment

Cross-posted from National Institute on Drug Abuse - Nora's Blog

 

NIDA displays panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt

December 1 is World AIDS Day. At NIDA, we always stress the principle that drug abuse treatment is AIDS prevention, because of the close links that exist between drug abuse and the spread of HIV.  Injection drug use alone contributed to more than 7% of new infections in 2011, although the population of people who use drugs by any route who are also HIV-positive is much higher. Drug use goes hand-in-hand with various behaviors besides needle-sharing that place individuals at risk for HIV infection, such as unprotected sex.
A new study by researchers in Vancouver, British Columbia shows that, beyond the benefits of drug addiction treatment in HIV prevention, it also supports HIV treatment. Drug users face numerous unique challenges that contribute to poorer outcomes from HIV infection. The Canadian study found that, in the absence of financial and other barriers preventing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens, opioid-dependent individuals engaged in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) were less likely to discontinue ART than those not engaged in MMT and were more likely to achieve suppressed viral loads.

This study shows that investment in drug treatment improves a crucial step in the HIV Care Continuum: helping people stay in care—since HIV treatment is a lifelong process until a cure is found. By treating drug dependence, a person is benefiting not only from a lifestyle free of illicit drug use but from one that is less compromised by HIV because remaining on ART will be more likely.

The benefits of delivering addiction treatment to HIV-positive drug users could also extend to the community, by reducing the likelihood of HIV transmission to others.
We have done much to reduce the spread of HIV, but there are still approximately 50,000 new HIV infections each year, and at the end of 2010, an estimated 872,990 people in the United States were living with an HIV diagnosis. World AIDS Day is an occasion to renew our commitment to reducing the scourge of AIDS and curbing the spread of HIV. The Canadian study is a reminder that drug addiction treatment is an intrinsic part of those goals.
 

- See more at: http://blog.aids.gov/2013/12/world-aids-day-2013-addiction-treatment-supports-aids-treatment.html#sthash.djmSJryY.dpuf