Office of Community Engagement

DESCRIPTIONPARTNERSCOMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARDSEDUCATIONSERVICES

Office of Community Engagement (OCE)

The CFAR OCE partners and works closely with community-based organizations to establish and grow strong relationships based on equity, trust, and accountability. Through these partnerships, the OCE works to translate research findings in to direct applications, to create mutual understandings of research, amplify community voices in research decision-making, and to support community-driven work around HIV/AIDS.

Community members interested in learning more about our work are encouraged to visit the Community Collaboration Board, Education, and Resources tab, or contact Alicia Diggs.

The OCE is part of the UNC CFAR Administrative Core.

Community Partners

Triangle Empowerment Center (TEC)

Triangle Empowerment Center is a community-based organization that focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and community building within minority populations.

El Pueblo

El Pueblo is a Latino community-based organization that trains Latino youth to be sexual health advocates and peer educators.

Refugee Health Coalition (RHC)

Refugee Health Coalition is an alliance of approximately 150 community stakeholders and refugee community members who actively respond to and address the health needs of Chapel Hill’s growing ehtno-racial minority refugee community.

Health Departments

The Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties Health Departments partner with the OCE to develop creative responses to the health needs of minority and low-resource communities, and host community events and working groups.

CAARE, Inc.

CAARE is a grassroots community organization that promotes a holistic and community approach to health by providing a wide variety of services that help treat not only the medical roots of chronic diseases, but also the social and human factors that contribute to health deficits.

TROSA

TROSA is a comprehensive residential, vocational training, education, peer counseling and continuing care substance abuse program.

Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC)

The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service is a non-profit organization that works to combat poverty, hunger and homelessness, and provide shelter, food, direct services, advocacy and information to people in need.

North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC)

The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition is NC’s only harm reduction program in the State, and engages in grassroots community organizing, resource development, coalition building and direct services for those made vulnerable by drug use, sex work, overdose, immigration status, gender, STIs and HIV.

Carolinas Care

Carolinas CARE Partnership is one of the leadings HIV/AIDS service organizations in the Charlotte area, providing housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, HIV counseling, testing and prevention services, and linkage to care

North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN)

North Carolina AIDS Action Network improves the lives of people living with HIV and affected communities through outreach and public education, policy advocacy, and community-building to increase visibility and mutual support of people living with HIV throughout our state.

Partnership for a Healthy Durham

The Partnership for a Healthy Durham is a coalition of local organizations and community members with the goal of collaboratively improving the health and well-being of Durham’s residents. The Partnership has four committees that each focus on a Durham County health priority, including the HIV/AIDS Working Group. There are currently more than 500 active members in the Partnership.

Adam and Eve

Adam & Eve is a conglomerate company that sells adult products, and funds non-profit organizations that address issues such as disease control and education in developing countries. Adam and Eve is the largest mail-order distributor of condoms in the United States. Partnership with Adam & Eve increases access to more affordable education resources and safer sex materials.

HBCU Partners

North Carolina Central University (NCCU)

Click here for more information about North Carolina Central University.

North Carolina A&T State University

Click here for more information about North Carolina A&T State University.

Winston Salem State University (WSSU)

Click here for more information about Winston Salem State University.

UNC Partners

GlobeMed

GlobeMed is a student organization that focuses on global health disparities, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

Carolina Health Education Counselors of Sexuality

Carolina Health Education Counselors of Sexuality is a program established by UNC Campus Health that provides sexual education for the entire UNC campus.

Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)

The Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) is an LGBTQ student organization that works to connect, inform, and educate the local UNC Community about issues relevant to people in LGBTQ communities.

UNC APPLES

Since 1990, APPLES has strengthened civic engagement by bringing together students, faculty and communities in sustained and mutually beneficial partnerships. A student-led program, APPLES transforms educational experiences by connecting academic learning and public service.

UNC CFAR Community Collaboration Board

Communicative, outreach and advisory relationships are strong and defining features of the UNC CFAR Community Collaboration Board (previously Community Advisory Board). Community stakeholder input and their investment in the worth, conduct and products of the UNC CFAR research agenda are transformative in that there will be apparent, able and engaged community voices guiding the research process. The UNC CFAR Community Collaboration Board is managed and coordinated by the OCE.

Comprised of 45 local stakeholders, the UNC CFAR Community Collaboration Board (CCB) is critical to the success of the CFAR endeavors and is an independent source of guidance and feedback for the Principal Investigator, the program leadership and researchers. In order to provide community-based guidance and input into the conduct, research agenda and outcomes of the UNC CFAR, the CCB meets 3-4 times per year with communications in-between meetings.

Anyone interested in joining the UNC CFAR Community Collaboration Board should contact Alicia Diggs.

UNC CFAR CCB membership includes representatives from the following organizations:

· Alliance of AIDS Services

· AIDS Community Residence Association

· FHI 360

· RTI

· Wake County Human Services

· NC Division of Health Service Regulation

· North Carolina A&T University (HBCU)

· NC Central University (HBCU)

· Wellness & Education Community Action Health Network

· Central Carolina Health Network

· UNC Counseling and Wellness Services

· Fayetteville State University (HBCU)

· Durham County Health Department

· Chatham County Public Health Department

· Piedmont HIV Health Care Consortium

· TROSA

· North Carolina AIDS Action Network

· Department of Defense’s Army Substance Abuse Program

· Chatham Social Health Council

· Carolina-Shaw Partnership for the Elimination of Health Disparities

· NC Division of Public Health

· UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases

National CFAR CAB Coalition

The OCE serves in the National CFAR CAB Coalition, which represents CFAR Community Advisory Boards as a national group of key stakeholders in HIV research and provides resources and guidance to CFARs on community engagement. The NCCC serves as a resource for the creation, development and sustainability of CFAR Community Advisory Boards.
With 60+ members from 16 CFARs across the country, the National CFAR CAB Coalition is a lively and active body that pursues its mission through four primary working groups: Mission & Operations; Community Engagement; Mentorship and CAB Development; and SBSRN.

Goals of the NCCC

1. Share community ideas and concerns at national CFAR meetings 2. Encourage the establishment and maintenance of active CABs at all CFARs 3. Provide community centered feedback and consultation regarding future Cross CFAR Initiatives 4. Provide expertise on community ideas to RFA development of CFAR grants (i.e. Developmental Awards, New Investigator Awards, etc) 5. Centralize services and resources for individual CFAR CABs

Milestones

Hosted three successful Cross-CFAR national meetings with representation from 65 delegates of 17 existing CFAR CABs Conducted education, training and assessments of 6 CFAR CABs Two community derived presentations at National CFAR SBSRN meetings (2013, 2014) Developed CFAR CAB Mentoring Toolkit Provided protocol review training for 15 CFAR CABs (2011)

Projects

Community Response to Addressing Disparities in HIV Research Webinar Technical assistance to CABs integrated across CTU networks Development of CAB Effectiveness Tool Development of NCCC website Host annual National CFAR CAB Meeting at University of Washington in line with CFAR Director’s Meeting

If you are a member of a CFAR Community Advisory Board and interested in joining the National CFAR CAB Coalition, please contact Alicia Diggs.

HIV/AIDS Course

The widely-celebrated “campus-wide HIV/AIDS Course” at UNC offers undergraduate, graduate, continuing studies, and professional student participants a multi-disciplinary perspective on HIV/AIDS — its etiology, immunology, epidemiology and impact on individuals and society. The various mediums the HIV/AIDS course is offered has afforded the opportunity to educate a larger number of individuals about the basis of HIV transmission, risk factors, safety, and Global Statistics. Enrollment has nearly doubled since the CFAR’s coordination of the course, from 245students to 460 students.
The filled-to-capacity course enjoys support from the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP), and from the Deans of all Five Health Affairs Schools at UNC. The reach of the HIV/AIDS Course continues to expand via open source videos of the guest lecturers online through media websites such as iTunes University and Reddit.com. The UNC HIV/AIDS Course has been listed in the “Top Downloads” and the “Top Collections” for iTunes University.
Recordings of the classes are used by local colleges and universities, agencies, and community-based organizations. As we move through the semester, videos of each class will be posted

Course Description

This course offers participants a multidisciplinary perspective on HIV/AIDS — its etiology, immunology, epidemiology and impact on individuals and society. How HIV/AIDS is framed by a society determines not only how affected persons are treated but also the degree to which the rights of the individual are upheld.

Goals

To understand the complexity and multi-dimensionality of the evolving phenomenon known as HIV/AIDS as a paradigm for the relationship between disease, society and public policy.

Course Objectives

Comprehend HIV/AIDS by describing its etiology, epidemiology, prevention, clinical manifestations and treatments. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of HIV/AIDS and of how society has framed this disease, its historical background, and the social, legal, political and ethical issues associated with it. Have an awareness of the social and psychological implications of HIV/AIDS for people living with HIV and their families, communities and support systems. Understand the implications of epidemic HIV/AIDS for society, by describing infection control measures, groups at greatest risk, contact tracing, education, economics, community resources, the stress of care-giving and the prospects for the future.

World AIDS Day Symposium

World AIDS Day, started in 1988, is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, increase awareness, combat stigma, and improve education. Taking place around World AIDS Day, December 1st, the World AIDS Day Symposium features presentations by UNC faculty members, expert research and medical professionals, and panel discussions, and draws over 200 attendees, ranging from research professionals and clinicians to case managers and grassroots advocates.

To request a service from the OCE, please contact Alicia Diggs.

Services provided by the OCE:

HIV Test counseling
Educational Opportunities, including HIV 101, capacity building, curriculum and content adaptation, focus group facilitation, program planning)
CDC EBI Training Facilitation (Parents Matter, Voices/Voces, SISTA)
Coordination and planning for HIV/AIDS awareness events
Assessment of Needs, Assets, and Capacity for Health Education
Plan, implement, conduct evaluation and research related to health education
Coordinate provision of referral resources
Communicate and advocate for health and health education