What Will it Take to Break the Cycle of HIV in DC?

Executive Summary

The District of Columbia Administration for HIV Policy and Programs develops a comprehensive plan every three years to improve programs for those in need of HIV-related care in the District. The Comprhensive Plan for 2006-2008 is organized into the following four sections: 1) Assesment of Needs; 2)Continuum of Care; 3)Building on Quality; and 4)Goals, Objectives, Monitor, and Evaluate.

In the first section of this Plan, the District of Columbia demographic and epidemiological profiles are described in detail to illustrate the impact of HIV disease on the city. As related to epidemiological profiles, the most current data availble are presented as HIV disease incidence and prevalence among racial and ethnic groups, gender, age, and modes of HIV transmissioncategories. In addition, a summary of the District's geographical data as linked to HIV disease and social economic indicators are presented. Then, in this section, there is a review of needs assessments that document HIV-related concerns and issues including those of specifric populations as well as those of prevention, care, and support providers.

The second section of the Comprehensive Plan describes the continuum of care for clients living in the District of Columbia. That continuum of care, as encapsulated within a health care system, is depicted through a discussion of: a)the current service delivery structure; b)the coordination of HIV-related services; c)the HIV health care and treatment funding; d)the care system; and e)the facilitation in accessing services.

The vision and mission fo the District of Columbia Department of Health Administration for HIV Policy and Programs, CARE Act services for 2006-2008 is discussed in the third section of this Plan. The journey is titled, "Building on Quality." Quality is the structural foundation by which the vision and mission include providing early access into care and prevention services via counseling and testing, while improving on the continuum of care through new initiatives that focus on special populations in need of outreach, prevention, and care services.

Perhaps the most important component of this document is the fourth section. It provides a road map for "Building on Quality." Within this section, the actual goals, objectives, and the system of monitoring and evaluating are framed within the areas of outreach, service, and coordination as a method of devising a functional plan to identify and address the HIV-related prevention, care, and support needs of persons living in the District of Columbia.

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