HIV/AIDS Planning Council launches open process for 2002 care planning

KING COUNTY, WA - Approximately $5 million in federal, state, and local funds will be entrusted to Seattle's HIV/AIDS Planning Council to support HIV/AIDS care services for low-income residents of King County during the 2002 contract year. To determine how to allocate these funds, the Council's Care Planning Committee will hold a series of public meetings, and ultimately will draft an allocation plan for review and approval by the full Council in July.

These meetings will be held from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on April 13, 20 and 27, May 11 and 18, and June 1, 8 and 29, 2001. On June 15, one full-day session will be held to complete the plan. Meetings will be convened at Catholic Community Services (Yesler at 23rd Avenue South, Seattle). Everyone is welcome to attend, observe and provide input into the planning process.

For schedule details, or to provide input, you may contact the Council Coordinator by mail, phone or email:

• Mail: Planning Council, 400 Yesler Way, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98104
• Jesse Chipps, Planning Council Administrator: 206-296-4527
• Planning Council Web site

The planning effort will be based on input from these public meetings as well as information and data gathered through a rigorous needs assessment process undertaken over the last two years. Input has already been gathered from hundreds of persons living with HIV/AIDS as well as HIV care service providers throughout King County.

The HIV/AIDS Planning Council, a 35-member community planning body established in 1993, determines how certain federal, state, and local funds are used for HIV/AIDS prevention and care efforts in King County. The HIV/AIDS Planning Council's Care Planning Committee, which drafts the prioritization plan, includes persons living with HIV/AIDS, health and care services providers, and others from the community.