Atlanta Area Outreach Initiative (An HIV Care and Prevention Initiative)

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The annual Atlanta Area Outreach Initiative (AAOI) is a Fulton County Commission/staff supported, community driven, care and prevention initiative of the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council (Planning Council). The Council serves as the planning body for the Ryan White Part A program wherein Fulton County serves as Grantee. The AAOI seeks to improve individual and community health outcomes, by facilitating access to care through HIV prevention, care and retention. This educational forum focuses on getting individuals who are not in care linked to care as well as providing prevention information. The format of the event consists of general session speakers (County Chairman, Health Commissioner, AAOI Chair, Planning Council Chair) and a Keynote Speaker (2015 Speaker Phill Wilson – National Black AIDS Institute). Attendees have access to HIV testing, screening for STDs, health related exhibits, 18 workshops, linkage coordination, and other activities to inform and help our community defeat the HIV epidemic. A signature item for the Initiative each year is the production of an eighty-nine page (89) resource book which includes current information on HIV/AIDS educational programs, medical care, and support services that are available to person residing in Metropolitan Atlanta. Resource books are given to participants, and providers.