Session A1
HIV and The Law: Employment Law Update
Mitchell Katine, Attorney at Law; Williams, Birnberg & Andersen, L.L.P.
Tuesday, April 17, 2001, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
This program will present updated information regarding HIV and employment issues. Recent case law involving "when HIV constitutes a disability under state and federal law" will be presented and discussed. The program will also address disclosure concerns and the right to confidentiality. Finally, the program will discuss reasonable accommodation requests, direct threat defense, and return-to-work issues.
Mitchell Katine
Mitchell Katine is a partner with the Houston law firm of Williams, Birnberg & Andersen, L.L.P. He represents all types of clients in matters dealing with employment, real estate, insurance, and disability law, especially HIV and AIDS. Mitchell teaches HIV and The Law at South Texas College of Law. Mitchell is local counsel for John Lawrence and Tyrone Garner in the case currently on appeal challenging the constitutionally of the Texas Homosexual Conduct statute. He previously served for six years as a Commissioner on the Texas Real Estate Commission. Mitchell helped create a gay and lesbian legal organization for Houston attorneys, the Texas Association of Lesbian and Gay Elected and Appointed Officials, and the State Bar of Texas section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification issues (the first such section in the United States).
Session A2
HIV and The Law: Insurance Law Update
Mitchell Katine, Attorney at Law;Williams, Birnberg & Andersen, L.L.P.
Tuesday, April 17, 2001, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
This program will present updated HIV legal information related to insurance. There are many insurance issues of importance to people with HIV. This program will address insurance issues such as the portability act, preexisting condition exclusions, COBRA, life and disability insurance, the risk pool, and insurance implications associated with returning to work after a disability leave of absence. Insurance is vital to people with HIV, but they must know about the legal issues in order to protect their rights.
Mitchell Katine
Mitchell Katine is a partner with the Houston law firm of Williams, Birnberg & Andersen, L.L.P. He represents all types of clients in matters dealing with employment, real estate, insurance, and disability law, especially HIV and AIDS. Mitchell teaches HIV and The Law at South Texas College of Law. Mitchell is local counsel for John Lawrence and Tyrone Garner in the case currently on appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Texas Homosexual Conduct statute. He previously served for six years as a Commissioner on the Texas Real Estate Commission. Mitchell helped create a gay and lesbian legal organization for Houston attorneys, the Texas Association of Lesbian and Gay Elected and Appointed Officials, and the State Bar of Texas section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification issues (the first such section in the United States).
Session A3
Peer Counseling in the Criminal Justice System
Lizabeth Kelley, Curriculum Research and Development Manager, TDH, Training and Public Education Branch
Todd Logan, L.M.S.W., Training Specialist, TDH, Training and Public Education Branch
Tuesday, April 17, 2001, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Texas Ballroom 1
Abstract
In the summer of 2000, Texas Department of Health Training and Public Education Branch was approached by AIDS Foundation Houston (AFH), who sought a collaboration to deliver training to incarcerated individuals in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. AFH had already begun a very successful Peer Education Training project in which incarcerated individuals were trained in basic HIV/AIDS 101 knowledge and information delivery skills. As many of these HIV/AIDS trainers were being approached by individuals concerned about their own (or a close friend or family member's) risks for HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis C, peer counseling seemed the logical next step. This presentation will chart the evolution of this project, as outlined above, from conceptualization to delivery of pilot and discussion of what the future holds.
Lizabeth Kelley
Lizabeth Kelley has been employed with the Training and Public Education Branch of the HIV and STD Health Resources Division since 1995. As an HIV/STD training specialist and Curricula Research and Development Manager, she has written, developed, and modified training curricula and materials for HIV prevention counselors, trainers, and supervisors, and presented workshops throughout the Texas, adapting to suit a variety of program needs. She has served as a training consultant for SEATEC and for CHT and initiated the position of Cross Training Coordinator for the State of Indiana, where she developed and presented to public health service providers a variety of workshops on HIV/AIDS, STD, tuberculosis, and alcohol and other drug abuse intervention. Since 1985, she has worked in the field of reproductive health care--as clinic nurse, disease intervention specialist, and as an STD screening manager. Her training style is based on years as a nursery school teacher, where 2-, 3-, and 4-year olds taught her wonderful lessons in respect, creativity, exploration, acceptance, identity, choice, autonomy, interdependence, and love.
Todd Logan
Todd Logan: When asked at 12 years old, 'what would you like to be when you grow up?' Todd replied, "a teacher or a social worker." Beginning his social work career with 15 years in public welfare, Todd held such positions as Supervisor of the East Austin welfare office, serving a client base of 7,000 and a staff of 50. This experience provided a unique appreciation of the needs and strengths of vulnerable populations. Todd entered the field of HIV prevention in 1985 working with many community-based organizations, including Out Youth, as a Peer Group Facilitator. Following a Master's degree in Social Work in 1993 from UT, Austin, Todd gained important counseling experience, providing long-term therapy for couples and individuals with HIV and Brief Therapy for low-income adolescents and families in crisis. Coming from a long line of teachers, Todd started training in 1991 and has taught large groups and small, with classes on management skills, communication, team-building, and group problem-solving. Presently, Todd is a Trainer with the Texas Department of Health, HIV and STD Prevention, teaching such classes as PCPE, Cultural Competency, and Hepatitis C Prevention Counseling.
Session A4
What Clients Should Know About Confidential HIV Reporting by Name
Sharon A. King, M.A., Manager, TDH, HIV/STD Epidemiologic Monitoring Branch
Doug Hamaker, HIV/STD Surveillance Coordinator, TDH, HIV/STD Surveillance Branch
Ann Robbins, Ph.D., Manager, TDH, HIV/STD Research and Program Evaluation Branch
Wednesday, April 18, 2001, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
On January 1, 1999 when TDH began HIV infection reporting by name, nearly 49,000 Texas residents had been reported with AIDS. The 1999 change affected reporting of HIV infections for people age 13 or older; the presentation focuses on this age group. TDH rejected retroactive reporting; all HIV cases included in this analysis had qualifying test dates on or after January 1, 1999. HIV infection data will be more useful for guiding prevention than AIDS data were. Nearly as many HIV cases as AIDS cases were reported in the first year. HIV cases were younger than AIDS cases. AIDS cases reported in 1999 show whites constitute 38 percent of all cases; for similarly reported HIV cases, the white percentage is less than 33 percent. A comparable difference is observed among Hispanics. African Americans make up around 37 percent of all AIDS cases, but they make up 47 percent of all adult and adolescent HIV cases. A greater proportion of the HIV cases are women compared to AIDS cases. Men are still disproportionately affected compared to their number in the Texas population. The imbalance between men and women is less pronounced in the African American population. HIV cases show a lesser proportion of the total HIV infections transmitted through male-to-male sex than AIDS cases. Heterosexual transmission is more prominent in HIV (19%) than AIDS cases (14%). Cases are predominantly from metropolitan areas. The pattern that emerges from these comparisons points to an HIV reporting system that appears to be capturing information that is more recent than information obtained from AIDS reporting. 121,904 publicly funded HIV tests were done in 1999, the first year of HIV reporting by name, a 6.7 percent drop from the number of tests done in 1998. Testing numbers have been dropping steadily since the peak in 1995; when trends are taken into account, HIV reporting by name did not appear to keep people from getting tested. Nor did it cause an increase in anonymous HIV testing. In line with previous trends, the percentage of anonymous tests continued to shrink in 1999. The racial/ethnic profile of those testing before and after named reporting is similar. There was no increase in minority anonymous testing. The number of HIV tests among men who have sex with men increased by 7 percent from 1998 to 1999. Tests among heterosexuals declined by 5 percent, but given the overall 7 percent drop in tests, heterosexuals were unlikely to have been deterred from testing. The most dramatic declines in heterosexual test numbers occurred earlier, well before HIV reporting by name. The distribution of tests in risk groups was similar from 1998 to 1999. Stable percentages of risk groups chose anonymous testing in both years. For every 100 confidential HIV tests done there were 1.3 positives; for every 100 anonymous tests, 2.6 positives. Overall, for every 100 HIV tests done in 1999, there were 1.5 positives -- the same rate as found in 1998, which suggests that reporting by name did not deter positives from seeking HIV testing.
Sharon A. King, M.A.
Sharon A. King has worked for TDH since 1987, first as a Statistician in Vital Statistics, then as a Statistician and Epidemiologist in the Trauma Registry, and since 1991, as an Epidemiologist with the Bureau of HIV and STD Prevention. Since 1994 she has managed either the Bureau's HIV/STD Epidemiology and Evaluation Branch or, as of 1997, the HIV/STD Epidemiologic Monitoring Branch. Sharon's prior experience also included three years as an Assistant Research Scientist with the Primate Ethology Laboratory at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, Texas, where she worked on studies of primate behavior in relation to risk for cardiovascular disease. She spent several years as a teaching associate, research assistant, or teaching assistant with The University of Texas at Austin and at San Antonio while she was doing doctoral work in British Victorian and Edwardian social and economic history. Ms. King is ABD (All But Dissertation) in modern European history; she earned a master's degree in history, and a bachelor's degree with honors in social psychology.
Doug Hamaker
Doug Hamaker is the reporting manager for the HIV/STD Surveillance Program at the Texas Department of Health. Previous to joining the HIV Surveillance Program in 1988, he was a disease intervention specialist for the STD Program at the Victoria City/County Health Department. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in 1983.
Ann Robbins, Ph.D.
Ann S. Robbins holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from The University of Texas, and has been working in TDH Bureau of HIV and STD Prevention since late 1994. In her capacity as the manager of the Research and Program Evaluation Branch, Dr. Robbins is responsible for oversight of non-morbidity data systems and evaluation of HIV/STD prevention and HIV services programs. Prior to her work with TDH, Dr. Robbins served as Director of Research for Quantum Solutions, working with more than 100 hospitals to create efficient and effective plans for evaluation of their business strategies and clinical programs. While at Quantum, Dr. Robbins also completed a nation-wide benchmark collection of patient and hospital employee satisfaction survey data.
Session A5
BDSM Safety 101: Bringing the Dungeon out of the Closet
L. A. Karma Yoakem, M.S., The Gulf Coast Center, HIV Division
Wednesday, April 18, 2001, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
Whips, chains, spanking, bondage...You've heard of these, but what is really involved? What do you do if a client asks whether it is safe to share his flogger? This presentation addresses a variety of practices within the S/M community, potential risks for disease transmission, and disease prevention techniques. Designed as an introductory course for anyone with questions concerning this sensitive topic, participants will learn some basics about the culture and how to address safety issues with clients in an informed and professional manner.
L. A. Karma Yoakem, M.S.
After earning a graduate degree in clinical psychology, Karma Yoakem has been providing training in the fields of psychology, health, domestic violence, and substance abuse for the past 15 years. She has presented seminars on BDSM safety for several private organizations and clubs in Texas. Her knowledge has been gained through years of study and co-facilitating educational seminars with some of the nation's leaders in the BDSM community. Her knowledge in the topic of BDSM has been useful in helping clients in pursuing their fantasies while reducing the risk of communicable disease transmission. Karma is currently employed as an HIV Case Manager and Outreach Specialist for The Gulf Coast Center in Galveston, Texas.
Session A6
Youth Speak Out Initiative: Assessing the Needs of GLBTQ Youth
Jesús A. Géliga, M.S.H.P., HIV Prevention and Education Manager, Resource Center of Dallas
Bess Leggett, Youth Programs Coordinator, Resource Center of Dallas
Wednesday, April 18, 2001, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
In 1997 the Resource Center of Dallas received funding from the Texas Department of Health to support HIV prevention and education interventions targeting gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/questioning (GLBTQ) youth. 10% Youth was created to provide services to young adults 14-22 years of age. Currently, 10% Youth provides a diverse array of programs including HIV/STD education, HIV/STD testing, social support groups, skills-building seminars, and peer advocacy. In 1999 the Center recognized the necessity to better understand the needs of GLBTQ youth in the Dallas Metroplex. A comprehensive, youth-driven assessment was developed using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Preliminary findings suggest that participating GLBTQ youth do not consider HIV and other STDs threats and that they rely on modern technology (such as the Internet) to obtain most of their health-related information. This presentation will provide an overview of findings from the comprehensive needs assessment. Emphasis will be placed on barriers (such as temporary homelessness) to access HIV/STD services. Furthermore, participants will be able to identify effective methods of data collection targeting this population. Finally, presenters will demonstrate how to use modern technology to develop effective and culturally proficient HIV/STD prevention interventions. This presentation is a hands-on workshop where group participation is encouraged, and a written summary will be provided.
Jesús A.Géliga, M.S.H.P.
Jesús A. Géliga is the HIV prevention and Education Manager at the Resource Center of Dallas. He has served as the coordinator for the Intensive Behavior Counseling Project funded by the Texas Department of Health. In 1999, he was awarded a Price Fellowship, which allowed him to work for a month at the CDC assessing Latino gay men participation in the HIV prevention planning process. In August 2000, he co-author a paper published on AIDS Education and Prevention addressing gay/ ethnic identity issues of MSM of color.
Bess Leggett
Bess Leggett has been on staff at the Resource Center of Dallas since 1996. She was the creator of the 10% Youth program. She has been an active voice of the GLBTQ youth in Dallas. She currently coordinates the Youth Programs at the Center and manages a group of volunteer peer educators. Her participation was pivotal in the design and implementation of the Speak Out Youth Initiative.
Session A7
Latino MSM and HIV Prevention: Cultural Barriers to Behavior Change
Jesús A. Géliga, M.S.H.P., HIV Prevention and Education Manager, Resource Center of Dallas
Franke Cortez, Latino Programs Coordinator, Resource Center of Dallas
Thursday, April 19, 2001, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
Recent reports from the CDC (MMWR 2000) suggest that among men who have sex with men (MSM), Latinos and African Americans account for an increasing proportion of AIDS cases in the United States. Overall, the proportion of Latino MSM with AIDS increased from 12 percent in 1989 to 18 percent in 1998. Recent studies suggest that ethnicity and gay identity are correlates of HIV risk-taking behaviors. Ethnicity or ethnic identity is an important factor determining a person's attitudes and beliefs about health and health-related behaviors. HIV Prevention efforts have not been totally successful in reducing risk among Latino MSM. In many cases developed programs have not been able to address the culturally specific needs of this population. This presentation will provide an overview on HIV risk-taking trends among Latino MSM. The presenters will address issues such as substance use, history of STD's, access to health care, and attitudes toward condom use of Latino MSM. In addition, an in-depth review of specific cultural barriers will be provided. Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to discuss effective ways to reduce these barriers and develop HIV/STD prevention interventions for this population. Participants will be provided with a written summary of the presentation, including references and strategies for program design.
Jesús A.Géliga, M.S.H.P.
Jesús A. Géliga is the HIV Prevention and Education Manager at the Resource Center of Dallas. He has served as the coordinator for the Intensive Behavior Counseling Project funded by TDH. In 1999, he was awarded a Price Fellowship, which allowed him to work for a month at the CDC assessing Latino gay men participation in the HIV prevention planning process. In August 2000, he co-authored a paper published on AIDS education and prevention addressing gay/ethnic identity issues of MSM of color.
Franke Cortez
Franke Cortez has been on staff at the Resource Center of Dallas since 1995, and is the Latino Programs Coordinator. These programs provide culturally proficient HIV prevention services, including printed information, HIV/STD testing, skill-building workshops, and social support to Latino MSM in the Dallas Metroplex. During the past year, Franke developed an outreach program to increase access to HIV-related services for newly diagnosed Latino MSM.
Sessions A8 and A9
Black Sheep of the Family: Working with Homeless Youth
Jennifer Gwaltney, B.A., HIV Prevention Specialist/Trainer, AIDS Services of Austin
Brad Lindgren, Substance Abuse/Homeless Coordinator
Thursday, April 19, 2001, Part I 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Part II 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Texas Ballroom I
Abstract
This workshop will discuss ways to build rapport and implement street and community outreach targeting high risk, homeless youth. AIDS Services of Austin prevention team has implemented this successful outreach program for over three years. This presentation will describe techniques, methodologies, and program ideas so that this program can be emulated in other areas. This session will describe how to implement a successful HIV prevention program targeting adolescent males and females (13-19 years of age). Many of these homeless youth come from situations where sexual, verbal, and physical abuse were prevalent, and are now congregating in common areas where other youth from similar backgrounds assemble. These youth are transient and are not in school or working. Many of these youth have a long history of drug/alcohol use and/or incarceration. Additionally, many gave a history of mental illness exacerbated by long-term drug use, or mental disorders due to physical or biological factors. Basic information will be provided on how to begin an outreach program to similar populations. Ways to build rapport and maintain relationships with the targeted population will be discussed. Specific interventions, such as self esteem building, assertiveness training, safer sex negotiation, safer substance use negotiation, and referral information will be emphasized. This program will help individuals working with youth with a history of homelessness and/or substance use. It will assist youth workers and outreach workers in: identifying adolescent health resources within their community; successful strategies in building rapport and maintaining relationships with hard to reach youth populations; provide client centered counseling and education, emphasizing respect and unconditional positive regard, in a non-judgmental manner; and understanding the language, drug user norms, and cultural mores of this population.
Jennifer Gwaltney, B.A.
Jennifer Gwaltney was graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She currently is working on her master's degree in health education at The University of Texas at Austin. She has been working in the field of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS since 1991 in various capacities: case management, counseling and testing, and education/outreach. Jennifer has worked at AIDS Services of Austin for almost two years as program specialist, and she has had the opportunity to train other individuals and agencies to implement HIV outreach programs.
Brad Lindgren
Brad Lindgren has been working with substance users and the homeless for over three years. He initiated AIDS Services of Austin's homeless youth outreach program in a volunteer capacity. He has been on staff at AIDS Services of Austin for over one year, and he has expanded the homeless outreach to different areas of Austin/Travis County. Brad currently is working on his L.C.D.C.
Conference Home