The Ohio HIV/AIDS Strategy Assessing the Ohio Landscape Through the Eyes of Ohioans Living with HIV/AIDS Tyler Andrew TerMeer, MS Ohio AIDS Coalition Director

Meeting Purpose In the winter of 2011 the Ohio AIDS Coalition embarked on a tour of Ohio communities to assess the perspective of the current state of the epidemic through the eyes of the Ohioan living with HIV/AIDS. OAC, now a division of the AIDS Resource Center Ohio, saw the critical need to sit down with Ohio consumers and discuss their thoughts on the current needs, gaps in service and the role of OAC on the road ahead.

The Community Breakdown OAC visited 7 regions including Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Mansfield, and Toledo between November 2011 and July 2012 reaching 90 participants across the state. Each community conversation provided 2 hours for Ohioans living with HIV to gather around the table and have a direct dialogue with the Director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition. These conversations have provided the foundation for this report.

City Profiles The team at OAC has compiled notes from each of these conversations and created a city specific profile of each of these meetings that provides a glimpse of the voices of each of region. Upon completion of these city profiles, 8 themes emerged across the state of Ohio.

Theme 1 The need for programs and networking opportunities that address isolation and stigma

Theme 2 The need for community awareness and programs that address the navigation of HIV in rural communities

Theme 3 The need for enhanced communication and transparency at all levels

Theme 4 The need for an increased understanding of the Standard of Care at both the consumer and provider level

Theme 5 The need for increased opportunities for consumer leadership development and meaningful involvement in community planning where all voices are equally valued

Theme 6 The need for development and implementation of programs and services that will facilitate successful systems navigation in a shifting environment

Theme 7 The need for the development and implementation of programs and services that will facilitate re-entry to education and the workforce

Theme 8 The need for OAC’s continued role in Advocacy and Public Policy throughout Ohio communities

OAC’s Commitment Moving Forward Leading in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Tyler Andrew TerMeer, MS Director of Ohio AIDS Coalition A Division of ARC Ohio Contact Information