KING COUNTY, WA - At its business meeting on May 27, 1999, the Seattle HIV/AIDS Planning Council adopted a plan to distribute an anticipated $3.2 million to fund effective interventions to specific target populations within King County during 2000 and 2001. The Planning Council is the local decision-making body that determines how particular federal, state and local funds will be awarded for HIV prevention efforts in King County.
For years 2000-2001, the majority (50.51%) of anticipated resources will be targeted for prevention efforts among men who have sex with men (MSM) as the epidemic continues to affect this segment of the King County populace most substantially. There will be increased funding dedicated to stemming the tide of HIV infection among women. Funding for injection drug users will be maintained at previous level to enable continued intervention. Resources for adolescents has been decreased, although increased emphasis has been placed on young MSM (20 years old and above) because the epidemiology indicates that transmission is occurring rapidly among this group. In addition, funds will be prioritized for interventions among those most at-risk for infection in each target population, and funding will support only those interventions that have been determined effective.
Interested parties have a 20-day period (i.e., through 6/21/99) to review the plan and file any grievance regarding the process by which these decisions were made. For more details about this report, the prioritization process, or for information on how to file a formal grievance, call Jim Jorgenson, Planning Council Coordinator at (206) 205-5511.
Public Health - Seattle & King County, will be developing a "request for proposal" (RFP) by which non-profit agencies can apply to utilize these funds during the contract period, which runs from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001. This RFP will be released in early July. For information on how to obtain an application, call Karen Hartfield at (206) 296-4649.
