a d vo c a c y le a d in g lin e s - Cicatelli Associates Inc.

People Living With AIDS/HIVLeadership Training InstituteA Program of Cicatelli Associates, Inc.505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1601New York, NY 10018212 594 7741 fax 212 629 3321thecircleFall/Winter 2008, N° 25leading lines advocacy outreach communityleading linesSURVIVING AND THRIVING!by John HatchettWelcome to another issue ofThe Circle. Along witheconomic crises and the finalphase of a hugely important nationalelection, it’s been a very busy time forthe LTI program since our last issue,and there’s a lot of information wewant to share with our community.First, we’re very excited to announcethe LTI’s first-ever promotional video!It’s only 3 minutes long, but itintroduces people to the LTI andincludes images of LTI staff, CABmembers and some graduates. Executiveproducer for the video was our ownCAB member Gina Healy from New YorkCity; videographer Stephen Dirkes andphotographer Tal Shpantzer coproducedand donated their time andtalent (plus a lot of equipment!) to theproject. The result can be viewed onthe Emmy-award-winning web sitescribemedia.org’s Reporting AIDS page(www.scribemedia.org/shows/reportingaids),as well as on the LTI web page(www.cicatelli.org/lti). Many thanks toGina, Tal and Stephen!Another exciting development thissummer was the design and delivery ofthe LTI’s first-ever leadership workshopfor HIV+ young people. Nineteen youngadults, ages 17-25, took part in a 3-daytraining in August. They came togetherfrom all areas of the state to participatein the first of a 3-workshop series, todiscuss the PWHA self-empowermentmovement, HIV health care & selfmanagementskills, transitioning from(continued on page 3)advocacyRyan White Part BHIV Care Network Initiativeby Humberto Cruz, AIDS Institute Director andGeorgette Beal, Director Ryan White Care Network InitiativeWhat are RW HIV Care Networks and what purpose do they serve?Ryan White HIV Care Networks were established in New York State in 1991 toimprove the availability and organization of health care and support services forindividuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. The Networks are local associationsof health care providers, community-based organizations, community leaders, andpersons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The mission of the Ryan White Part BHIV Care Networks is to promote a coordinated community response thatresults in improved access to care and supportive services for those infectedwith HIV/AIDS. The vision of the Networks is a comprehensive continuum of highquality services that is responsive to the needs of people infected with HIV/AIDS.Although amendments to the CARE Act in 1996 eliminated the requirement thatstates establish a system of consortia, New York State Department of Health AIDSInstitute continues to support the concept and funding of Care Networksthroughout the state. It recognizes the importance of the role of localities inidentifying and addressing regional needs and the value of the Networks as amechanism for community input and a voice for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.Why were the Networks changed?The AIDS Institute contracts with Lead Agencies across the state to provideprogrammatic, administrative and fiscal oversight of Networks. These Lead Agencies(continued on page 2)LTI Community Advisory BoardHank Albrecht Michelle Lopez*Lynn Atwood Jesus MaldonadoVictor Benadava Victor MartinezRobin Bronner Russelle Miller-HillJuanita Carter-Fuller Kim Nichols*Gerald DeYounge Mark NowakDenise Drayton Jairo Pedraza*Billy FieldsSallie Perryman*Gina HealyGlen PhillipLuis Lespier*charter memberAIDS Institute StaffDan TietzProgram StaffJohn Hatchett DirectorPetra Berrios Deputy DirectorGregory Cruz TrainerAanchal Dhar Program CoordinatorThe PWA LTI is a program of Cicatelli Associates Inc., supported by a unique collaboration between theNew York City Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute.This newsletter was supported by Grants Nos. H89HA00015 18 and X07HA00025 18 from the U.S. HealthResources Services Administration (HRSA). These grants are funded through Part A and Part B of the RyanWhite Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 through the New York State Department of Health, AIDSInstitute. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Cicatelli Associates Inc. and do not necessarilyrepresent the official views of the funders.credits

advocacyRYAN WHITE PART B(continued from front)provide guidance to committees inaccomplishing work plan goals andobjectives and hire individuals to staffthe Networks and ensure theiroperation. Lead agency contracts werelast re-solicited in 1995. The need tore-solicit the Network Initiativepresented an opportunity to assessthe impact and effectiveness of theNetworks and to build upon theirstrengths and successes. A Request forFunding Applications (RFA) wasfinally developed and issued in August2007. Through this solicitation, thenumber of Networks was changed from16 to 11 and their role andresponsibilities refined to betterrespond to the changing epidemic,address organizational structure,assure more geographic distribution,provide better clarification on thepurpose of the Networks and addressfunding issues and limitations. Elevennew lead agency contracts wereawarded through this competitiveprocess.How do they operate?The Network structure and operationincludes a Lead Agency, NetworkCoordinator, Program Assistant andNetwork membership. Networkactivities are guided by an ExecutiveCommittee and are carried out bystanding and ad-hoc committees thatfocus on specific local concerns.Participation and guidance providedby PLWH/A is an integral componentof the Networks. Each Network isrequired to have four standingcommittees, including an ExecutiveCommittee, Consumer InvolvementCommittee, Care CoordinationCommittee, and PolicyAdvisory/Education Committee.The program objectives of theNetworks are to:•Ensure representation on theNetwork by entities/individuals whoare representative of the fullcomplement of regional stakeholders.•Identify populations andsubpopulations of individuals andfamilies with HIV disease,particularly those experiencingdisparities in access and services andthose who reside in underservedcommunities.•Develop and implement strategies toassess service needs of people livingwith HIV disease and identifybarriers to care and gaps in services,propose solutions and, wherepossible, implement strategies tocoordinate community resources andidentify new resources.•Develop and implement mechanismsto identify emerging issues in theregion affecting services for peopleliving with HIV disease and develop acommunity response.•Develop a service plan describingpopulations living with HIV/AIDS inthe region (particularly thoseexperiencing disparities in access orservices and who reside inunderserved communities), regionalservice needs, gaps and emergingissues. The service plan must addressthe needs of families with HIV/AIDSand be updated for inclusion in theStatewide Coordinated Statement ofNeed (SCSN).•Promote consumer involvement byincreasing and retaining theproportion of consumers activelyparticipating in the Network for thepurposes of informing HIV/AIDSpolicy, sharing realities of living withHIV/AIDS, identifying gaps inservices and effecting change.•Develop, promote and implementHIV/AIDS educational programs andtrainings and/or refer providers andconsumers to trainings that result inan improved understanding of theHIV/AIDS service delivery systemand advances in care and treatment;inform stakeholders (government andcommunity, state, federal and local)of regional needs and stimulate2action to address needs.•Serve as a clearinghouse for updatedregional HIV/AIDS informationincluding information on resourcesthat are available, local and stateepidemiologic data and otherpertinent information. Facilitate flowof information to service providersand community members regardinglocal, state, and federal initiatives,resources and activities targeted tothe HIV/AIDS community.•Provide input to the Ryan WhiteStatewide Coordinated Statement ofNeed (SCSN) and participate in SCSNactivities.•Communicate and collaborate withthe AIDS Institute on a regular basisand participate in SASDC to identifyemerging needs and offer policyrecommendations.Is consumer involvement supported?Consumer involvement in theNetworks is vital. Lead agencies areexpected to promote PLWH/Aparticipation throughout all levels ofNetwork operations and must strivefor at least 25% active participation ofpersons living with HIV/AIDS withinthe Network and its subcommittees.Lead agencies are required to dedicatea portion of the Network budget tothe support and maintenance ofconsumer participation in theNetwork. These expenses can includereimbursement for transportationand/or child care expenses, supportfor attendance at domesticconferences, the development of peermentorship programs and/or otherpeer stipend programs. Otherstrategies that may be employed toensure active consumer participationinclude the provision of refreshmentsat meetings, ensuring the availabilityof translation services, theimplementation of flexible attendancepolicies due to illness or disability,and establishing convenient meetingtimes. Networks are also encouragedto develop a peer component whichmay include mentorship, stipend and

advocacyRYAN WHITE PART B(continued from page 2)other employment opportunities withthe Network. Peers can assist withadministrative duties necessary forNetwork functioning or conductoutreach to other consumers,especially in large rural areas.In large regions, transportationpresents an onerous challenge toNetwork participation. In addition toreimbursement for transportationexpenses, Lead Agencies areimplementing innovative strategies toaddress this potential barrier. Thesestrategies include developing smallerregional bodies where consumers canparticipate locally, rotating meetinglocations, and using video andteleconference equipment to ensuregeographic coverage and reachconsumers in the entire region orborough.What role can I play?There are many different waysconsumers can become involved in theNetworks. Consumers are encouragedto become members of the ExecutiveCommittee which serves as thegoverning body of the Network and isresponsible for overall Networkoperations. Consumers can also startoff by becoming members of theConsumer Involvement Committee.The ultimate goal of this committee isto promote consumer involvement inthe region, provide a venue forconsumers to share the realities ofliving with HIV/AIDS, identify gaps inservices, raise community awareness,and provide a mechanism whereconsumers can participate in thedevelopment of policies and otherstrategies to address their needs. Byparticipating on and becomingmembers of the Care CoordinationCommittee, consumers can play a vitalrole in reducing barriers to services.The Care Coordination Committee isresponsible for assessing needs,identifying barriers, developing andimplementing service plans,developing universal practices, andoffering trainings on relevant andemerging issues. Finally, consumerscan have a voice by becoming part ofthe Policy Advisory/EducationCommittee. This committee is chargedwith informing legislative, governmentand community leaders at the localand state levels of regional needs andemerging issues related to HIV/AIDS,and with promoting a coordinatedresponse to address these issues.What next?A list of the new lead agencies andNetwork regions is provided on page 6.Your active participation in theseimportant planning bodies will help toensure a comprehensive continuum ofHIV care and services throughout theState. Make your voice heard and getinvolved today! If you are notcurrently a member of a Network, orbelonged to one of the former Networkareas that changed, contact theNetwork Coordinator or Lead Agencystaff person covering your region andask for a membership application. qSURVIVING AND THRIVING(continued from front)adolescent to adult HIV health care,dealing with HIV stigma anddisclosing one’s HIV status to others.At this training, the LTI staff trainerswere joined by Shahdae Holland, anHIV+ young African American womanfrom Philadelphia, who made awonderful addition to the trainingteam. Part 2 in the series is scheduledfor the end of October, with part 3coming early in 2009.Another notable development hasbeen the increased enrollment in ourNew York City “Planning CouncilTraining” series—four workshops thatfocus on information and skills toenhance PWHA participation in theNYC Ryan White Part A PlanningCouncil and its committees. Thesetrainings are being offered againseveral times through February 2009(see the calendar on p. 5.), and areopen to any PWHA in New York Cityand Westchester, Putnam andRockland counties, even if they’venever taken an LTI training before! qIn June, Georgette Beal left the AIDSInstitute to serve as the Senior VicePresident for HIV/AIDS GrantsManagement for the United Way.The PWA community throughoutNew York State would like to thankGeorgette for all her work and supportof the LTI program, and we wish hermuch success in her new position.3

ALL TRAINED UP ANDNOWHERE TO GO?There are many chances to useyour LTI experience to helpour communities plan,strategize and set priorities forservices for PWHA. Also, every regionof the state has a Ryan White Part BHIV Care Network, and severalregions are also Ryan White Part Adesignated EMAs or TGAs, with theirown Planning Councils and PWHAAdvisory Groups. If prevention isyour passion, check out the city orstate Prevention Planning Groups.In other words, there are lots ofopportunities for our involvement indifferent kinds of groups all aroundNew York State. All of these groupsdepend on our contributions andexpertise as PWHA, and some areactively recruiting members right now!Please directly contact any of the groupsbelow for more information or forschedules of their open public meetings.DUTCHESS COUNTY HIV SERVICESPLANNING COUNCILCall: (845) 452-8805Contact: Chris Leewww.hivplanningdutchess.orginfo@hivplanningdutchess.orgNASSAU/SUFFOLK HIV HEALTHSERVICES PLANNING COUNCILUnited Way of Long IslandContact: Jennifer Coup(631) 940-3716jcoup@unitedwayli.orgNEW YORK CITY HIV HEALTH ANDHUMAN SERVICES PLANNING COUNCILCall: (212) 788-2734Staff Liaison: Darryl Wongdwong@health.nyc.govTRI-COUNTY RYAN WHITE PART ASTEERING COMMITTEEContact: Tom PetroTel: 914-813-5047tjp1@westchestergov.comNEW YORK STATE HIV PREVENTIONPLANNING GROUP (PPG)General Number: (518) 473-8484Staff Liaison: Barry WalstonRyan White Part B HIV Care Network DirectoryREGIONBROOKLYNBRONXCENTRAL NEW YORK(14 counties: St. Lawrence,Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer, Oneida,Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga,Cortland, Madison, Chenango,Broome, Tioga, Tompkins)FINGER LAKES(9 counties: Monroe, Wayne,Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Seneca,Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung)HUDSON VALLEY(7 counties: Sullivan, Ulster,Dutchess, Orange, Putnam,Rockland, Westchester)LONG ISLAND(2 counties: Nassau, Suffolk)MANHATTANNORTHEASTERN NEW YORK(17 counties: Franklin, Clinton,Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Fulton,Saratoga, Washington, Montgomery,Schenectady, Rensselaer, Schoharie,Albany, Greene, Columbia, Otsego,Delaware)QUEENSSTATEN ISLANDNETWORK CONTACT INFORMATIONGail GreenidgeKings County Hospital CenterTel: 718-245-2820 Fax: 718-735-4165Email: gail.greenidge@nychhc.orgSocrates CabaMontefiore Medical CenterTel: 718-231-3296 Ext. 25 Fax: 718-655-3763Email: Scaba@montefiore.orgStephen E. WaldronCoordinator, Central New York HIV Care NetworkTel: 315-472-8099 Ext. 15 Fax: 315-472-8033Email: sewaldron@cnyhsa.comPat ZachariasFinger Lakes Health Systems AgencyTel: 585-461-3520 Ext. 102 Fax: 585-461-0997Email: patzacharias@flhsa.orgBarbara BennetAIDS Related Community Services (ARCS)Tel: 914-785-8275 Fax 914-785-8265Email: bbennet@arcs.orgAnthony SanchezUnited Way of Long IslandTel: 631-940-3735 Fax: 631-940-2551Email: asanchez@unitedwayli.orgJose Martin Garcia OrduñaUnion Settlement Association, Inc.Tel: 212-828-6143 Fax: 212-360-5914Email: jorduna@unionsett.orgMichael BroderickNortheastern New York HIV Care NetworkTel: 518-689-0880 Fax: 518-689-0753Email: michaelb@caresny.orgRobert SteptoeAIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC)Tel: 347-952-4943 Fax: 718-739-2552Email: Rsteptoe@acqc.orgKarina RyanCommunity Health Action of Staten IslandTel: 718-808-1414 Fax: 718-808-1391Email: karin.ryan@sihealthaction.orgNEW YORK CITY DOH HIV PREVENTIONPLANNING GROUP (PPG)Call: (212) 788-4180Staff Liaison: Linda BattleEmail: dohmhppg@health.nyc.govWESTERN NEW YORK4Andrew KienerAIDS Network of Western New York, Inc.Tel: 716-882-7840 Fax: 716-882-2139Email: aidsnet@pce.net

MEET THE CAB, GREET THE CABVictor Benadava – New York CityWork Affiliation: Holistic HealthCounselor; Reiki MasterAdvocacy and VolunteerInvolvement:• Volunteer at GMHC inthe kitchen and as anADS (AcupunctureDetoxification Specialist) forthe last couple of years; past Co-chairof the GMHC Client Advisory Board• Board Member of Aspiring Dreams inLouisiana• Member of Today Help EthiopiaCorp., a non-profit organization tohelp PWA’s in Ethiopia• Member of NAPWA (NationalAssociation of People With AIDS)• Member of the New York CityPrevention Planning Group (PPG)• Member of the New York StateConsumer Advisory Committee• Member of the New York HIV Healthand Human Services PlanningCouncil Consumers Committee andalternate Planning Council memberHobbies/interests: I love horses,sports, Holistic Health, laughing,eating, enjoying life.Gerald DeYounge – New York CityWork Affiliation: Inactive ArmyReservesAdvocacy and VolunteerInvolvement:• Co-Chair of the BklynHIV Care Network andSteering Committee ofPositive HealthManagement Office of WyckoffHeight Medical Center (WHMC)• Peer Educator for Family ServicesNetwork and WHMC• Won a scholarship to attend theNational Conference on AfricanAmericans and AIDS from PositiveHealth Management Office of WHMC• Volunteer for God’s Love We Deliveron SundaysHobbies/interests: Singing, dancing,passion for Astronomy and Egyptology,reading and watching old filmsPWA LEADERSHIPTRAINING INSTITUTEA Program of Cicatelli Associates Inc.“Self-Management: Becoming Your Own HealthCare Advocate”(open to any HIV+ New York State resident)This training is designed for individuals who wantto better manage their HIV health care. Medical information,communication skills building and peer support are combined inan interactive educational experience created by and for PWHA.3 Albany—October 22-24, 2008 (W-F)3 New York City—November 12-14, 2008 (W-F)January 14-16, 2009 (W-F)3 Long Island—November 20-22, 2008 (Th-Sa)3 Hudson Valley—December 4-6, 2008 (Th-Sat)NYC “HIV Planning Council” Training Series(open to HIV+ residents of NY City, and Westchester,Rockland and Putnam Counties)Lunchprovided!Lunch andMetro Cardsprovided!These four workshops explain the federal Ryan Whiteprogram and its mandate for communities to identifylocal needs and set priorities for funding. The trainingsare designed to build knowledge and skills for PWHA who arecurrently active in the NYC HIV Planning Council’s processes, aswell as those who are interested in learning more about the Counciland its opportunities for PWHA participation.3 Community Planning: Focus on Planning Councilsand Policy BodiesNovember 13-14 (Th-F), January 8-9, 2009 (Th-F)3 Understanding DataNovember 24-25 (M-Tu), January 22-23, 2009 (Th-F)3 Setting Priorities & Distributing FundsNovember 20-21 (Th-F), January 29-30, 2009 (Th-F)3 Working Effectively in GroupsOctober 27-29 (M-W), December 8-10 (M-W)February 18-20, 2009 (W-F)To register for trainings, or for more information,please call Aanchal Dhar at 212-594-7741 ext. 2315

6“All LTI Graduates thatserve on the Board of Directorsand/or a Community Advisory Boardfor a not-for-profit organization areencouraged to register for thetrainings listed below.”

nationalFEDERAL MEDICAIDCUTS LOOMINGReprinted from New York AIDS Coalition(NYAC), News From DC, July 30, 2008Readers of “News from DC” mayrecall NYAC highlighting seriousproblems with the BushAdministration’s proposed Medicaid regulations.The impact of the Medicaidregulations on New York State alone wasprojected to exceed $1.5 billion in thefirst year. As a result of activism fromthe HIV/AIDS, disability, and Medicaidcommunity, Congress passed a one-yearmoratorium on six of the seven proposedregulations. However, Congress did notstop one regulation, which impacts onMedicaid reimbursement for hospitaloutpatient and community based services.The fiscal impact of this oneregulation on state Medicaid programs,including New York’s, will be significant.The Governor’s office predictsthis regulation will costNew York State at least$350 million dollars.The remaining regulation is extremelycomplex, but in summary would appearto limit Medicaid reimbursement forhospital outpatient and communitybasedservices to only those servicescovered by Medicare, and ensure thatreimbursement is similar to theMedicare rate. This would essentiallyprohibit federal Medicaid matching dollarsfor services that Medicare does notcover, such as methadone maintenanceservices, renal dialysis, family planningservices, and some mental retardationand developmental disability services,to name a few. Considering thatMedicaid and Medicare generally serveentirely different groups of individualswith very different needs, NYAC isextremely puzzled behind the logic ofmatching up Medicaid with Medicarereimbursement. It makes no sense.Governor Paterson’s Washington DCoffice recently generated a memo thatdescribes the impact of this oneMedicaid regulation on New York. TheGovernor’s office predicts this regulationwill cost New York State at least $350million dollars. These regulations would(continued on page 8)Medicaid Managed Care for People With HIVMay Be Mandatory SoonReprinted from New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC), News From Albany July 30, 2008HIV/AIDSadvocates have begun to learn that the [NY]State Department of Health may soon announceplans to begin requiring persons living with HIV/AIDS on Medicaid to enrollin managed care plans. Up until now, persons living with HIV have beenexempt from requirements to enroll in either an HIV Special Needs Plan (HIVSNP) or standard managed care. This process may begin as early as January2009, only six months away. From what NYAC has learned, mandatoryenrollment of PLWHAs on Medicaid into managed care plans will begin inNew York City first. Whether it will expand beyond NYC is not known yet.However, this news is alarming for a number of reasons, and NYAC has severalquestions/concerns (and this list is not exhaustive):• It eliminates PLWHAs choices in Medicaid and narrows their health careoptions.• To date, the State Health Department has provided no information on howmany HIV specialists are in each of the Medicaid managed care planslicensed across the State. There are approximately 67,000 persons livingwith HIV who rely on Medicaid for their health care in NYS; do each of thestandard managed care plans have enough (if any) HIV specialists to treatall of these individuals?• In areas with high concentrations of persons living with HIV, are thereenough providers and HIV providers in each of the plans to care for all thehuge influx of PLWHAs?• As persons are auto-enrolled into managed care plans, what will happen tobeneficiaries who suddenly learn they can no longer see the doctor(s) thatthey have been relying on for years for care? Will each of the plans beprepared to guide each and every beneficiary to appropriate providersexperienced in HIV?• What role will the HIV SNPs play in this mandatory enrollment process? Willpersons only be auto-assigned to standard managed care plans, or will theHIV SNPs also be included in any auto-enrollment process?• What steps will the State Health Department take to monitor the plan’sperformance for PLWHAs?• Will NYS DOH provide resources to HIV service organizations so that a widelypublicized public awareness campaign and outreach effort will be conductedto ensure that all PLWHAs are aware of their options before the autoenrollmentprocess begins?NYAC is coordinating with a number of other organizations to hold acommunity forum on this issue. Date, time and location will be providedshortly. We are expecting to hold this forum sometime the week of September8th (week following Labor Day). q7

FEDERAL MEDICAID CUTS(continued from page 7)nationalresult in direct reductions in funding toprograms all across the state, includingto programs at NYC Health and HospitalsCorporation, Narco Freedom, PlannedParenthood, Suffolk County HealthDepartment, Housing Works, BroomeCounty Health Department, AIDSCommunity Health Center, DaytopVillage, Finger Lakes Migrant Health CareCenter and many, many more organizations.It would also put in jeopardy theState’s proposed reforms to Medicaid,including proposed adjustments to reimbursementsfor outpatient services.NYAC and other Medicaid advocacygroups are hoping that a mechanism(such as a must pass budget bill) canbe found to pass a Congressional moratoriumon this regulation as well.However, the White House has beenparticularly stern on this issue and willfight any efforts to overturn this regulation.This is an issue that we need topay particular attention to; in thecoming weeks and months NYAC maybe calling upon its members to makecalls and write letters on this issue. qNOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW LTI PEER MENTORSFROM NEW YORK CITY, LONG ISLAND AND THE HUDSON VALLEY!LTI Peer Mentors are HIV-positive individuals who provide encouragement andsupport to graduates of the LTI’s “Self-Management: Becoming Your Own HealthCare Advocate” training for 6 months following their graduation from thecourse. Mentors are volunteers, and they report to the LTI Mentor Supervisor.QUALIFICATIONS•Be a graduate of the LTI Core OR have attended at least one 2-3 day LTI trainingin the past 6 months•Demonstrated ability to self-manage his/her own HIV health care•Able to attend 4-day mentor training and participate in monthly supervision viatelephone and/or in person•Available for 2-3 contacts per month with each mentee (no more than 3 permentor), both in person and by telephone•Aware of the major issues and concerns facing PWHAs, especially regarding HIVhealth care•Energetic and motivated, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills•Knowledgeable about how to access information resources in the community•Prepared to discuss basic information about HIV/AIDS health care (labs, meds,etc.) in a one-on-one discussion•Able to work with diverse populations (i.e. MSM, gay, bisexual, transgender,substance users, various ethnicities and religions, etc.)•Capable of discussing sexuality and related issues with comfort and confidence•Committed to achieving the program’s mission as part of a team•Some availability on evenings and weekends may be requiredIf you fit the above and are interested in becoming an LTI Peer Mentor, pleasecontact Gregory Cruz or Aanchal Dhar for more information: 212/594-7741 or,outside New York City, toll-free at 866/792-5323. qLiving Positively in the 21st CenturyMark Nowak, (left) LTI CAB member for Western NY,presents an award for “Living Positively in the 21stCentury” to fellow LTI graduate Andy Kiener, ExecutiveDirector of the Western NY HIV Care Network. The awardwas given to “an outstanding PLWA nominated by his peers.”zzMark presents Dr. Gus Birkhead, former ExecutiveDirector of the AIDS Institute, with an award recognizingDr. Birkhead’s contributions to the New York State PLWAcommunity. Poz magazine editor Regan Hofmann wasalso recognized, but was unable to attend due to illness.8