About the Planning Council

The HIV Health Services Planning Council offers people with HIV disease
and other interested parties several ways to share their points of view.

You can:

Attend monthly Council meetings, which are open to the public

Apply for a seat on the Council, which would allow you to vote on Council decisions

Participate in a Council committee.

If you are interested in Council membership, please complete the membership application. The questionnaire is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, which means you must have Adobe Reader to open it. Click here for a FREE download of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Upon completing the questionnaire, please mail to: Sandra Sikes, Program Support Aide, Behavioral and Human Services, 1809 Art Museum Drive, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32207, or email a scanned copy of your application to SSikes@coj.net.

History
The City of Jacksonville became eligible for Ryan White Care Act Title I (now Part A) funding in December, 1994. Upon notification of eligibility, the Mayor assigned responsibility for administering the program to the Community Services Department, Mental Health and Welfare Division. Members of the Metropolitan Jacksonville Area HIV Health Services Planning Council are appointed by the Mayor. The Planning Council uses community input to fulfill its legislative mandate of establishing priorities and allocating funds.

Purpose
The purpose of the Planning Council is to provide a means for planning and implementing a coordinated response to the needs of people living with and affected by HIV disease.

Values
DIGNITY - People with HIV/AIDS have the right to choose the type or types of services based on their individual needs and to be treated with respect.

QUALITY OF LIFE - Services to be provided will meet the physical, emotional, mental, social, financial, and spiritual needs of persons with HIV/AIDS.

RESPECTFUL QUALITY SERVICE - Services will be accessible to all persons, culturally sensitive, non-judgmental, personalized, and provide an appropriate standard of care with respect to a person's right to privacy.

Principles to Guide Decision Making
Decisions will be based on documented needs. Services must be responsive to the epidemiology of HIV in this service area. Consumer perspectives and preferences will be a primary consideration in setting service priorities and allocating resources. Priorities should contribute to strengthening the agreed-upon continuum of care, including providing basic health care, limiting duplication of services, and minimizing the need for hospitalization. Decisions are expected to address overall needs within the service area, not narrow advocacy concerns. Services must be culturally appropriate. Services should focus on the needs of low-income, underserved, and severe needs populations. Equitable access to services should be provided across geographic areas and subpopulations. Services should meet standards of care (where available) and be of demonstrated quality and effectiveness.

Meetings
The Council meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1809 Art Museum Dr., Suite 100 Conference Room, in Jacksonville at 4:00 p.m., except November and December when it meets the third Thursday of the month. All meetings are open to the public.

Planning Council Minutes 2010-Present 
Planning Council Minutes 2003-2009