Coronavirus (COVID-19) and WeCanStopSTDsLA's Meetings and Work
As we all navigate this different and challenging time with COVID-19 and in accordance with social distancing practices to control its spread, WeCanStopSTDsLA will suspend in-person Community Advisory Coalition (CAC) and its working group meetings until it is safe to do so. We are looking forward to your continued participation to advance our shared work and will gather using remote access tools described below.
The Spring into Love Event Planning committee has also been closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) and takes the health and safety of everyone very seriously. Based on current information, guidelines, and recommendations provided by the national and local health authorities and closure of the LAUSD schools, Spring into Love 2020 is postponed until later in the year. The CAC’s Youth and Young Adult Working Group is currently exploring options to reschedule and will provide updates as they get more information and decisions are made.
Here’s a summary of the current changes and updates to all CAC gatherings until further notice:
What is being canceled/postponed?
- April CAC meeting has been canceled. A decision about the May and June meetings has not been made at this time.
- 2020 Spring into Love has been postponed. We will keep you apprised regarding when it will be rescheduled.
What is changing?
- Regular Working Groups will be held and conducted via conference calls. Meeting notices will continue to be sent to group members and will include call-in information. If you’d like to join a Working Group, please send an email to [email protected]
The work goes on!
In the meantime, all CAC activities will continue remotely, focusing on items on our 2020 Action Plan, including the following efforts:
- Ongoing CAC capacity development through resource development and grant writing
- Formalizing membership relationships with partners
- Expanding outreach to the Antelope Valley and East LA
- Continuing development of the Interfaith STD toolkit
- Deepening work with key constituencies through CAC partners –e.g., African American and Latina girls and young women, young people who are MSMs or transgender, and others at elevated risk due to foster care, homelessness, incarceration or probation
- Outreach and planning strategies (possibly a Town Hall style meeting) to discuss the impact of STDs on young peoplewith candidates running for political office
Our wish for you is to be healthy, centered, resilient and hopeful during this uncertain time.
Our best,
The Coachman Moore & Associates Inc. Backbone team
New CDC Report: STDs Continue to Rise in the U.S.
According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, from 2017 to 2018 there were alarming increases in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. This highlights the importance of continuing our work to stop STDs. Click here to view the report and learn more.
To see this information in news media, see the article in the New York Times and the report by CNN.
Calling Leaders
STD Prevention Program Evaluation Intern
Essential Access Health is currently recruiting an intern to assist with a project evaluation. Looking for a candidate with basic evaluation experience (conducting surveys, summarizing data) whether through undergraduate/graduate classwork or other experience; Spanish fluency is also required. This is a part-time, paid opportunity, to run through the end of the year.
Please send your resumes to: [email protected]
Eradicating HIV in LA County and Beyond
From the Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas:
“The fact that Dr. Redfield– a preeminent leader in HIV research and programs–is the director of the CDC says a lot about CDC’s commitment to eradicating HIV, and LA County is dedicated to being a partner in its efforts.
“HIV and STIs have been, and will continue to be, my priority policy areas, especially considering their disproportionate impact among communities of color.
Read the full story here or below.
Read more