Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #540 The Nia Project
Requester:	J. Carl DeVine		Organization:		People of Color AIDS Coalition, Inc. (POCAC)
Project Title:	The Nia Project		Date Submitted:		01/24/2000 5:18:09 PM
District Member:	James Hargrett		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	Pinellas
Recipient:	People of Color AIDS Coalition, Inc. (POCAC)		Contact:		J. Carl DeVine
	861 Sixth Avenue South		Contact Phone:		(727) 822-2437 13
	St. Petersburg 33701
Project Description:
The "Member's Project" is designed to provide HIV/AIDS/STD prevention to the residents of Pinellas County and to African American males throughout the State of Florida; and to provide some general support to help build the infrastructure of the agency.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Services provided by People of Color increases the number of people tested for HIV, increases the awareness of African Americans of HIV/AIDS, provides more education/information, street and community outreach and prevention messages targeted to minorities who are at high risk of infection. The benefits to the state is a reduction in the number of people seeking help at the late stages of AIDS which increases the amount spent by medicaid to care for those who were not tested early; keeping people in the work force (with our counseling and medical facilities) which keeps them off the social security and medicaid rolls; increases the tax base by keeping people working and reduces the number of people assessing medical care. Our programs help to keep people healthy, independent and contributors to society. People of Color has been able to reach thousands of people with this year's funding that otherwise would not have had any personal contact regarding HIV/AIDS. We hosted a WORLD AIDS DAY event (Dec. 1) (in collaboration with the Pinellas County Health Department and 15 other agencies) in which 1,100 attended and where 116 were tested for HIV in a six hour period. PCHD officials acknowledged that this was extremely successful and asked that we repeat this event next year. Our KWANZAA (UMOJA) celebration attracted over 200 people (individuals and families) from the community participated. We are still getting calls, emails and letters of appreciation for our sponsorship. We involved the entire community - schools, local civic and fraternal organizations, individuals and families in the planning and the ceremonies. People came from as far away as Jacksonville and Orlando to participate and learn about this African American Holiday in which we integrated HIV prevention messages into a cultural theme. We contacted over 2,000 people at the SCLC's annual Martin Luther King "Drummajor for Justice" Parade. We had staff and volunteers walking the parade route distributing prevention literature, brochures and information to the thousands of people gathered to observe the parade. The throngs of people coming from the parade had to pass our offices where we had tables set up on both sides of the street and distributed condoms, literature and other prevention materials to those who were walking and passing in their cars. It was excitingly successful to reach the young people who were participants - either as observers or in the parade. We have been able to go to the jails, state prisons and churches to spread prevention messages throughout the county. We have request for sessions scheduled up to December, 2000. Our services are being requested throughout the state. We get visitors from all over the State to see our operation and how we conduct our prevention activities. We are helping other areas organize their efforts around the state to impede the spread of HIV/AIDS in communities of color through the state which in turn will reduce the number of people newly infected with HIV. Our African American Male Institute - scheduled for the weekend of May 19th - 21st, has begun to generate excitement throughout the state. A forum of this kind has never been held in the State of Florida. Our agency - because of these funds - is able to provide innovated and effective prevention activities that benefit the entire State as well as the residents of Pinellas County.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
In the next fiscal year, we anticipate contacting 5000 minority persons with funds from this project ( both county and state wide).
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$200,000
Total cost of the project:		$450,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
	Cash Amount:	$50,000		In-Kind Amount:	$200,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1999-2000		Amount:	$150,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					No
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	The comprehensive Plan for area 5 and the state, Title I Needs Assessment and POCAC's needs as
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	Pinellas County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	11/12/1998