Empowering Consumers

Families of children with HIV historically have been underrepresented in advocacy and policy-making activities concerning their needs as caregivers and those of their children. The literature suggests that patient/client satisfaction and positive medical and psychosocial outcomes depend on active collaboration between providers and consumers.

The Lower New York Consortium supports ongoing opportunities and advocacy training to increase consumer involvement in their own care. It also supports two parent advocates who are actively engaged in establishing parent-to-parent networks, seeking out and promoting educational and training opportunities, and communicating with both staff and other consumers about issues of mutual concern.

Consumer Advisory Board

The Consortium's Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) provides consumers with educational workshops, advocacy training, and training in conducting targeted outreach to high-risk women. Outreach occurs in faith-based agencies, feeding programs, and community health fairs with the goal of educating women about ways to reduce risk, access health care, and assume control of their lives.

The CAB has eight active members, meets every six weeks, and sponsors an annual consumer conference and ongoing educational workshops for Consortium clients. Its goal is the promotion of consumer involvement and empowerment in Consortium programs through review of network programs, advocacy training, and education.

For more information, contact the Consumer Advisory Board.