NNAAPC NEEDS YOUR VOICE!
Preserving and Strengthening HIV Prevention in Native Communities
The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center has been working with tribes, community-based organizations, and health departments to strengthen and enhance their HIV prevention programming for over 22 years. However, due to the de-prioritization of HIV prevention in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities and funding decisions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NNAAPC now faces the possibility of closing our doors for good. The CDC chose not to fund a national, Native-specific agency to conduct valuable training and technical assistance to Native communities. So services that are available now to other communities and organizations are no longer readily available to Native communities or community-based organizations.
We are asking our friends and supporters to step up and help NNAAPC raise awareness of the unfair decisions by the CDC. Native populations currently have the third highest raise per 100,000 of new infections and the shortest survival rate after diagnosis, and arguably the least access to prevention funding and resources – the data does not support the decisions made by the CDC.
NNAAPC will be forced to close down permanently if funding is not allocated or support is not located. NNAAPC is organizing an aggressive awareness campaign, but we need your help. We are asking people and organizations who know of us, have worked with us, or who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS in anyway to allow your voice to be heard and tell the CDC that there decision was wrong, that NNAAPC is needed, and that funds need to be allocated immediately to meet the needs of Native communities in 50 states and territories.
To that end we have created this “Save NNAAPC Tool Kit”. In it you will find links and tools to get you started and resources to get you prepared in advocating for Native communities right to equal prevention services.
Please NNAAPC know of your local advocacy efforts, and if you need any assistance or any additional information, please contact Danica Brown, Capacity Building Associate, National Native American AIDS Prevention Center; 720-382-2244, dbrown@nnaapc.org.
We have provided the following tools for to make your advocacy easier.
- Write a Letter to your elected federal officials in Washington, DC
NNAAPC has already started to work with US Senators and Representatives to secure support and to advocate for equal funding to restore our agency. However, the more people that they hear from the more likely they are to take quick action.
It is easy to send a letter to your elected official:
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**Remember that you will need to do this process three times in order to send a letter to both of your US senators and your US congressperson.**
• Write a Letter to the Director of the CDC
Send a letter to Dr. Thomas Frieden, newly appointed Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He needs to be made aware of how his agency’s funding decisions affect Native communities and agencies like NNAAPC. He needs to be given the opportunity to restore funding to NNAAPC and our communities.
Use the following attached template, and then follow the same steps as above (type in your contact information, print it out on letterhead, sign it and mail it to Dr. Thomas Frieden)
• Opinion Editorials
The opinion pages are one of the most popular sections in any local or tribal newspaper. A letter goes a long way. Use the following Sample Op Ed pieces to write into you local paper.
• Letters to the Editor
Add your personal touch to the following sample letters to the editors. Feel free to edit them and put them into your own voice. Your local paper will have specific instructions on how to submit a letter, so be sure to check with your opinion page editors.
• Call Congress
Call 1-800-828-0498 toll free and ask to be connected to your Members of Congress. The following talking points can help with your call.
**You can also use these talking points on HIV/AIDS when visiting your area representatives, elected tribal officials, or hosting your own community meeting.
• Pass a Local Resolution
The National Indian Health Board has already passed a resolution calling for the Obama Administration and the CDC to take action to restore funding to NNAAPC in order to provide these much needed prevention services. Urge your tribal council, inter-tribal council, or area health board to pass a similar resolution. Use the resolution template attached below.
**If you are successful in passing a resolution, please send a copy of the signed resolution to Danica Brown, dbrown@nnaapc.org, or 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 650-S, Denver, CO 80246 so that we can demonstrate the support of the governing Native bodies**
• Additional Resources
The documents and links featured on the sidebar can help further explain the epidemic in Native communities and provide a strong case to restore funding to NNAAPC and Native communities.
NNAAPC earns the support of the US Senate
Donate Now
Thank you for your interest in supporting the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC).
Donations can be accepted via check or money order; these can be sent to:
| Attn: Sandra Janis National Native American AIDS Prevention Center 720 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite 650-S Denver, CO 80246 |
For other donation options, please contact Sandra Janis, Director of Finance and Operations, at (720) 382-2244 X 307 or by email at sjanis@nnaapc.org.
The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and financial contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
