The Denver HIV Resources Planning Council (DHRPC) is a mayoral-appointed board for the City and County of Denver, operating under the Department of Public Health and Environment.
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Our mission is to support the coordination of high-quality, culturally responsive HIV services across the Denver Transitional Grant Area, which includes Arapahoe, Adams, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties.
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Our vision is for people living with HIV (PLHIV) to have access to an innovative and top-quality care system that promotes their ongoing health and well-being.
The Denver Principles
In 1983, a remarkable group of people attending the 5th Annual Gay and Lesbian Health Conference in Denver, drafted the Denver Principles, a manifesto that continues to empower the lives of PLHIV and marked the beginning the HIV advocacy movement.
A Bit More About Us...
The Planning Council oversees the prioritization and allocation of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part A Funds. These funds pay for primary medical care, mental health services, dental care, substance use treatment, early intervention services, psycho-social support, and food services for people living with HIV who are low income or whose insurance does not cover their needs. The funds are distributed to community-based organizations, public health programs, and community health clinics.
The Planning Council is also responsible for: (a) conducting an ongoing needs assessment of people living with HIV, (b) assisting with the Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need (SCSN) and the Colorado Integrated HIV Prevention & Care Plan, (c) crafting directives that provide guidance on how to improve service models and best meet identified needs, (d) reviewing service standards for each funded service category, and (e) evaluating the work of Denver HIV Resources.
Planning Council Membership
Planning Council membership must reflect the demographics of the local epidemic and include members with specific expertise in health care planning, housing for the homeless, health care for incarcerated populations, substance use and mental health treatment, and members who represent other Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts. At least 33% of members must be unaligned and receive Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services.
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RWHAP planning councils are unique. No other federal health or human services program has a legislatively required planning body that is the decision maker about how funds will be used, has such defined membership composition, and requires such a high level of client participation (at least 33 percent). To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Planning Council, please view the PC Primer here.