Kansas Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS

(KACHA)


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Mission

Our mission is to develop and coordinate an effective, on-going, and comprehensive HIV plan for the State of Kansas.

Vision

Our vision for Kansas is that HIV and AIDS are effectively prevented and managed until the end of the epidemic.

Purpose

The purpose of the Kansas Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (KACHA) is to bring community members, HIV service professionals, and governmental entities together to develop effective statewide planning to support people living with HIV/AIDS and to prevent new HIV infections.

KACHA members set priorities and develop goals designed to promote effective HIV prevention and care programming. KACHA serves as a voice for those communities in Kansas that are at highest risk for HIV and for those living with HIV/AIDS. KACHA advises KDHE and HIV service professionals on how to best implement culturally competent and sensitive HIV prevention and care services to those who need them most.

Why Community Involvement?

The HIV epidemic is a very diverse one. Who is infected with HIV varies from community to community. Even within different groups affected by HIV, the values and practice vary from place to place. Prevention and care services are successful when they reach people where they are in their lives - not where others think they ought to be.

With community planning, local communities including those infected and affected by HIV determine the scope, depth and content of HIV prevention and care programming. In other words, the values and priorities of the community determine what is important and what is not. This is why community involvement in KACHA is so important.

Does KACHA make a difference?

Yes. Until KACHA, government support for creative programming was limited. We've had to depend on private funding or our own volunteer efforts to develop the most creative programs. Now the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the communities for whom these services are intended share decisions about HIV prevention and care activities, services, and funding. You can take advantage of this opportunity to encourage the innovators in your community to come aboard and be part of the process.

What can you do?

KACHA seeks meaningful involvement from community members like you to help continually refine and tailor HIV prevention and care services that are culturally sensitive, scientifically sound, and addresses the unique needs of those communities most affected by HIV/AIDS.

To participate, simply show up at a live meeting or join in on a conference call. Meetings alternate between statewide phone conference calls and open meetings in different cities across Kansas.
For information on the date, time, and location of the next KACHA meeting contact Todd Coffindaffer (785) 296-1982 or by email tcoffindaffer@kdheks.gov.

Important Responsibilities of KACHA:

  • Maintain a membership that is representative of the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of those most impacted by HIV infection in their community;
  • Assess the HIV prevention and care needs of Kansans who are most impacted by HIV/AIDS;
  • Identify interventions and services to match the needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS;
  • Evaluate interventions and services to assure they are effective; and
  • Develop a statewide comprehensive HIV plan in accordance with federal (CDC and HRSA) and state guidance.

Calendar

KACHA Calendar

Jurisdictional Planning

 

KACHA Committees

Steering Committee – Rights and Responsibilities:

  • Each member of the Steering Committee shall have the following rights:
    • May nominate themselves for a second term;
    • Be held harmless from any suit, damage, claim, judgments, or liability arising out of, or asserted to arise out of, conduct of such person in his or her capacity as a member.
    • May choose to serve on more than one Standing or Ad-Hoc Committees except the Executive Committee which is reserved for Officers and Chairs of Standing Committees.
    • Shall be provided a current edition of the bylaws upon election or appointment to the KACHA;
    • The right to an inclusive and educational orientation about how KACHA functions.
  • Each member of the Steering Committee shall have the following responsibilities:
    • Maintain full-time residence in Kansas. If an individual resides outside the state of Kansas, that individual may maintain membership if the individual is an official representative of a KDHE funded HIV program;
    • Uphold the goals, objectives, policies and procedures of KACHA;
    • Attend meetings and participate in the policy-making decisions;
    • Serve on a minimum of one (1) Standing Committee as is suited to the member’s interests, skills, and needs;
    • Contribute his or her professional and personal expertise;
    • May not Chair more than one (1) Standing Committee or hold an office and Chair a Standing Committee simultaneously

 

Executive Committee –

May act on matters in place of the Steering Committee between Steering Committee meetings, except on matters specifically reserved for the Steering Committee by these Bylaws;

Consists of the Chairperson from each Standing Committee, the Community Co-Chair, KDHE Co-Chair and Secretary. 
Attendance from seventy-five percent (75%) of the Executive Committee members are required for a quorum;
Schedule, location, and frequency of meetings shall be decided by the Community Co-Chair or KDHE Co-Chair;
Actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the members of the group for ratification during the next Steering Committee meeting.  The Executive Committee shall not supersede the Steering Committee and none of its actions shall conflict with those of the Steering Committee.

 

By Laws Committee –

The Bylaws Committee shall advise, oversee, and maintain the Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures of the Kansas Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

 

Quality Management Committee –

The Quality Management Committee shall be responsible for driving the statewide HIV quality program, building capacity, and capability for quality improvement, reviewing program data, determining priorities for improvement, and oversight of improvement projects.

 

Membership Committee –

The Membership Committee shall be responsible for evaluating, maintaining, and managing the quality and diversity of the membership of the Kansas Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

 

Consumer Advocacy Committee –

The Consumer Advocacy Committee shall have membership inclusive of HIV-positive members and shall educate the membership and community members on current issues surrounding HIV.

 

Evaluation and Planning Committee –

The Evaluation and Planning Committee shall address any special needs of under-represented communities, programs, and projects in Kansas.