Annual Report - Ontario AIDS Network

Ontario AIDS
Network
Annual Report 2012-2013
Message from the Co-Chairs
The year 2012-2013 was one of innovative partnerships, organizational transformation and
milestone achievements for the Ontario AIDS Network.
In the 17th year of our history, the OAN has been innovative in working with our partners in
other regions and provinces to help revitalize the national agenda and create a mutually
supported and accountable framework for inter-provincial cooperation. In keeping with the
goals of the OAN’s strategic plan, we worked on strengthening our bilateral cooperation with
other provincial and regional organizations and collaboration with national organizations.
The OAN was pleased to be the lead agency creating our first-ever day on Parliament Hill in
partnership with the Pacific AIDS Network (PAN), Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH),
Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le sida (COCQ-SIDA), the
Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research
(CANFAR). The focus of our two-day meeting in Ottawa was a discussion with parliamentarians
about the objectives of The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada and the
accountability of all partners to honour the goals of the Federal Initiative. During this meeting
the OAN met with 40 Members of Parliament including the following members of the
Government:

Colin Carrie (MP for Oshawa), Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Health Leona
Aglukkaq
Bal Gosal, Minister of State Sport

Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources
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and Opposition health critics:

Dr. Hedy Fry, Liberal Party

Libby Davies, New Democratic Party
During our meetings with MPs and senior officials of the Public Health Agency of Canada, we
delivered our message about how effective we have been in HIV prevention:
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From 2001-2009, community-based HIV prevention programs in Ontario saved the
medical system a total of $3.4 billion (CDN) and averted approximately 12,087 HIV
Infections (cases) in Ontario
For every dollar invested from 2006-2009, prevention programs in Ontario helped save
the Ontario public medical system $51, a 50:1 return on investment
In order to ensure that we had the most up to date information about the future federal funding
structure for HIV/AIDS to discuss with MPs during our meetings in Ottawa, and to present to
our membership, the OAN completed an Access to Information Request. We were successful
In obtaining a copy of the report prepared by the accounting firm Raymond Chabot Grant
Thornton for the Public Health Agency of Canada. A detailed analysis of this report was
presented at our May 2012 Annual General Meeting by the OAN’s Executive Director.
This year the OAN Board of Directors worked together with a member driven task force to
create a policy position that responded to an invitation from the Public Health Agency of
Canada to articulate the OAN’s recommendation for the possible restructuring of PHAC’s
Investment in Community-based HIV Prevention Programs. The OAN is recommending a new
approach to the delivery of federal funding that will create a more coordinated and accountable
response at the national and regional level
The Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was our guest
of honour at our Honour Roll banquet this year. We were encouraged by her message of the
Ministry’s commitment to our work.
A priority within the OAN’s strategic plan is the Greater involvement of People with HIV/AIDS
(GIPA). The OAN was pleased to lead the initiative that resulted in the creation of the Ontario
Accord on GIPA. The Accord has been a catalyst within the OAN by sparking new conversations
about GIPA. To date 15 of our partner agencies have formally endorsed the Accord. We were
pleased that the Ontario Accord has also received international recognition: it has been
formally endorsed by GNP+ North America and the Living Positive Victoria of Melbourne,
Australia.
During our 2012 AGM, the OAN membership voted to endorse a position that calls for the
provision of vaccine against the Human papillomavirus (HPV) for boys and young men. Work is
underway at the OAN to inform policy makers of the vaccine’s importance in improving and
protecting the lives of Ontarians, particularly gay men and people who become HIV-positive.
At the provincial level the OAN took action in support of the campaign to create prosecutorial
guidelines for cases of non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners. The Co-Chairs wrote to
the Ontario Attorney General to express our concern about the rising number of criminal
prosecutions and the fact that the Crown’s actions are contrary to UNAIDS guidelines and the
practices of other democratic jurisdictions. Consensual sex is a private matter. HIV and other
sexually transmitted diseases should be treated as public health issues, not matters for criminal
law. We helped to reinforce that message by supporting an ongoing campaign to send 2500
postcards to the Attorney General which called for prosecutorial guidelines.
2012-2013 the first year that the OAN operated under its new Bylaw # 3 that was created by the
OAN membership in accordance with the new Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. The
changes were made to ensure that the voting membership within the OAN consists of
community-elected leadership
of AIDS service organizations and that our valued partners in the community, who will be known
as Affiliates, continue to have the opportunity to participate and be part of our work.
To ensure that our membership and affiliates were well informed about this change, the OAN
Executive met with members and affiliates who wished clarification about the new categories
for participation within the OAN and the equitable application of membership fees. In order to
give us time to assess the impact of the new by-law, the OAN Board of Directors has placed a
moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for Membership or Affiliate status. We will
be revisiting the membership criteria once we have the opportunity to review the impact of shifts
in federal funding during the coming year.
This year the Board of Directors formulated new criteria to create a more accessible
nominations process for the OAN Honour Roll in keeping with our values of recognizing
exceptional achievement and our commitments to diversity and the greater involvement of
people with HIV/AIDS.
The Board held a two-day planning and orientation retreat which also gave us the opportunity
to reflect on the work of the OAN and to formulate a work plan and committees. As part of our
commitment to provincial partnerships, we also assisted the Ontario HIV Treatment Network
(OHTN) with nominations to their Board of Directors.
It has been a very productive year. We are grateful for the support and engagement of our
members and affiliates and for the dedicated management and staff at the OAN. Together we
have made a difference.
Kevin Murphy
Stacey Mayhall
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Message from the Executive Director
The OAN’s focus during this past year was on promoting the Ontario Accord: the Greater
Involvement and Meaningful Engagement of People with HIV/AIDS. We shone our spotlight
on the GIPA principle and offered increased opportunities for HIV-positive people to become
involved in our work, to participate in leadership development and help us develop tools and
resources that will make a difference in the lives of HIV-positive individuals in Ontario and
beyond.
In Ontario our member agencies led the way in their communities by making a meaningful
commitment to GIPA and the Ontario Accord. We have been pleased to present 15 GIPA
recognition plaques to agencies that have shown they are making an intentional commitment
and plan to support GIPA. Many agencies organized awareness-raising events. Tara Jewal,
David Hoe and I were invited by the AIDS Network in Hamilton to present a full-day workshop
to its staff and community partners. In addition I was honoured to be the keynote speaker for
the Hamilton AIDS Vigil. The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) also invited me to
present GIPA workshops at their staff retreat and to the OHTN research team that supports the
OHTN cohort study.
It was an honour to be the Alberta Community Council on HIV/AIDS’ keynote speaker at their
Annual General Meeting of member agencies to share Ontario’s work in support of the GIPA
principle. At this same Alberta meeting Kath Webster, of our partner agency, the Pacific AIDS
Network, and I co-presented a workshop introducing the Positive Leadership Development
Institute™ (PLDI™) and the impact it is having on HIV-positive leaders in BC and Ontario.
At the request of the Alberta Community Council on HIV/AIDS, I was subsequently invited to
be the plenary speaker at the opening session of the Alberta Positive Voices Conference in
Lethbridge in March 2013, a meeting attended by more than 100 HIV-positive people. Tara
Jewal, the Coordinator of PLDI™, and I presented a workshop to introduce the work of the
Positive Leadership Development Institute™.
The result was that the OAN has now been requested to provide the first-ever training by the
Positive Leadership Development Institute™ in Alberta. The first four-day workshop will take
place in Edmonton in July 2013.
The OAN continued its work in partnership with the Pacific AIDS Network this past year and
was successful in a joint fundraising application to the MAC AIDS fund to support the
development of additional PLDI™ trainers in British Columbia and Ontario.
To highlight Ontario’s work on the GIPA principle, I was pleased to make a presentation on the
Ontario Accord at the Canada booth during the International AIDS Conference in Washington
in August 2012.
The Canadian Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (CANAC) invited me to be part of their
plenary panel presentation on the history of AIDS activism during the CANAC national
conference in Toronto.
An exciting development in the work of the OAN has been a growing partnership with Positive
Living Victoria based in Melbourne, Australia. During the International AIDS Conference in
Washington in July 2012, we met with Brent Allan, the Executive Director of Positive Living
Victoria to discuss the Ontario Accord on GIPA and the OAN’s Positive Leadership
Development Institute™. This resulted in the visit of an Australian delegation of three people
to take the first phase of the Positive Leadership Development training. The session was cofacilitated by Tara Jewal and myself with assistance from Joseph Babcock and Brigid Young.
Our guests were enthusiastic about the potential for this program to be offered in Australia. The
Gay News Network (GNN) in Australia had this to say about their PLDI™ experience:
As one of the only leadership and resilience building courses in the world which are PLHIV
peer-led and driven, this Canadian leadership development course has resonated with the
Australian participants in the course who have arrived back to Australia with the enthusiasm
and challenge of adapting this course for use in the Australian PLHIV community.
Part of our work to improve the lives of people who are HIV-positive is advocacy on their behalf.
The OAN membership at its 2012 Annual General Meeting endorsed a position statement
calling for the provision of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to boys and young men. The
presence of HPV in HIV-positive men and women has been linked to an increased risk of
cancer. In order to join with other organizations that are starting to take positions on this issue,
the OAN held a meeting with the Ontario Division of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and
communicated with the national and BC offices of CCS.
The issue of the criminalization of non-disclosure of HIV status and the extraordinary
application of the law in Ontario in relation to HIV has increased fear and stigma. The OAN
membership has adopted the UNAIDS guidelines on HIV and non-disclosure and is concerned
about the increasing number of prosecutions in Ontario. The OAN has supported campaigns to
raise awareness of the issue and to call for the creation of prosecutorial guidelines. The OAN is
exploring possible alternatives to prosecutions such as the possibility of a community mediation
process that would offer an alternative before criminal charges are laid. This year I was pleased
to be a co-presenter on the Canadian Perspective on the Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure
at a plenary session on Criminalization of Non-Disclosure, in San Antonio, Texas. In an effort to
enable people with HIV and AIDS service organizations to have a more meaningful dialogue on
the many facets of disclosure, the OAN, in partnership with the Positive Leadership
Development Institute™, convened a summit meeting at which 86 HIV-positive participants
from all over Ontario contributed their collective voice and individual wisdom to support the
creation of a guidebook on disclosure which will benefit both PHAs and ASOs.
This year the OAN has focused on improving its services and connections with member agencies
and affiliates. The OAN has helped our member agencies to increase their communications
capacity by offering them new workshops on media training and the use of social media. The
OAN itself has become more actively involved in using social media: OAN and PLDI™ now have
their own Facebook pages. To enhance the fundraising effectiveness of our member agencies,
the OAN has purchased a state-of-the-art online fundraising package that will assist members
with campaigns, online pledges and ticket sales for special events.
Our work in outreach and our mutual accountability has continued at both the federal and
provincial levels. We did transformative work at the People, Policy and Progress Event in Ottawa in partnership with the Pacific AIDS Network (PAN), the Alberta Community Council on
HIV (ACCH), the Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le SIDA
(COCQ-SIDA) and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR). This initiative
helped to strengthen our partnerships with regional agencies and to raise the profile with policy
makers of regional capacity and the need to support the front-line response to HIV/AIDS.
This past year I met with Ontario government ministers Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and
Long-Term Care, and Glen Murray, Minister of Transportation, to discuss issues of concern
within Ontario.
All of our work has been made possible by the inspiring leadership of our Board of Directors,
the talent and commitment of the OAN staff team, and OAN members and affiliates who have
both led and supported us in all that we do and by the many individual donors, organizations
and funders who support our work.
My thanks to each one of you,
Rick Kennedy, Executive Director
Who We Are
Who We Are
The Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) is a coalition of people with HIV and AIDS (PHAs), AIDS
Service Organizations and AIDS Service Programs, who work collectively to provide a just,
effective response to HIV and AIDS, improve life for people infected with and affected by HIV
and AIDS, and prevent the spread of the virus.
We create a forum where members debate key prevention, treatment and advocacy issues. We
create opportunities for people with HIV and AIDS and community-based organizations to
share experiences and develop new skills. The OAN also works to give the community-based
HIV and AIDS sector a collective voice. Our members have used that voice effectively – to
advocate successfully for funding for HIV and AIDS services, to actively promote the greater
involvement of people with HIV and AIDS, and to speak loudly on issues that affect the rights
and well-being of people with HIV and AIDS, such as income and housing supports for people
with HIV.
Our Vision
The Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) leads and inspires a strong, shared, effective response to HIV
and AIDS in Ontario.
Our Mission
The OAN strives to unite those working to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Ontario. We
pursue social justice for people with HIV and AIDS and help our members build skills and
capacity.
Our Values
Our work with individuals, organizations, communities and government is inspired by the
following values:
Involvement & Empowerment:
We are committed to the principles of the Greater Involvement of People with HIV
and AIDS (GIPA) and MIPA (the Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV and
AIDS). As a network of person-centered, community-based organizations, we recognize the individual right to self-determination.
We provide meaningful opportunities for all people with HIV and AIDS to become
involved and accountable, to lead and share power.
Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression:
We challenge racism, prejudice and all other forms of discrimination.
Awareness:
We recognize public support is essential to fulfill our mission. We continually
work to raise awareness of the needs, rights and abilities of people with HIV and
AIDS and people affected, as well as, the importance of HIV prevention.
Harm Reduction:
We are dedicated to reducing the risks that threaten people’s health and contribute to the HIV epidemic. We advocate a harm reduction approach to HIV prevention. We recognize the day-to-day struggles of people with HIV, and actively promote the outreach and support services that respect their rights and help them
achieve their goals.
Evidence-Informed Practice:
We seek wisdom from the community to inform and guide our work. We use
knowledge from scientific research and from community practice to inform and
guide our work. We accept the overwhelming scientific evidence that HIV is the
cause of AIDS.
Innovation:
We are continually seeking new and better ways to fulfill our mission. The
following values shape the way we work together.
Commonality of Purpose:
We seek a just and effective response to HIV and AIDS in Ontario. We are striving
to create a community that embraces a diversity of opinions but shares a common
purpose - where all members feel a sense of belonging. We support each other and
collaborate to achieve common goals.
Diversity:
We value diversity, and strive to reflect the diversity of our members and
communities in all our work. We advocate for services that are culturally
appropriate and respectful.
Respect:
We demonstrate respect for individuals, agencies, and communities and value the
contributions all our staff and volunteers make to our work.
Accountability:
We are accountable to our members, our funders, the public of the province of
Ontario, and persons affected by the virus for the quality of our work and the
stewardship of our resources.
Confidentiality:
We promote and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality in all our work.
Transparency:
We are committed to openness and honesty in our work and in our relationships
with each other.
Sex Positive:
We support a sex-positive approach to HIV and AIDS prevention and education.
On August 13, 1993 the OAN was incorporated to:
·
Establish a province wide coalition of community based organizations to
improve the quality and length of life of those infected and affected by HIV
disease
·
Establish a just and effective response to AIDS in order to enhance the
ability to continue to prevent the spread of HIV disease and for the benefit
of the general public
·
Educate the public about AIDS
In Memoriam
John Plater was a valiant champion in our fight
against HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Co- infection and
Hemophilia. He was 45.
John was a lawyer by training and an activist by
nature. He was open about his HIV-positive status
since the mid 1980s. For more than 25 years John
provided dedicated and valiant leadership to improve
the health of
all of us. With his quiet determination and legal
training, John opened many doors and was
committed to improving the lives of all,
particularly the lives of people living
with HIV/AIDS, HCV ( Hepatitis C),
co-infection and hemophilia. He was a champion for
all and opposed the criminalization of HIV.
John Plater
June 1, 1967 – July 28, 2012
John served as a powerful advocate of people living
with HIV and those living with Hepatitis C. He became
the youngest President of Hemophilia Ontario in 1991 and served again in that position from
2001-2003 and 2004-2006. He served on the National Board of the Canadian Hemophilia
Society for 14 years and chaired the Canadian Hemophilia Society’s HIV/HCV Task Force for
many years. He was an honorary life member of Hemophilia Ontario.
John was Co-Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council on The Federal Initiative HIV/AIDS
from 2007-2011. He had served previously as the Co-Chair of the Ontario Advisory Council on
HIV/AIDS (OACHA) and as Chair of the Ontario Hepatitis C Task force. He chaired the HIV/
AIDS Community Advisory Panel of St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto) for several years and for a
brief time on the Board of the HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario (HALCO).
Jay was a mentor, a leader, a friend, and for many of us he
became both the conscience and soul of the AIDS community in
Ontario. Some have HIV as a diagnosis; others live with it
courageously as part of their deep caring for others. Although
he was not HIV-positive, Jay Browne lived with HIV from the
moment it entered his life and he never stopped caring for the
AIDS community. His kindness, compassion, and respect for
those living with HIV and AIDS are renowned. Jay was a leading
voice in encouraging people who are HIV-positive to speak on
their own behalf and to take charge of their lives.
Dr. Jay Browne
December 31, 1930 –
His contributions to the AIDS movement in Ontario are imJanuary 13, 2013
mense and lasting. In 1985 Jay was appointed Chair of the
Ontario Public Education Panel on AIDS (OPEPA). During his tenure as Chair, Jay was instrumental
in helping the Ontario government launch one of its most highly successful prevention and education
campaigns. He continued in this role until a new Ontario AIDS Advisory Committee was formed in
1989. Jay then became a member of the Ontario AIDS Advisory Committee until his appointment as
Coordinator of AIDS Programs for Ontario in 1991. After his retired from that position in 1996 the
Ministry of Health named the Ontario Public Health Laboratory for Viral Load Testing in his honour.
In recognition of his immense contribution to the province, Jay was named to the Ontario AIDS Network’s Honour Roll and was one of its very first recipients in 1996.
Dr. Jay Browne cont.
Jay came out of retirement briefly to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Ontario HIV
Treatment Network (OHTN) from 2003 to 2004. In celebration of his many achievements,
OHTN created the Jay Brown Living Legacy Award in recognition of all those who contributed
to Ontario’s response to HIV in 2009. Jay continued to serve the community he loved as an
active Honorary Member of the Board of OHTN until January 2013.
Jay encouraged us to take pride in our history and to continue to honour the many
accomplishments of the AIDS movement in Ontario. It was his vision to create Project
Remember (www.projectremember.ca) wherein the rich legacy of the AIDS movement and the
lives of those who have led us are honoured and remembered.
In 2012 Jay Brown received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his
leadership, spirit and contribution to the AIDS Community. When receiving the award, Jay
requested that his medal be presented to the AIDS community where it will remain with those
who continue to fight to defeat AIDS.
Jay was with us from the beginning. He inspired and led us through the most difficult and
demanding days of the AIDS crisis. We are deeply grateful and in remain in awe of the man we
have known, His spirit lives.
Ken Buchanan
April 23, 1957 – April 15, 2013
The Ontario AIDS Network and our partner organization, the Pacific AIDS Network, mourn
the death of Ken Buchanan. Ken was a friend, mentor and leader in the HIV /AIDS movement.
Ken had been HIV-positive since 2004 and was co-infected with Hepatitis C.
Ken made numerous and lasting contributions to the HIV/AIDS movement. He served for
seven years on the Executive of the Board of Directors of Positive Living BC, including the position of Chair, until he resigned in October 2012 because of health-related concerns. He also
served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network where he supported
their efforts to overcome the harm being done by the criminalization of non-disclosure of HIV.
Ken was a former Board member of the Canadian Treatment Action Council and served on the
Therapeutic Guidelines Committee of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
Ken was a graduate of the Positive Leadership Development Institute™ and actively supported
the development of our partnership with the Pacific AIDS Network in supporting the Positive
Leadership Development Institute. His enthusiastic support helped the growth of this program
in British Columbia. Ken was kind, generous and highly dedicated. We will greatly miss him.
OAN Honour Roll 2012
The Ontario AIDS Network’s Honour Roll is Ontario’s highest award in recognizing dedication,
compassion and excellence in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The Ontario AIDS Network
Honour Roll Awards were created in 1996. The Honour Roll acknowledges the long-term and
consistent contributions of individuals or organizations that use their experiences, skills,
resources and voices to champion the cause of HIV/AIDS. The Honour Roll recognizes
innovative and pioneering work towards developing best practices and increasing the capacity
of the community-based AIDS movement in Ontario.
Recipients have contributed to reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and
AIDS, promoted the empowerment of People Living with HIV and AIDS and extended the
capacity of the community movement as a major response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in
Ontario.
This year the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was our
guest speaker. Tom Allison and Diane provided amazing musical entertainment.
We thank our gracious sponsors, ViiV Healthcare in partnership with Shire, BMO Financial
Group and Gilead, for their support.
This year’s inductees continue to exemplify a remarkable commitment to our sector and our
community of people living with, and affected by, HIV/AIDS. They have modelled the way in
leadership, advocacy and service and are part of the enduring legacy of the AIDS movement.
Persons with HIV/AIDS Leadership Award: Robert Newman
This award honours a person with HIV/AIDS who openly demonstrates resilience, providing
inspiration and leadership advocating for all people with HIV/AIDS. Recipients of the award
display leadership in the face of challenge, inspire community action and reinforce the principles of community values while aspiring to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Rob Newman was diagnosed in December of 1990 along with his partner Kim and two of their
three young children. The family went public nationally with their HIV diagnosis to bring awareness to children and families living with HIV/AIDS. Sadly, they lost Kim only two years later and
the eldest son Robby soon after; still, the family unit marched on. The eldest child Jennifer went
on to win the Ontario Junior Citizen of the year award for her work in the AIDS movement and
the youngest son Tom spent time in Johannesburg, South Africa, working at Nkosis Haven, an
orphanage for children and mothers living with HIV/AIDS. Today Rob works as a Peer Support
Worker at the Regional HIV/ AIDS Connection (London and six counties in southwestern Ontario) and attributes any accolades for his work in HIV/AIDS to the bond he shares with his two
children and their passion that has changed, enriched and directed their lives.
Caregivers Award: Robin Rhodes
This award is bestowed upon an individual or organization that works or volunteers in the
direct provision of supportive care for people living with HIV/AIDS through the delivery of
front-line service or treatment. Recipients of this award inspire hope and dignity with
compassion and respect.
Robin Rhodes has been a staff member for 13 years with The AIDS Committee of Toronto
(ACT) and serves as the Community Support Programs Coordinator. He coordinates and
oversees a variety of client- centered programs and volunteers, manages a client case load, and
organizes seven annual community health forums. Robin sits on several committees, both
internal and external to The AIDS Committee of Toronto, and participates in an advisory
capacity on a number of community professional committees and working groups. He has for
the past five years, and continues to be, a mentor with University College, University of Toronto
Student Mentorship Program, specifically in sexual diversity.
Community Partners Award: Dr. Barry Adam
This award recognizes an individual or organization that works or volunteers directly or indirectly in the provision of community support through the provision of resources, research
or treatment to improve quality of life and dignity for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Barry D. Adam is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Windsor and is Senior Scientist and Director of Prevention Research at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network. Barry has
an extensive background in community-based research into HIV prevention and issues of living
with HIV. His current work includes: HIV prevention and sexual health programming for HIV
positive men; HIV vulnerability among Spanish and Portuguese speaking men who have sex
with men; the impacts of criminal prosecutions for HIV exposure and transmission on people
living with HIV; the sexual health vulnerabilities of transmen; and the impacts of the introduction of marriage on same sex couples. He also leads a multidisciplinary collaborative partnership combining molecular epidemiology, sociology, and clinical practice to bring multiple tools
to bear on advancing HIV prevention.
OAN Programs
Skills Development:
The OAN Skills Development Program provides skills-based educational workshops to its
member agencies. The program is funded by the AIDS Bureau of the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care.
The purpose of the program is to build capacity for the day-to-day running of AIDS service
organizations and to support staff to better serve people infected, affected and at risk of HIV
infection. The program also provides resources and tools to promote best practices. In addition, the workshops help strengthen networks between organizations. The result is more effective, self-sufficient, professional and cohesive organizations with an increased impact on
the HIV epidemic across Ontario.
This year the Skills Development Program offered eight capacity-building workshops for the
following ASO professional groups: Support Workers; Administrative Coordinators; combined Fundraisers and Volunteer Coordinators; and HIV Prevention Educators. We held an
Executive Directors and Board Chairs workshop, a retreat for Executive Directors, and a firsttime
workshop for Board Chairs and Vice-Chairs. The first-time workshop for Board
Chairs and Vice-Chairs was well received and will be offered again in the next fiscal year.
200 staff of OAN member agencies participated in the program during 2012/2013.
Emerging themes and topics that were discussed at the various workshops included, but were
not limited to:
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Complementary therapies; Impact of trauma and building resilience – Support Workers
Providing effective communication and feedback; e-mail etiquette – Administrative
Coordinators
Just Do It! Making the Ask – Fundraisers
Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement: A framework for best practices – Volunteer
Coordinators
Anxiety and its relation to sexual health: what can prevention educators do about it? –
Educators
Alternative and flexible work arrangements – Executive Directors’ retreat
Social media and the workplace – Executive Directors’ retreat
ASO Board roles and responsibilities – Board Chairs and Vice Chairs
The Evidenced-Based Practice Unit of the Ontario HIV Treatment Network also did a number
of presentations to various groups on the OCHART/OCASE reporting tool [Ontario Community
HIV/AIDS Reporting Tool; Ontario Community-based AIDS Services and Evaluation].
Once again we offered three media training workshops. These were in-depth workshops that
focused on the various types of media and interviews and gave attendees the opportunity to
practise doing interviews. Because of the in-depth nature of the workshops, attendance was
limited to four or five people.
An evaluation is done after every workshop which asks questions about both the individual sessions and the workshop as a whole. At the end of each evaluation, participants are asked for
suggested topics for the next workshop as well as other comments they wish to include. The
evaluations are always used to inform the content of future workshops. The data from the most
current OCHART Report is also used to inform content.
The Positive Leadership Development Institute™ (PLDI™) exists to support people with
HIV/AIDS to realize their leadership potential and increase their capacity to participate
meaningfully in community life. A partnership between the Ontario AIDS Network and the
Pacific AIDS Network, the PLDI™ honours the leadership of the past, values the leadership of today and inspires leadership for the future.
The following curriculum objectives of the leadership training provide participants with the
opportunity to:
Understand the principles and commitments of leadership
Realize individual leadership potential
Participate in building a network of leaders within the PHA community
Realize the potential and strengths that each individual brings to the network
Learn about and practise leadership skills in a safe environment
Inspire others to become leaders
Encourage participants to take on facilitator and mentoring roles in the community
Expand participants’ awareness of our community
The PLDI™ training includes three levels:
Phase I:
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
Who am I as a Leader?
Bored? Get on Board!
Communications
This year PLDI™ succeeded in securing a two-year grant from MAC AIDS which we applied
for with our partner, the Pacific AIDS Network.
We welcome two new facilitators, Joseph Babcock and Bridget Young, who have completed
training.
In March 2013 we hosted an alumni event for PLDI™ graduates which 83 PHAs attended. Ed
Argo was honoured at this event for his dedication and vision. During the event, PLDI™
graduates worked together develop a Healthy Disclosure guide for ASOs. The guide will be
completed later in 2013.
The Ontario AIDS Network and PLDI™ were invited to Alberta to share information about
training. We will be offering our Phase 1 training, Who am I as A leader? in Alberta during
June 2013.
Earlier this year three guests from Australia came to Ontario to attend Phase 1 training, Who
am I as A leader? PLDI™ is honored to be working with Australian partners and will be
launching a pilot program in July for PLDI™ Australia.
The Positive Leadership Development Institute™ is funded in part through financial contributions from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Proceeds
from the OAN Honour Roll banquet also supported the PLDI™ work in Ontario.
Community-based Research Program
This year marked the final year of the OAN’s staff support for community Based Research.
In 2012 -13 the OAN ‘s CBR program assisted Asian Community AIDS Services(ACAS), the
AIDS Committee of Guelph, the Centre for Spanish Speaking People , Women’s Health in
Women’s Hands with the formulation of research questions and developing projects that received funding.
During the more than 12 years that the OAN hosted the CBR program we supported the development of many research projects both large and small that made a positive impact on the work
of our member agencies and the communities that they serve. Most notably our research work
on housing, the effect of funding disparities, the need for a centralized response for HIV in Ontario, and new models of PHA engagement have all been informed by our community based research program.
The OAN’s decision to withdraw from offering CBR support is made in the context of recent
changes in the funding landscape and our own organizational priorities identified within our
strategic plan. We also acknowledge that Ontario’s CBR needs are being very well served by the
Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN.) Although the OAN will no longer be actively conducting community based research we will continue to support priorities for research that align
with our strategic plan. Community members will continue to have a strong and effective voice
in shaping the community based research agenda through our ongoing relationship with the
OHTN that grants the OAN the right to nominate the majority of seats on the OHTN Board of
Directors.
We are very proud of the work that has been accomplished over the years and in particular we
would like to thank Ruth Cameron our Community Based Research Facilitator for her many
efforts in supporting the CBR program for the past 2 years.
Ontario Provincial Resource for ASOs in Human
Resources (OPRAH)
The Ontario Provincial Resources for ASOs in Human Resources (OPRAH) program continued to develop program stability and enhance service delivery in 2012. The OPRAH program
has continued to gain credibility in our sector with several agencies accessing support and
tools provided through the OPRAH program for the first time.
During the 2012-2013 fiscal year the number of agencies continuing to access services remained
relatively constant although there was a slight decrease in total consulting hours of 6.8%. This
indicates that the program is achieving its goal of building capacity for human resource issues.
The data on program utilization has demonstrated some stability in the number of hours and
agencies accessing service year-over-year but the number of hours from month-to-month
continues to vary annually. For example, the program experienced a peak of utilization in August
2011 while in August 2012 utilization was almost at a record low.
During the 2012-2013 fiscal year the need for labour relations advice, particularly with special
requests for assistance with collective bargaining, continued to be a trend. This created high
demands and utilization well over the monthly average in April, October and November 2012 and
in January 2013. The OPRAH program supported negotiations resulting in three first collective
agreements being reached without labour disruption.
Training and skills continued to be a focus in 2012-2013 for the OPRAH program. We offered
sessions on a variety of topics, including: The Board’s Role in Human Resources; Alternative and
Flexible Work Arrangements; Social Media and Human Resources Issues; Managing in a
Unionized Environment; and Development of Human Resources Skills for Middle Managers.
OPRAH also developed an online learning presentation on health and safety for the Ontario AIDS
Network’s Positive Learning Centre.
The OPRAH program is led by Colter HR Inc. and is a program funded by the AIDS Bureau, AIDS
and Hepatitis C Programs, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, with additional
support from OAN membership and affiliate fees.
Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance™
The Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) is a network of frontline educators, outreach
workers, researchers, public health workers, policy makers, funders and community members
working in Ontario to reduce HIV transmission and improve the sexual health of gay, bi,
queer, trans men ,two-spirit and other men who have sex with men. The network consists
primarily of people working with HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as key partners in
research, public health, health care and public policy, and
community members.
GMSH Site Visits
Last year the GMSH completed its first strategic plan:“Generating Learning and Practices”.
This year the GMSH office carried out site visits across the province with ASOs and gay men's
programs connected the GMSH network to create an opportunity for agencies to respond to the
strategic plan, explore their relationship to the GMSH network, talk about the work they are
engaged with locally, and the successes, challenges and opportunities in the work and ways in
which the GMSH can support that work.
These visits are almost completed and have offered valuable insight into GMSH initiatives and
how they connect to local gay men's programs. The visits have also supported the GMSH to
evolve as it becomes a self generated network.
GMSH Alliance Meetings
The GMSH continues to bring the GMSH network together for quarterly meetings, are an opportunity to provide training on emerging gay men's sexual health needs, provide input on resources being developed, form working groups on areas of focus, and connect as a network and
learn from the work that is happening provincially. In addition the GMSH relies on work
groups to help it meet short term objectives and long term goals
This past year our work has been enriched by the Poz Prevention Working Group, Gay Bi
Queer Trans Men's Working Group, Campaign Working Group, Summit Planning Committee,
Research Working Group, and the Rural and Suburban Working Group.
The Sex You Want - The Lowdown on Undetectable Viral Load
The GMSH and AIDS Committee of Toronto ( ACT) partnership "The Sex You Want" was updated this year to engage in the conversation about the effectiveness of undetectable viral load
as an HIV prevention strategy. The Sex You Want was designed to tackle the advanced questions hat gay and bisexual guys have about sex, pleasure and risk. The "Lowdown on Undetectable Viral Loads" update acknowledged the advances in treatment, the emerging science on undetectable viral load and HIV transmission, and also raised awareness of the lack of research
conducted that would be relevant for gay men.
GMSH/ACCHO Learning Institute
The GMSH partnered with African Caribbean Community Council on HIV /AIDS in Ontario
(ACCHO) to develop a workshop exploring the intersectionality of racism and homophobia. It
was designed to create dialogue about how the provincial strategies on HIV/AIDS and strategy
workers could break down silos in our work, understand the impact of racism and homophobia
on health and wellbeing, and how systemic barriers emerge that may prevent access to services.
Staff Members
Daniel Pugh – Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Coordinator
Owen McEwen – Director of Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance
OAN Budget Allocation for the Year 2012-2013
Gay Men’s Sexual Health
(GMSH)
354,797.73
GMSH prevention campaign
Board
23,528.31
849,389.48
Community-based
Research
67,764.61
Skills Training
464,476.60
Positive Leadership Development
Institute™
265,246.04
OPRAH HR training
133,359.80
Honour Roll
21,368.62
Administration
124,577.87
Policy Development
47,710.64
Members
Total
9,474.96
2,361
694.65
Thanks to our supporters and volunteers:
We are grateful to our many dedicated volunteers for the OAN Honour Roll
David Hoe
Bob Leahy
Lena Soje
Ruthann Tucker
Scott Wade
Thanks to our Supporters:
The Ontario AIDS Network gratefully acknowledges the generous support of individuals
across Ontario who contributed to our work through private donations.
The Ontario AIDS Network thanks our funders and corporate sponsors for their support and
commitment throughout the past year:
AIDS Bureau, AIDS and Hepatitis C Programs, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Public Health Agency of Canada
BMO Financial Group
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Federated Health Charities
Gilead
MAC AIDS Fund
Ontario Public Service Union (OPSEU), “Live and Let Live” Fund
ViiV Healthcare in partnership with Shire
The Ontario AIDS Network gratefully acknowledges the pro bono services donated by:
Shepell-FGI
Ontario AIDS Network Board of Directors:
Lynne Cioppa
James Gough
Kevin Hatt
Richard Hubley, Secretary
Joanne Lindsay
Ron Lirette
John MacTavish, Treasurer
Precious Maseko
Stacey Mayhall, Co-Chair
Kevin Murphy, Co-Chair
Bruce Rankin
Ontario AIDS Network Staff (As of April 1, 2013)
Ruth Cameron (resigned January 2013)
Michele Cherry, Manager of Skills Development
Romilson Garcia, Manager of Finance & Administration
Tara Jewal, Coordinator and Trainer, Positive Leadership Development Institute™
Rick Kennedy, Executive Director
Ontario Provincial Resource for ASOs in HR (OPRAH)
Brock Coulter consultant ( 3 days per week)
Christine (trainer)
Gay Mens’ Sexual Health Alliance
Owen McEwen, Director, Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance
Daniel Pugh, Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Coordinator, Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance
Jeremy Tudor Price Social Media Consultant
Richard Ash- Administrative support (3 month part time contract)
MEMBERS – LISTED BY REGION
CENTRAL REGION
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
145 Front St. East, Ste. 105
Toronto, ON M5A 1E3
Phone: 416-944-9300
Africans in Partnership Against AIDS
314 Jarvis Street, Suite 101
Toronto, ON M5B 2C5
Phone: 416-924-5256 ext. 301
AIDS Committee of Toronto
399 Church St., 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5B 2J6
Phone: 416-340-2437
Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention
120 Carlton St. #315
Toronto, ON M5A 4K3
Phone: 416-599-2727
Asian Community AIDS Services
260 Spadina Avenue, #410
Toronto, ON M5T 2E4
Hemophilia Ontario
65 Wellesley Street East, Suite 501
Toronto, ON M4Y 1G7
Phone: 519-432-2365
HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario
65 Wellesley St. East, #400
Toronto, ON M4Y 1G7
Phone: 416-340-7790
OAHAS
201 – 7 Hayden Street
Toronto, ON M4Y 2P2
PASAN
314 Jarvis Street, Suite 100
Toronto, ON M5B 2C5
Phone: 416-920-9567
The Teresa Group
124 Merton Street, #104
Toronto, ON M4S 2Z2
Phone: 416-596-7703
Phone:
Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention
20 Victoria Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 2N8
Phone: 416-977-9955
Toronto PWA Foundation
200 Gerrard St. East, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5A 2E6
Phone: 416-506-1400
WESTERN REGION
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
555 Richmond St. West, #505, Box 1104
Toronto, ON M5V 3B1
Phone: 1-800-263-1638
AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener,
Waterloo & Area
2B - 625 King Street East
Kitchener, ON N2G 4V4
Phone: 519-570-3687
Fife House Foundation
490 Sherbourne St., 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M4X 1K9
Phone: 416-205-9888
AIDS Committee of Guelph & Wellington
County
89 Dawson Road, Unit 115
Guelph, ON N1H 1B1
Phone: 519-763-2255
AIDS Committee of Windsor
511 Pelissier Street
Windsor, ON N9A 4L2
Phone: 519-973-0222
AIDS Committee of Simcoe County
80 Bradford St., #555
Barrie, ON L4N 6S7
Phone: 705-722-6778
AIDS Niagara
120 Queenston St.
St. Catharines, ON L2R 2Z3
Phone: 905-984-8684
AIDS Committee of York Region
194 Eagle St. East
Newmarket, ON L3Y 1J6
Phone: 905-953-0248
John Gordon Home
(London Regional AIDS Hospice)
596 Pall Mall St.
London, ON N5Y 2Z9
Phone: 519-433-3951 ext. 237
Bruce House
402 – 251 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3
Phone: 613-729-0911
Peel HIV/AIDS Network
160 Traders Blvd., Unit 1
Mississauga, ON L4Z 3K7
Phone: 905-361-0523
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection
(formerly AIDS Committee of London)
186 King Street, Suite #30
Phone: 519-434-1601
The AIDS Network
140 King Street East, Suite 101
Hamilton, ON L8N 1B2
Phone: 905-528-0854 ext. 229,
EASTERN REGION
AIDS Committee of Durham
22 King St. West, #202
Oshawa, ON L1H 1A3
Phone: 905-576-1445
AIDS Committee of Ottawa
251 Bank Street, Suite 700
Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3
Phone: 613-238-5014
HIV/AIDS Regional Services
844A Princess St.
Kingston, ON K7L 1G5
Phone: 613-545-3698
Peterborough AIDS Resource Network
159 King Street #302
Peterborough, ON K9J 2R8
Phone: 1-800-361-2895 or: 705-749-9110
NORTHERN REGION
AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area
269 Main Street West, #201
North Bay, ON P1B 2T8
Phone: 705-497-3560
AIDS Thunder Bay
574 Memorial Avenue
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z2
Phone: 807-345-1516
Réseau ACCESS Network
(Formerly Access AIDS Network)
111 Elm St., #203
Sudbury, ON P3C 1T3
Phone: 705-688-0500 or 1-800-465-2437
AFFILIATES – LISTED BY REGION
CENTRAL REGION
African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario
20 Victoria Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 2N8
Phone: 416-977-9955 ext. 292
AIDS Action Now!
Contact: Tim McCaskell
Casey House
9 Huntley Street
Toronto, ON M4Y 2K8
Phone: 416-962-7600
Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples – AIDS Program
40 Wellesley St. East, Suite 405, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M4Y 1G4
Phone: 416-925-2800 ext. 225
David Kelley HIV/AIDS Community Counselling Program, Family Service Association of Toronto
355 Church St.
Toronto, ON M5B 1Z8
Phone: 416-595-0307
The Ontario HIV Treatment Network
1300 Yonge Street, Suite 600
Toronto, ON M4T 1X3
Phone: 416-642-6486 or 1-877-743-6486
Toronto Prostitutes’ Community Service Project (Maggie’s)
298A Gerrard St. E., 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5A 2G7
Phone: 416-964-0150
WESTERN REGION
Assoc. of Iroquois and Allied Indians
387 Princess Ave.
London, ON N6B 2A7
AIDS Program of the Iroquois & Allied Indians
Phone: 519-434-2761
NORTHERN REGION
Group Health Centre, HIV/AIDS Program
240 McNabb Street
Sault Ste. Marie ON P6B 1Y5
Phone: 705-759-1234
Ontario First Nations HIV/AIDS Education Circle
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
710 Victoria Avenue East
Thunder Bay ON P7C 5P7
Phone: 807-625-4940
Union of Ontario Indians
1024 Mississauga Rd.
Curve Lake, ON K0L 1R0
Phone: 705-497-9127
The Ontario AIDS Network 296 Jarvis Street unit 5 Toronto, On M5B 2C5
416-364-4555
www.ontarioaidsnetwork.on.ca