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Michigan HIV PREVENTION Making the HIV Review Panel Work for You!
All CDC/DASH funded HIV programs are required to have an HIV Review Panel as part of their Cooperative Agreement. In 2007, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) interviewed other states to determine what was feasible, affordable, and most valuable in terms of conducting this activity. The MDE decided to convene a strong cross section of leaders across the state for one face-to-face HIV Review Panel meeting each year. The meeting is critical for reviewing the latest curricula, media, and education tools in HIV prevention and sex education. The meeting also serves as a powerful networking tool that supports statewide leaders as they share key information and strategize about moving sexual health forward in Michigan for school-age young people.
The January 2012 meeting included 28 people representing the following constituencies: state health department leads in HIV, STD, adolescent health and teen pregnancy prevention, parents, school administrators, school nurses, school boards, ministry, elementary and secondary health teachers, school counselors, social workers focusing on special education, regional school health coordinators, institutes of higher education (IHEs) teacher preparation, preservice teachers, and youth advocates. At the most recent meeting, the group reviewed a newly released research-based abstinence-only curriculum, a supplemental lesson focusing on LGBT youth, a special education curriculum, and new HIV and puberty DVDs. We’d love to share our process for convening this group of people, written materials and templates, and/or our list of resources reviewed with anyone who is interested.
