The Minority AIDS Initiative Program (MAI)
(Provider maps, contacts, and other information on Florida’s MAI-ARTAS Program)

In October 1998, President Clinton declared HIV/AIDS to be a severe crisis in racial and ethnic minority communities. The Department of Health and Human Services held discussions with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) about ways to enhance the fight against HIV/AIDS – especially in African American communities. The CBC is an organization representing African American members of the Congress of the United States founded in January 1969. The Caucus describes its goals as "positively influencing the course of events pertinent to African Americans and others of similar experience and situation," and "achieving greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services."
Championed by the CBC, Congress funded an initiative to address this crisis through increased funding and outreach. In response, the Florida Department of Health announced a special package of initiatives aimed at reducing the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on racial and ethnic minorities. In 2000, the Minority AIDS Initiative was created to include all communities of color.

The Florida Department of Health currently contracts/funds seven agencies to provide services under the Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI). These agencies are located in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach counties. MAI uses strengths-based case management to target HIV-positive clients of minority populations. The purpose of the program is to link recently or previously (no care for at least six months) diagnosed HIV-positive clients to available medical care. Once identified, the client meets with a care coordinator. The ultimate goal is to link the client to the proper medical care services to receive treatment. Other expected outcomes for the client are to identify treatment-supporting goals, such as becoming their own medical advocate, obtaining stable housing (if applicable), and achieving a more stable lifestyle. MAI clients receive case management, assistance with applying for qualifying benefits (ADAP, Medicaid, Medicare), and transportation (bus passes, cab vouchers, or care coordinator drives them to their appointments).

The MAI intervention can be divided into three phases. In Phase I, the emphasis is on client engagement by assessing client strengths and developing plans based on the strengths identified by the client. Phase II is built on effecting the elements of the plan. Phase III recognizes that disengagement from the MAI program is imminent and assists the client in obtaining care and social services.

Assessment and planning activities will occur throughout the client's involvement with the project. We anticipate however, that the focus of Phase I and perhaps Phase II will be identifying and then reducing external and internal barriers to medical care engagement and retention. Phases II and III will focus on the achievement of client-defined goals, such as finding stable housing and substance abuse treatment or mental health services. A further focus of Phase III will be on disengagement from the MAI care coordination and transition to an alliance with appropriate case management agencies. Upon release from the MAI program, a three-month follow-up is conducted to see if the client remains in care.

Unlike most federally-funded programs, qualification for MAI-ARTAS is not income based. The only criteria is that you are an HIV-positive individual currently not receiving medical treatment or care. Providers are community-based organizations experienced in conducting culturally sensitive and non-judgmental outreach in their local areas. Most agencies have bilingual staff speaking both Creole and Spanish. Services are geared toward HIV-positive persons within minority communities. Providers use incentives like bus passes, food vouchers, and gift bags to enroll clients into the program and ensure continued participation.

For more information, please call Bridget Giles at (850) 245-4444 ext. 2442.

The following links open in a new window

MAI-ARTAS Providers Map (ppt - 8.83kb)
Location and contact information for MAI providers

MAI-ARTAS Standards and Guidelines Handbook (pdf 468 - kb)
Provides guidelines and more complete details on the MAI program and ARTAS methodology

Silence is Death: The Crisis of HIV/AIDS in Florida's Black Communities  (zip - 1.87kb)
This report highlights Florida communities where severe racial and ethnic HIV/AIDS disparities persist.
 
MMWR: HIV/AIDS Diagnoses Among Blacks - Florida, 1999 - 2004  (pdf - 3.38kb)

HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets
Fact sheets on HIV/AIDS among African Americans, Hispanics, Women, and the impact of HIV/AIDS on other Florida populations.

HIV/AIDS Trends and Statistics
HIV/AIDS surveillance and prevalence data on Florida populations

Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS
1-880-352-2437
1-888-503-7118 (TDY)
1-800-545-SIDA (Spanish)
1-800-AIDS-101 (Creole)