2012 Leadership Summit for HIV Positive Young Adults March 9th-11th

"We forget that in its essence, leadership is about learning how to shape the future. Leadership exists when people are no longer victims of circumstances but participate in creating new circumstances.” - Peter Senge

Leadership Summit for HIV Positive Young Adults (Ages 18-29)

OAC began the Leadership Summit for HIV-Positive Young Adults in 2007 to train HIV positive young people from across the state in the life skills required for good health. Summit workshops run the gamut of social and medical issues, and have included in the past: positive sexual health; disclosure issues; storytelling and advocacy; creative arts; medical care and treatment, nutrition and exercise, and body image. Workshops are taught by professionals in their respective fields.

OAC’s 2012 Leadership Summit for HIV Positive Young Adults (Ages 18-29) will be held March 9th–11th, 2012 at the Holiday Inn City Center, Downtown Columbus, Ohio.

Click here for 2012 Application

2012 Summit Program Description:

HIV positive young adults face a unique combination of issues related to their age and HIV status.

Numerous HIV efforts targeting young adults are based solely in education and screening, discounting those who already have an HIV positive diagnosis. In addition, more than a few clinical services are comprehensive, but limited in range. Medical care alone does not address integral familial, social, community, and personal issues. Social support, access to community and treatment; and developmental issues are complicated by: HIV transmission route (e.g. perinatal or behavioral); time since diagnosis; family medical and social histories; geographic location; age and other social determinants.

OAC began the Leadership Summit for HIV Positive Young Adults in an effort to prepare HIV positive young people from across the state in the life skills necessary for optimal engagement and retention in care as well as improved overall health outcomes.

The workshops run the gamut of social and medical issues, and have included in the past: positive sexual health; disclosure issues; storytelling and advocacy; building goals for the future, creative arts; medical care and treatment, nutrition, exercise and body image; among many more. Workshops are taught by professionals in their respective fields.

2012 Summit Program Goals & Objectives:

The OAC Leadership Summit for HIV Positive Young Adults will engage participants in both self-expression and personal development. Participants will report increased:

• Education of the benefits for enrolling in medical care and support for remaining in care and treatment;
• Skills development focusing on building and maintaining relationships, basics of HIV infection/treatment, and workforce preparation;
• Strategies for improving healthcare and self-advocacy skills;
• Knowledge of community resources available for further training opportunities;
• Comfort and ability in self-expression (including but not limited to disclosure).

For more information, contact Bill Arnold at 1-800-226-5554.