The vision of the Journey to Change (J2C) Leadership Conference is to empower the LGBTQ+ community by enabling them to explore their holistic needs while reflecting the core values of caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence.
This conference will create forums for the LGBTQ+ community and health care providers to discuss health, cultural and policy issues; as well as, provide access to research, best- practices, and resources in a safe environment that encourages self-awareness, growth and empowerment.
The Journey to Change Leadership Conference will be a transformational experience where we will work together to facilitate the CHANGE we desire and need.
All abstracts must reflect the core values: caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence. DPH is especially interested in exploring innovative tools used in work with LGBTQ+ community. Under each Track, abstracts can be written for one of two audiences:
Audience One - Technical assistance for public health educators or;
Audience Two - Engagement sessions designed to empower the community.
Audience One (Technical assistance for public health educators) Abstract Descriptive- Designed as how-to sessions for public health educators (Health Departments/Community Based-Organizations) who want to improve their skills, integrate innovative methodologies, and/or investigate creative opportunities for learning. Sessions should also help the participant explore theoretical applications that advance the science and practice (or delivery) of prevention and health services.
Audience Two (Engagement sessions designed to empower the community) Abstract Descriptive- Designed for participants looking to engage others in learning about their holistic needs and care as well as, the importance of being proactive about optimal care and how to acquire services. Sessions should go beyond educating primarily on sexual health. We want to explore and address other needs of the gay, bisexual, men who sex with men, transgender and gender non-conforming community.
TRACKS
Stigma
This track focuses on how to combat the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Adopting such systems and making healthcare practices a more comfortable environment for HIV-positive patients that require an understanding of some of the key challenges faced by patients and the resources and strategies that can circumvent these barriers to optimal care.
PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take anti-HIV medications before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected. The medications work to prevent HIV from establishing an infection inside the body. This track will examine how far we have come in regard to working with PrEP, the continued struggles with distribution and acceptance as well as its effects on our community.
PERSONAL STORIES
The Storytelling for Empowerment (SFE) is designed with an innovative approach to explore the role of storytelling as a form of informal education and empowerment. The aim of the track is storytelling as a way to decrease stigma around HIV/AIDS and to start an open dialogue in local communities about the disease.
IMPORTANT THEMES
1) Transgender Community 2) HIV-related Policy and Policy Development 3) Health Equity 4) Epidemiology/Surveillance/Research
Submit abstracts by Monday, September 2, 2019 by 11:59 PM EST (If accepted, presentations ahould be at least forty minutes in length.)