Housing Works: Housing Prevents AIDS. Housing Improves Health.

AIDS Advocacy Terms

Abstinence-only sex education

A form of sex education that emphasizes abstinence from sex to the exclusion of all other types of sexual and reproductive health education, particularly regarding birth control and safe sex.

ADAP. AIDS Drug Assistance Program. A portion of the Ryan White CARE Act that provides HIV medication for low-income people with HIV/AIDS.

AIDS Institute New York State division of the Department of Health that addresses HIV/AIDS issues.
Also: Washington, D.C. based advocacy organization.

CBO Community-based organization

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, which works to prevent the spread of disease, including HIV.

CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. U.S. agency of HHS that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with State governments to administer Medicaid.

Comprehensive sex education Comprehensive sex education that addresses both abstinence and age-appropriate, medically accurate information about contraception.

FMAP Federal Medical Assistance Percentages. A formula used by the federal government to determine the amount of federal matching funds for State expenditures for assistance payments for certain social service for Medicaid.

GENDA Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. A New York State bill that would bar discriminiation based on gender identity and expression in employment, housing, public accommodations, and access to credit, passed by a bipartisan majority in the Assembly in June 2008.

Harm reduction A treatment approach that seeks to minimize the harm that people do to themselves through substance use and/or unsafe sexual practices. Examples of harm reduction are syringe exchange and safer sex practices.

HASA HIV/AIDS Services Administration. Provides housing, case management and other support services for people living with AIDS and some people with HIV. Overseen by HRA, with joint funding by HRA and OTDA

HHS U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. U.S. government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.

HOPWA Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS. The only U.S. federal funding specifically for housing for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for administering the funds.

HRA Human Resources Administration. The New York City department responsible for overseeing social services, including HASA.

HRSA Health Resources and Services Administration. U.S. agency of HHS responsible for for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, Administration of the Ryan White CARE Act.

HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. U.S. Cabinet department founded in 1965 to develop and execute policy on housing and cities. The administrator of HOPWA funds.

Medicaid The U.S. health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes. Medicaid provides the majority of health insurance for people living with HIV/AIDS, and is provided by both federal and state funding.

Medicare The U.S. government health program for people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria.

MSM Men who have sex with men.

OTDA Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. New York State department responsible for supervising programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals, including public assistance and rental assistance.

PEPFAR U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. U.S. funding to halt the global spread of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. A new funding stream created by President George W. Bush in 2003, it was reauthorized in 2008, and will supply $48 billion over five years.

PLWHA Person (People) living with HIV/AIDS

PWA Person (People) with AIDS

SSI Suplemental Security Income. A federal income supplement program.

Syringe exchange Sometimes referred to as needle exchange. Programs that provide new needles to injection drug users, which decreases transmission of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

RFP Request for proposals. An invitation for agencies to submit a proposal on a specific commodity or service.

Ryan White CARE Act a Federal law that provides health services to people with HIV/AIDS without other forms of health insurance. Also provides funding to juristdictions to provide essential support services.

SRO

Single Room Occupancy. A building that houses people in single rooms. Provides temporary housing for HASA clients.