ANNUAL REPORT - 2004

The Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF) was established in 1987 by a group of community leaders dedicated to responding to the needs of persons living with AIDS in Pierce County and changing the behavior of persons who are at risk of being infected.  The first Board of Directors was installed on January 4, 1988; B. Craig Larson was the first President.

As one of the outcomes of an extensive strategic planning process in 2004, the mission of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation was restated.  It now reads: The Pierce County AIDS Foundation, through education and service, prevents HIV infection, assists persons affected by HIV/AIDS, addresses related health problems, and combats associated stigma and discrimination.  A new vision statement also emerged: Building communities to save lives.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

   ∆    Annual public-awareness celebrations (World AIDS Day and the AIDS Walk Fest), and outreach activities to the minority faith community during the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS in partnership with Balm in Gilead.

   ∆    Anonymous HIV Counseling & Testing, including rapid testing option provided on-site by Health Department staff.

   ∆    HIV information distribution at public events, and health fairs, including web page (http://www.PierceCountyAIDS.org).

   ∆    In-service training programs for clients (risk reduction and medical adherence support) and volunteers on topics relevant to living with HIV.

   ∆    Newsletter publication (FACES for general public, Visions for volunteers and clients, a newsletter for the Oasis Center, Together for community of health and human services providers).

   ∆    Peer outreach and distribution of safer sex materials to at-risk communities:  M2 (men who have sex with men; sponsor of Wilde Thoughts book club and Koffee Klatch discussion group; Danger Ahead Forum), Unity Now! (African American women), and The Purdy Project, for women within six months of release from the WA Correctional Center for Women. 

   ∆    OASIS Center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

   ∆    Resource Center, Speaker's Bureau and technical assistance:  books, videos, pamphlets, and public education programs for schools, organizations, churches, and businesses, clients and the general public

   ∆    Training and coordination of volunteers providing practical and emotional support to clients.

CLIENT SERVICES

   ∆    Case management for people living with HIV/AIDS (provided on-site as well as in corrections settings, hospitals, and care facilities).

   ∆    Client Assistance Programs:  Emergency grants (housing, utilities, medications), Essential Needs Bank (home cleaning and personal hygiene items), emergency motel vouchers, transportation support (bus passes, bus tokens, gas cards, taxi service, long-distance travel), tenant-based rental assistance, mental health vouchers for short-term therapy, placement with volunteer practical or emotional support volunteers, notary public and voice mail services.

   ∆    Housing Options Program (advocacy, referral, and placement assistance).

   ∆    “Special Gatherings" (information seminars, picnics and holiday celebrations) for clients, caregivers, and volunteers.

   ∆    Liaison Services to health care providers and human service providers to improve access to information and expedite referrals for services.

   ∆    Medical treatment and nutrition information.

   ∆    Psychiatric care services provided on site by Community Health Care staff.

   ∆    Support groups (African American women, heterosexual men and women, gay/bisexual men, people in recovery).

   ∆    Treatment adherence and risk reduction counseling services.

People affected by HIV/AIDS in our community:

· Numbers of clients served:  During 2004, 448 total clients were assisted by the Foundation, including 78 new clients seeking services for the first time.  While we are serving a lower number of new clients than in the mid-90’s, the total clients served during the year has increased by nearly 40% since that time.  Total number of clients served since 1987: 1,523. 

· Gender:  While women made up 30% of new clients in 1999, this percentage dropped dramatically in 2001 to 18% of new clients. In 2004, it has risen again and 32% of new clients are women.  The cumulative percentage of the 1,523 clients served who are women is 20%.

1,523 Cumulative Clients (gender)

Read clockwise from top center

Ethnicity of clients:

Of the 78 new clients: Caucasian (59%), African American (27%), Latino (8%), Native American (1%), Asian (3%) and other/mixed (3%).  The percentage of new clients who are people of color in 2004 was 41%. 

Of all 1,523 clients: Caucasian (63%), African American (20%), Latino (9%), Native American (4%), Asian (2%), and other (2%).  The cumulative percentage of clients who are people of color is 37%.

                     78 New Clients                                         1523 Cumulative Clients

                 Read clockwise from top center                                     Read clockwise from top center

· Mode of transmission of HIV: 

Heterosexual transmission was cited by 32% of new clients in 2004, up from 25% of new clients served in 2003.

Men who have sex with men made up 42% of new clients in 2004.  This is an increase from the 35% of new clients served in 2000 who are men who have sex with men.  This figure harkens back to 1998 when 57% of new clients were men who have sex with men, signaling an increase in HIV transmission in this risk group.

When other modes of transmission go up, there is a corresponding reduction in percentages represented by other risk groups.  Injecting drug users made up only 17% of new clients (including 4% who are MSM and IDU) served in 2004; this percentage is down from 24% in 2004, 26% in 2000, and 37% in 1998.

              78 New clients in 2004                                   1,523 Cumulative clients

               Read clockwise from top center                                  Read clockwise from top center

· Other issues facing the 448 clients served in 2004:  44% have mental health issues, 31% are chemically dependent and suffer substance abuse, and 55% are triply diagnosed with mental health, substance abuse, and HIV disease. In 2003, 20% of the 78 new clients were homeless at intake.  Poverty affects 72% of the clients served.  

· Residence of the 448 clients served in 2004:  For clients whose residence was established, 54% live in the City of Tacoma and 40% reside in greater Pierce County.  Other clients (6%) live in south King County, are homeless, or are incarcerated.

SIGNIFICANT STATISTICS 2004

Annual budget (estimated)	$1,500,000	Approximate # of private donors	900
Clients served (cumulative)	1,523	Clients deceased (cumulative)	561
Total clients served (2004)	448	Clients who died during 2004	14
New clients served (2004)	78	Prof. staff positions at end of year	27
Essential Needs Bank (# of orders)	954	Essential Needs Bank (value)	$49,405
Emergency grants (clients served)	129	Emergency grants (value)	$44,733
Peer educators trained in 2004	93	Volunteers trained in 2004	37
		Volunteer hours reported in 2004	7,595

*Walk donors under $25 not included.

The Pierce County AIDS Foundation is operated by staff and volunteers dedicated to assisting persons living with HIV/AIDS to meet their needs for health care, housing, food, and personal support.  Services are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner and all client information is maintained to provide strict confidentiality.

The Pierce County AIDS Foundation is recognized as exempt from Federal income tax under section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and is registered as a charitable organization with the Secretary of State.  Funding sources for the Pierce County AIDS Foundation in 2004:

•     Municipalities: City of Tacoma (General fund, Community Development Block Grant), Pierce County (General fund), City of Lakewood

•     Corporations, churches, and organizations (including Group Health Cooperative, the Russell Investment  Company, Unity Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Pierce County Pride, Pierce County Medical Society, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Gilead Science, the Emerald Queen Casino/Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Pride Foundation)

•     Private donors, including companies and restaurants that support special events (AIDS Walk Fest, Dining Out for Life), third-party events (sponsors included the Imperial Sovereign Court, University of Puget Sound Theatre Department, Milgard Manufacturing), the United Way (donor voice, allocation, federal FEMA funds) and direct mail solicitation.

•     Private grants from private foundations (including the Fuchs Foundation, the Fund for Women and Girls, Starr Family Foundation, Grantmaker Consultants Inc., The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, MAC AIDS Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS)

•     State of Washington (Federal pass through for Ryan White Care Act, Title XIX, HOPWA; Food Stamp Education; Department of Health; and work study funding)

•     Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (State AIDS Omnibus and CDC funding)

Members of the Board of Directors serving during 2004:

Members of the Staff (December 31, 2004):

Edwina Dorsey, President Cathy Hall, Past President                                  Laura Polcyn, Treasurers John McCluskey, President Elect Terry Bouck, Executive Committee Member                                 Rev. David Alger Benjii Bittle Rob Crawford                 Rev. Jim Davis                 Travis Duncan Hien Dung Patti Easton Bob Gunstrom Joyce Hopson Dr. Liz Lien, MD Helen McGovern Judy Neal Patty Rose Michael Transue Art Wang Byron Brown, in perpetuity

Jeannie Darneille                Executive Director Nancy Ryan                          Deputy/Acting Director Margie Abels                        Office Manager Elliott Kay                              Finance Manager Lori Bundrock                       Director of Community                                                        Programs  Chris Hollinger                    Director of Client                                                   Services Tim Menard                          Client Assistance                                                   Manager jill frey                                     Program Assistant Pat Bitonio                            Program Assistant Rus Batten                            Development Officer Ann B. Mumford                 Unity Now! Coordinator Jeremy Wekell                     Healthy 2004 Roberto Gonzales               Prevention Mgmt/                                            Adherence Specialist Sarah Durkee                       Volunteer Coordinator/Oasis Women’s Program Seth Kirby                              OASIS Program Lisa Devlin                            Program Assistant Jodi Dumont                         Case Manager Hilary Klein                           Case Manager Brigette Beisner                   Case Manager Kevin Iverson                        Case Manager Cecilia Lavy                          Case Manager Ed Stanley                             Case Manager Deborah Green                    Case Manager Trina Hall                              Case Manager Open                                      Case Manager Kendra Kennedy                  Project Open Door Anne Kalunian                     Community Liaison Adrianne Reid                      Work Study Kristina Nelson                    Work Study Christina Stenstrom           Work Study Jenny Mosher                       Work Study Darren Page                         Work Study Melanie Anderson               Work Study Jozie Greenmyer                 Work Study Serenity Wise                       Work Study