Link to CAB member photos and biographies

HMMP Endorsement Letter from local CAB

What will be the role of the Local Community Advisory Board?
As part of the CDC collaboration agreement HDHHS is required to establish a Local Community Advisory Board (CAB). Representatives from local healthcare organizations, health planning groups, and community-based organizations have been invited to participate on the CAB. A representative (point person) from the CAB will be selected for participation on a national CAB. The CAB will establish a charter, determine meeting agenda items, provide feedback and recommendations regarding HIV/AIDS surveillance, and develop reports and publications with staff support from HDHHS. The CAB will also have access to a consulting group comprised of leadership from area local health departments.

Community Advisory Board (CAB)
A national Community Advisory Board (CAB), comprised of a local representative from each of the 26 project areas, serves as a link between MMP staff and patients who participate in the project. The CAB includes a diverse group of individuals who are all concerned about the wellbeing of HIV-positive persons in the community and the quality of care they receive.  As community advocates, CAB members convey the patient perspective to local and national MMP staff.  CAB members work closely with MMP staff contributing to the design and implementation of the project.  For example, they have provided invaluable input in patient recruitment, questionnaire development, operational considerations, promotion of the project, and optimal methods for data dissemination.  In addition to collaborating with MMP staff, CAB members communicate with potential participants.  For example, they inform the HIV/AIDS community about MMP and stress its significance to public health and potential to improve services for people living with HIV/AIDS.  As a peer, CAB members also act as a resource at the local level for those patients approached to participate in the MMP. 

Provider Advisory Board (PAB)
MMP also has a national Provider Advisory Board (PAB) consisting of an HIV care provider from each project area.  The PAB represents large, medium, and small HIV care facilities in both rural and urban locales.  It fosters collaboration between local and national MMP staff and HIV care providers.  Offering the provider perspective, PAB members advise local and national MMP staff on aspects related to the development and implementation of MMP.  For example, they help determine how data are collected and what questions MMP can answer related to health care.  They provide significant input on facility and patient recruitment strategies and increase project awareness to the medical community.  In addition, PAB members inform local providers about the MMP and encourage provider participation. Similar to the CAB, PAB members serve as a peer resource locally for those HIV care providers approached to participate in the MMP. 

MISSION STATEMENT
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) will ensure the equity, quality, and efficacy of the Houston Medical Monitoring Project (HMMP) by being a liaison to people living with HIV/AIDS, healthcare providers, community and care planning groups, underserved communities and other stakeholders.

VISION STATEMENT
The advisory board is proactive, creative, responsive and effective in its support and guidance to the Houston Medical Monitoring Project (HMMP). As a result of our support and guidance this project is successful in providing and disseminating meaningful and tangible information on surveillance activities and outcomes to the HIV/AIDS community, community and care planning groups, healthcare providers and other stakeholders and serves as a model for other MMP sites.

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