Overview

ARC's Outreach Program promotes interaction between the National AIDS Resource Center, the Regional AIDS Resource Centers (RARCs) and local communities. Outreach efforts focus on increasing access to ARC activities and resources laying the foundation for community and individual behavior change. Programs provide up-to-date and accurate information on HIV/AIDS; address stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS; increase young people's perception of their susceptibility to HIV and self-efficacy to prevent HIV; promote HIV testing and create demand for high quality PMTCT and ART services. In addition, outreach efforts promote the efforts of the RARCs and encourage the local population to make use of their services.

Audience

Regional AIDS Resource Center users and the general public

Objectives

• Increase the reach of ARC programs such as Betegna, Dagu, SMART and reinforce BCC messages through participatory local outreach events such as listener groups, discussions and interactive community events
• Increase awareness and use of Regional and National AIDS Resource Centers
• Increase demand and use of HIV prevention, care and treatment services
• Increase utilization of services provided by the RARCs including the Library, Internet access, Audio-visual equipment
• Establish collaborative partnerships with local and international organizations to facilitate HIV-related behavior change at community level
• Reach out to marginalized populations and those most at risk for HIV (MARPS)

Activities

ARC’s outreach activities serve as reinforcement for ARC's existing BCC programming, such as the Betengna Radio Diaries, DAGU and the ART Communication Initiative. Activities include:

• Listening and other discussion groups, regional launches, drop-in question and answer sessions  and  promotion of the services available at regional ARCs

• Regular schedule of single-session, drop-in IEC/BCC activities (such as classes, panel discussions, or discussion groups) pertaining to HIV and AIDS tailored to the needs of local audiences

• Capacity building in BCC and HIV for regional groups and organizations, including faith-and community-based organizations, special interest groups, schools, and government agencies

Future plans

• Expand community outreach activities of CCP/ARC BCC prevention and treatment interventions.
• Conduct resource and institution mapping of organization in regions where there are regional ARCs.
• Coordinate World AIDS Day and HCT Day 2009 activities in selected regional ARCs and the national ARC.
• Conduct outreach activities targeting most at risk populations in selected regional ARC communities.
• Strengthen CCP/ARC's collaboration with local and international organizations by planning outreach activities in regions where selected organizations have established focal persons at the regional ARCs.

Partners

This program is managed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs/AIDS Resource Center (CCP/ARC), in collaboration with the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO) and funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Contact

Emawayish Seme
Outreach Coordinator
AIDS Resource Center
Telephone: 251-115 503584 (ext 1128)
Fax 251-115 503749
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: etharc.org