Atlanta, GA, – In response to high and increasing HIV rates among youth in Atlanta, Equality Foundation of Georgia launched  the Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program. This program will match selected elected officials with youth advocates who will serve as their Special Advisors on Youth HIV. Youth will work one-on-one with policymakers to address policy barriers to HIV prevention. Equality Foundation of Georgia Executive Director Jeff Graham says of the program, “Empowering youth living with HIV to talk openly with policymakers about their experiences and needs will help fill a major gap in Atlanta’s HIV prevention landscape.” The application-only program offers training to advocates throughout the summer and involves three educational sessions October-December. It concludes on World AIDS Day- December 1st- with the second annual World AIDS Day- Atlanta Policy & Action Luncheon.

Participating Elected Officials
We have invited a diverse and committed group of Metro Atlanta elected officials to participate in this program, and the following have confirmed their desire to be matched with Special Advisers on Youth HIV this year:

– Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell
Chairman John Eaves of the Fulton County Commission
Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort
Georgia State Representative Pat GardnerGeorgia State Representative Keisha Waites
Georgia State Representative Karla Drenner
Georgia State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler
Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner
Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan
Georgia State Senator Nan Orrock

and others