Georgia Equality is proud to launch applications for the 6th Cohort of our Youth HIV Policy Advisors Program (YHPA) for young adults under the age of 30 living with HIV from across the state.
The YPHA Program was created because all laws and policies related to HIV should be informed by the experiences of people living with HIV. The Youth HIV Policy Advisors program trains young advocates living with HIV from across the state of Georgia on policy and advocacy, equipping them with resources to educate state, city, and county-level policymakers around the creation of meaningful HIV- related policy and strategy.
Youth must be 30-years-old or younger at the time of submission, be living with HIV and willing to discuss their status publicly with officials and the media and reside in Georgia to qualify for this program.
Applicants selected for the program will receive a series of training modules to prepare them for their work. Following the training, youth are matched with elected officials and serve as “Special Advisors on Youth HIV” while they complete a project that will raise community awareness about HIV. Youth will use their personal experience and the training they receive to provide HIV education and make policy suggestions on behalf of youth living with HIV in the state. The program will culminate at an annual World AIDS Day Policy & Action Luncheon. Youth participating in the program receive a stipend throughout their training.
***For participation in the program, participants will receive a stipend and a new laptop (which participants will be eligible to keep after completion of the program).***
Projects by Previous YHPA Participants
2018 YHPA Video: HIV Criminalization
2017 YHPA Video: HIV and Youth Homelessness in Atlanta
2015 YHPA video: Here Are the Facts, Have Our Backs
Meet the 2015 Youth HIV Policy Advisors
Meet the 2016 Youth HIV Policy Advisors
Who is eligible for this program?
- You must be someone living with HIV (have been diagnosed as HIV positive)
- You must be living in the state of Georgia or planning to move here before April 1, 2021
- You must be 30 years of age or under at the time of submission
- You must be willing to talk openly to others including elected officials and potentially the media about being HIV positive
How do I apply?
As a young person living with HIV, we believe you are an expert on how HIV policy and programs work best. The deadline to apply is March 8, 2021. Hurry, spots are limited. Apply now!