WILMINGTON — AIDS Delaware and Delaware HIV Consortium announce a joint, private $10,000 contribution to support Delaware’s forthcoming HIV Prevention Needs Assessment.

This assessment, by the Delaware HIV Planning Council, is critical to understanding the evolving needs of the community in the fight against the spread of HIV in the state.

The Delaware HIV Planning Council, the state’s federally mandated HIV community advisory body, is dedicated to supporting planning and decision-making efforts to reduce HIV in Delaware by improving HIV-related prevention and care services.

The Delaware HIV Planning Council is funded by the Delaware Division of Public Health through a contract with the Delaware HIV Consortium. It is tasked with, among other things, informing the development, implementation, and monitoring of the state’s Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Plan—Delaware’s roadmap for ending the HIV epidemic in its borders.

The 2024 HIV Prevention Needs Assessment is designed to gather comprehensive data on the met and unmet needs of individuals who would benefit from accessing HIV risk reduction services, gaps in existing service provision, and barriers to accessing care. The study's results will be used to advance Delaware’s HIV risk reduction strategies and programs to be more effective and responsive to the community’s needs.

The $10,000 joint donation by AIDS Delaware and Delaware HIV Consortium will be used by the Delaware HIV Planning Council to encourage robust participation of those at risk of acquiring HIV in this year’s needs assessment.

Funds will be used to provide everyone who completes and submits the needs assessment survey with a $20 gift card incentive.

These organizations believe that with more in-depth insight from more diverse populations, these incentives will ultimately enhance the state’s efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and improve access to crucial prevention services.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from our long-time partners, AIDS Delaware,” said Tyler Berl, executive director of Delaware HIV Consortium. “This Needs Assessment is vital to our collective mission to end HIV as it provides the data necessary to tailor our prevention efforts effectively.”

AIDS Delaware and Delaware HIV Consortium believe that contribution and buy-in, like is fostered by this initiative, underscores the importance of community-led initiatives and the collective effort required to combat HIV in the state. Together, intentional, individual efforts advance a healthier, more informed, and resilient community.

People who have experience using HIV prevention services such as: risk reduction counseling, HIV testing, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP Navigation, Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Harm Reduction/Syringe Services Programs, have accessed free condoms, or would consider themselves at elevated risk for HIV can participate in the HIV Prevention Needs Assessment by accessing the study questionnaire at surveymonkey.com/r/hivpreventionstudy.