San Francisco's Department of Public Health and health departments around the country are hiring young people to develop and manage programs to reach young people, in recognition of the fact that community members are most effective in developing appropriate programs. While most of the funding for HIV prevention programs from CDC comes through community planning groups, DASH funds come through school boards. Homophobia and political cowardice apparently outweigh the pile of studies the size of Mt. Everest demonstrating the high risk of young gay men for HIV infection, suicide, STDs, and a slew of other health hazards that DASH funds are meant to prevent. And really, god forbid that a federal agency issuing funds for specific purposes should mandate that funds be used in an effective, intelligent manner. DASH does not believe that it is proper to issue any such mandate.
Reform is overdue.
The committee believes that school system officials responsible for DASH funds must be required to participate in community planning groups, which also attempt to serve young people. Such participation will eliminate duplicative efforts and ensure that all young people at risk for HIV infection are targeted with prevention efforts. Futher, DASH should receive increased funding to be used for targeting young people under 18 who do not attend school. Communication is essential if DASH is to succeed in its efforts. Dash funds must be governed by the same principles of community-based planning and community involvement in priority setting and resource allocation that govern the expenditure of other CDC prevention funds.