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Commission on AIDS: About the Commission

The Commission on AIDS was created by the Board of Supervisors in 1987 to advise on the AIDS epidemic in Sonoma County. The Commission is the County's primary public advisory body on the HIV/AIDS issues, responsible for planning HIV treatment and care services, allocating public funds, reviewing local HIV prevention efforts, advocating for persons living with HIV disease and developing responses to local needs.

In 1990, the federal Ryan White CARE Act was passed, which provides funds to local areas for HIV treatment and care services. A separate program, called Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) provides funds to local areas to assist persons with HIV disease with housing and related needs. Sonoma County was eligible to receive funds under both Title II-Part B and HOPWA. In 1991, the Commission was designated as the recipient of these funds and became known as the Commission on AIDS/Title II-Part B CARE Consortium.

As the Consortium, the Commission is responsible for:

• Conducting/updating an assessment of HIV/AIDS service needs
• Establishing a service delivery plan and priorities for the allocation of Title II-Part B and HOPWA funds
• Coordinating and integrating the delivery of HIV-related services
• Evaluating the success and cost-effectiveness of the response

In 1994, Sonoma County qualified for additional funds under Title I-Part A of the CARE Act. For funding purposes, the Commission also serves as the Title I-Part A HIV Health Services Planning Council, with similar responsibilities as the Title II-Part B Consortium, but for Title I-Part A funds. In 2007, the Care Act was reauthorized as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006, and Titles I through IV were renamed Titles A through D.

Commission Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and evaluate the HIV/AIDS service system.
• Fund treatment and care services.
• Develop new services in response to emerging issues.
• Review the local HIV Prevention Plan.
• Develop housing options for persons with HIV/AIDS.
• Advocate for HIV related public policy issues.
• Advise the Board of Supervisors on HIV/AIDS issues affecting the county.

Commission Meeting Schedule

The Commission on AIDS meets every other month at the DHS Conference Center in Santa Rosa (map this location).

Interested members of the public are welcome at all Commission and Committee meetings. Each meeting includes time for public comment. Written comments may be addressed to The Commission on AIDS, 475 Aviation Blvd., Suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.