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Accomplishments of the San Luis Obispo County Hepatitis C Task Force

July 1999, The San Luis Obispo County Hepatitis C Task Force was formed. The Task Force is comprised of affected community members, health experts from the County Public Health Department and local correctional facilities, and community health providers as well as representatives from local educational institutions.

September 1999, formulates long-term strategy to respond to the Hepatitis C needs of the community. An initial grant is prepared and submitted to the San Luis Obispo County Health Foundation.

October 1999, the AIDS Support Network, working in collaboration with the SLO County Department of Health, AIDS Program, held the 12^th annual AIDS Update Symposium. This year’s symposium, for the first time, dealt with co-infections and had a specific emphasis on Hepatitis C issues.

November 1999, the Community Health Foundation awarded the San Luis Obispo County AIDS Support Network a grant in the amount of $20,000 to fund the Hepatitis C Community Education Project. December 1999, a website (www.slohepc.org) was created. The site has links to important information sources such as the CDC and the C. Everett Keep site devoted to Hepatitis C, as well as activities and resources in our own county. People accessing the site can e-mail and chat with each other as a form of support.

December 1999, the San Luis Obispo-based Hepatitis C support group was formed to offer resources for people affected with HCV to meet and share knowledge.

January 2000, Task Force members developed a needs assessment instrument. Targeting those who have tested positive for Hepatitis C, the assessment was designed to collect demographic information and gauge what services may be important. The assessment was, and continues to be, distributed to doctor’s offices throughout the county for their HCV+ patients. In addition, the assessments are available through County Drug & Alcohol Services, at the Family Care Center, at the Health Department in San Luis Obispo and at the AIDS Support Network. The Needs Assessment is also accessible on the website and can be filled out there.

January – May 2000, the Task Force placed prominent ads in local newsprint publications describing the Task Force’s mission, informing residents of the needs assessment and information of the times and locations of the support groups.

March – May 2000, the monthly SLO County Hepatitis C Task Force – Update Newsletter was developed. The newsletter is designed to let the medical community know about the progress of the Task Force, to disseminate general information about the Hepatitis C epidemic and to advise people about forums that may be up coming.

April 2000, The Task Force presented the first in a series of informational Doctors Roundtables. Nearly 70 medical professionals attended. Presenters are: Dr. Paul Martin from UCLA School of Medicine and Luther Brock, Coordinator of Outreach and Education, AIDS Community Outreach Consortium

April 2000, The Task Force presented the first in a series of informational Community Forums. Martin and Brock present to an audience of approximately 50 community residents.

June 28, 2000, a presentation was given at Prado Day Center and on August 28, 2000 another presentation was held at People’s Kitchen in South County, 45 and 15 people attended respectively.

June 1, 2000, another Community Forum is scheduled with Dr. Joanne Imperial presenting. Approximately 150 attended.

July 2000, the Community Health Foundation awarded the San Luis Obispo County AIDS Support Network a grant in the amount of $30,000 to continue the efforts of the Hepatitis C Community Education Project.

September 2000, a Community Education Forum is held with Joey Tranchina presenting. 50 people we in attendance.

October 2000, with input from Task Force and the Needs Assessment results, a comprehensive, multi-year "ideal" program of prevention, education, screening, and social services is developed. A multi-year grant proposal is submitted to California Endowment.

January 10-12^th, 2001, 5 local physicians and one Nurse Practitioner participated in an extensive training seminar. Participating medical professionals were from private practice, public health, community health centers, and local prisons. Drs. Joanne Imperial and Aijaz Ahmed from Stanford University conducted the 2 and one half-day Preceptor Program. Topics covered were; epidemiology, current standards of care, liver transplantation options, and psychosocial issues.

March 16, 2001, Community Forum was held covering self-care and the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of HCV. Misha Cohen, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, presented this community educational forum. 55 people attended.

March 13, 2001, Task Force members present brief introduction of Task Force’s efforts during public comment at the SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Task Force continues to meet on a bi-monthly or as needed basis.

April 2001, Representatives from the Task Force meet with representative at Lois Capp’s office to discuss local Hepatitis C issues.

April 2001, Representatives from the Task Force meet with Assemblyman, Abel Maldonado to discuss Hepatitis C issues

June 2001, Representatives from the Task Force meet with Senator, Jack O’Connell to discuss Hepatitis C issues.

July 2001, San Luis Obispo Hepatitis C Project receives funding to undertake a multidisciplinary collaborative effort to provide community education, prevention, screening, epidemiology, support, and advocacy. Funding sources include: The California Endowment ($537,136), San Luis Obispo County – Preventative Health Funding ($45,000), San Luis Obispo County – Community Based Organization funding ($2,060), United Way of San Luis Obispo ($2,760).

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All original content is Copyright © 2005 by the authors.

This site last updated January 02, 2005.