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About The CAB

Project ACHIEVE conducts HIV prevention research with the goal of conducting efficacy trials of HIV vaccines and other non-vaccine interventions. Its success depends on community support and advice. The mission of the Project ACHIEVE Community Advisory Board (CAB) is to present community perspectives, advise Project ACHIEVE investigators about the conduct of studies, and serve as an information resource to the community about Project ACHIEVE activities. Community perspectives are especially needed with regard to strategies to identify, recruit and follow individuals at high risk of HIV infection through sexual contact; guide appropriate risk reduction education and counseling; establish referral networks for medical and support services; guide strategies for measuring risk behavior; and develop approaches to inform and achieve community support for future trials.

CAB members serve as advisors to Project ACHIEVE investigators by presenting the community perspective and interests. The investigators have scientific and legal responsibility for the project and thus take responsibility for all final decisions.

 

To accomplish its mission, the CAB is charged with the following:

Provide community perspectives on issues likely to arise during vaccine preparedness studies, Phase II and III vaccine trials and other intervention trials.

Provide informed commentary on study protocols, the informed consent process and informational, educational and promotional materials.

Support recruitment efforts and promote referral arrangements associated with vaccine preparedness studies, Phase II and III vaccine trials and other intervention trials.

Support community education efforts and promote educational activities associated with prevention studies.

Represent Project ACHIEVE within the community, to the press and at meetings and conferences as appropriate.

 

 

Community Advisory Board Membership

Project ACHIEVE is designed to study risks of sexual transmission of HIV infection among men and women at high risk of HIV infection through sexual contact. The Project strives to identify prevention practices (including vaccines) that work best among the target populations. The Manhattan site focuses on gay and bisexual men and the Bronx site on women at risk through heterosexual contact. CAB members should be able to present the interests and concerns of these groups, either as a result of being members of these groups or from experience in working with these groups. The composition of the CAB is based on the diversity of the members and of the populations that members serve-considerations of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, HIV serostatus and geographic location of members or their communities are all factors in creating a diverse CAB.

The CAB will have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 members. Each appointed CAB member will make a one-year commitment to CAB membership on his or her acceptance of the position. New members can be nominated by Project ACHIEVE investigators and staff or by CAB members. Potential CAB members must complete a CAB orientation session prior to joining the CAB.

Advice will be sought by informal discussion and, on some issues, by formal polling of members. Vote will be by a simple majority of those members present at a regular meeting. At least 7 members need to be present for a vote to be considered valid.


Programs

Project ACHIEVE builds awareness around HIV prevention by developing, organizing, and implementing community education programs and workshops. Project ACHIEVE recognizes the importance of communicating with both researchers and community professionals about issues pertinent to research trial administration and volunteer participation. Project ACHIEVE relies on its community advisory board, a diverse network of informed community representatives, for feedback and advisement on participant involvement and trial administration.

Please see our Upcoming Events page or contact Denise Goodman, Director of Community Relations, for more information on opportunities for education.

Please also see our model outlines for community education on HIV microbicides and vaccines.

Project ACHIEVE investigators will:

Provide the CAB logistical support including meeting space, office equipment, and administrative support and travel expenses.

Provide information about basic science, vaccine development, protocol development, local Investigational Review Board process and other relevant issues to help keep the CAB well-informed.

The CAB will meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. Project ACHIEVE needs community input from members who are connected to the community and are familiar with the project. Regular attendance at CAB meetings is, therefore, essential. Members who have 3 unexcused absences for 3 regular meetings in a row will be removed from the CAB.

Please contact Denise Goodman if you are interested in joining the CAB.