PACPI Announces Innovative Partnership to Expand
HIV Prevention among Pregnant Women and Their Families

CHICAGO —The Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI) announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) in order to expand services for HIV-affected pregnant women and their families.

“PACPI began as a visionary short-term project designed to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission,” said Lynne Weber, PACPI board president. “Our accomplishments since 2000 are truly remarkable, unfortunately our work is far from over. This innovative partnership with AFC will ensure that the hundreds of women and families who depend on PACPI will continue to have high-quality services and passionate advocates working on their behalf.”

Initially created as a five-year initiative, PACPI has spearheaded a range of policy and programs designed to increase testing, education, and support services for pregnant women and HIV-affected families across Illinois. Working with the Illinois Department of Public Health, PACPI and its partners have dramatically increased HIV screening and expert medical care for pregnant women and newborns. PACPI has also launched case management and educational programs tailored to meet the unique needs of low-income, HIV-positive pregnant women and their families. PACPI was also awarded funds in 2006 from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate the innovative enhanced case management project.

Under the terms of the agreement, PACPI will share offices with AFC in order to mutually collaborate on policy, education, and case management initiatives benefiting HIV-affected families. Each organization will remain independent and autonomous with separate governing boards and staff.

“This unique model and partnership will help PACPI grow and further its mission,” said Patricia Garcia, MD, PACPI Executive Director. “We enter this partnership enthusiastic that both organizations are committed to not only serving women and children but expanding advocacy and services for them statewide to create a safety net of prevention.”

“PACPI and AFC share a commitment to strong public policy advocacy and a passion for high-quality services,” said Mark Ishaug, AFC executive director. “We are confident that this type of collaboration—in an era of shrinking resources—will allow us to remain focused on improving the lives of AIDS-affected clients and families.”

In addition to AFC, PACPI will continue to work collaboratively with other organizations that share its commitment to women and families. Key partners include the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Children’s Place Association, the Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center, and Children’s Memorial Hospital, which has housed PACPI since its inception.

“PACPI’s core mission is to galvanize support for AIDS-affected women and their families,” said PACPI Project Director Anne Statton. “We can only be successful by continuing to count on the help and support of all our principal partners and working to identify new partners who share our mission and values.”