Vancouver HIV/AIDS
Care Co-ordinating Committee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VHACCC?
In 1990, under the leadership of Alex Kowalski, the Vancouver Persons with AIDS Society initiated an informal coalition called The BC AIDS Network. This group was made up of frontline nurses, social workers, physicians, police and staff of community based organizations. The mandate was to support the development and activities of front line HIV/AIDS work

Member agencies re-formed themselves to create the Vancouver HIV/AIDS Care Coordinating Committee (VHACCC) in 1994. Members of twenty-five organizations met monthly to share information and to develop recommendations for the improved organization and coordination of care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Vancouver. With input from a broad base of consumers and organizations, VHACCC developed its first Strategic Plan emphasizing care services. The Plan was intended to compliment the BC Ministry of Health's plan for regionalization in the Vancouver area. The plan was based on a broad definition of health which included prevention, health promotion, equal access to treatment and care, adequate income and quality of life.

By 1998 the Vancouver HIV/AIDS Care Coordinating Committee (VHACCC) had become a committee comprised of over fifty consumer groups, nonprofit organizations and government agencies from various sectors including health, social services, housing, education, and justice.

Where does VHACCC get its mandate from?
The Vancouver HIV/AIDS Care Coordinating Committee sets its own mission and goals through through the strategic planning process.

When does the committee meet?
The first Thursday of every month at 1:30pm. For 2001, meetings are scheduled to be held in the Training Room, Pacific AIDS Resource Centre, 1107 Seymour Street, Vancouver (corner of Seymour and Helmcken, in Downtown South).

My organization is concerned about HIV disease, but isn't the committee for health or consumer-based agency?
VHACCC realizes that an effective response to Vancouver's AIDS epidemic requires collaboration and cooperation across sectors and across levels of government. If your organization is concerned about HIV/AIDS, there is a place at the committee for you.