In 2008 the Kansas City Health Department sent out for requests for proposals (RFP) for their HIV prevention contracts, including the contract working with white men who have sex with men (MSM). I had been working with Planned Parenthood since March of that year as a sexual health educator, and based on my many previous experiences working in HIV care and prevention, we decided to apply for the grant. Unfortunately we weren't funded, but the process gave me and the grant writing team at Planned Parenthood some great experience in putting together a grant proposal.

The overall plan was to establish a project titled H.E.R.O., or Healthy Empowerment Radiating Outward, based on the MPowerment model. MPowerment is supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as an evidence-based community-level intervention that addresses the HIV prevention needs of MSM through educational social groups, community outreach, and HIV testing and counseling.

DATE:
2008

WHERE:
Planned Parenthood of Kansas & Mid-Missouri
Kansas City Health Department

SKILLS:

• Research | Professional Writing
• Project Planning | Setting Goals
• Collaboration