Rhode Island Ryan White Consumer Advisory Board

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) funds the Rhode Island Ryan White Consumer Advisory Board (RI CAB), a group of people either living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island. The mission of the RI CAB is to provide advice to the staff of the RI EOHHS HIV Provision of Care Program, and to work collaboratively on a range of strategies, policies, and programmatic issues affecting the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk.

CAB Vision & Values

  • The vision of the RI CAB is to be a strong, consistent, sustained, accurate, comprehensive, respected, and inclusive voice for the community of people living with HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island.
  • The RI CAB is committed to a partnership with providers and funders that is both collaborative and advisory.
  • The RI CAB is committed to having its membership reflect the diversity of people living with HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island.
RI Consumer Advisory Board logo

What We Do: RI CAB Goals & Activities

What We Do:

“We are the voice for those who do not have one. We work in partnership with the RI EOHHS HIV Provision of Care & Special Populations Program to provide input into the treatment of care and support services that are important for our wellbeing.” 

CAB Goals

The CAB convenes on a monthly basis to discuss, advance, and work towards achieving three fundamental goals: 

1) To provide consumer input to EOHHS.

2) To promote consumer inclusion in the planning of provided services.

3) To liaise between consumers, providers, and other community-based groups.

CAB Meetings

CAB meetings are held every 3rd Monday of the month from 2:00 - 4:00 PM EST (except in the case of holiday conflicts). Meetings are held in a hybrid format, providing CAB members and guests with an opportunity to attend either in-person, or virtually via Zoom. JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) helps to facilitate the RI CAB through an agreement with EOHHS, and CAB meetings are guided by the CAB Facilitator, a contracted consultant with JSI. 

CAB members adhere to a Code of Conduct during meetings, which includes demonstrating respect for fellow members and ensuring that meeting discussions are kept confidential. The CAB engages in various activities during meetings, such as: 

  • Engaging experts to provide education/training to strengthen CAB knowledge of relevant topics (e.g. new medications, emerging trends, community needs) and help CAB members build skills to advance CAB goals.
  • Engaging with AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and other agencies/groups to foster community collaboration, strengthen CAB awareness of available HIV services, and support CAB involvement in relevant community initiatives. 
  • Providing consumer input around RI EOHHS HIV Provision of Care Program initiatives and planning.
  • Checking in with and supporting fellow CAB members 
  • Activities pertaining to maintenance, logistics, and organization of the CAB (e.g. amending CAB By-Laws, planning for CAB meetings and activities, CAB recruitment).

CAB Accomplishments

The RI CAB is proud to have accomplished quite a lot over the last few years! Below are some examples of recent CAB activities and achievements: 

  • Participated in Quality Management training for health care providers and worked with RI EOHHS on the RI Consumer Needs Assessment. 
  • Provided feedback/input to RI EOHHS by participating in needs assessment, surveys, focus groups, and dialogues, ensuring people living with HIV/AIDS are involved with program development. 
  • Trained in how to advocate for increased HIV resources/support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
  • Coordinated educational events for people living with HIV/AIDS including a workshop on HIV and Aging to help folks better manage their diagnosis and learn how various factors affect their health.
  • Engaged in ongoing review of Clinikly.ai (formerly TAVIE) technology and provided consumer input to RI EOHHS regarding this technology.
  • Participated and hosted a table at the annual Rhode Island AIDS Run/Walk for Life.
  • Hosted the 2021 CAB Conference, a conference by and for people and families living with HIV.
  • Assisted AIDS Quilt RI in designing and presenting the AIDS Quilts to the community.
  • Participated with Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) CAB discussions during federal site visits to Rhode Island. 

The RI Consumer Advisory Board is a group of people either living with or affected by HIV living in Rhode Island. The RI CAB strives to maintain a membership of between 10 and 21 individuals, and membership is drawn from consumers of HIV/AIDS services in Rhode Island. In addition, the RI CAB seeks to have as diverse a membership as possible so that the perspectives of people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, sexual orientations, etc. are represented. 

CAB Member Roles & Responsibilities

CAB members elect fellow members to serve as CAB Officers, providing leadership and support to the CAB. CAB Officers are elected for a two-year term to the following roles: CAB Chair; CAB Co-Chairs (2); CAB Secretary. Responsibilities specific to each CAB Officer position are outlined within the RI CAB By-Laws.

All CAB members commit to specific responsibilities outlined within the RI CAB By-Laws, such as: 

  • Opening dialogues with other consumers.
  • Sharing RI CAB activities with other consumer advisory boards, community-based groups, and consumers/providers interested in the work of the RI CAB.
  • Mentoring new CAB members.
  • Attending monthly RI CAB meetings. 
  • Contributing to group work as needed, such as helping to plan future meetings and prepare materials/updates, and supporting recruitment efforts. 

How CAB Members are Selected

The following individuals are eligible to apply for RI CAB membership:

  • Any individual living with HIV/AIDS in RI, OR;
  • The parent or guardian of an individual under the age of 18 living with HIV/AIDS in RI, OR; 
  • Any individual who is affected by HIV/AIDS and living in RI.

Recruitment of new RI CAB members occurs on an as needed basis and looks to have true representation of all diverse categories of people living with HIV/AIDS and families and partners of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout Rhode Island. 

Individuals who wish to apply for RI CAB membership must complete this CAB Member Application. Eligible applicants are invited to participate in an initial interview with CAB Officers to learn more about the group and discuss their interest in joining, and they are then invited to observe a CAB meeting. Applicants are then accepted or denied CAB membership based upon a majority vote by all active CAB members. 

Interested in joining the RI CAB?

The CAB is currently at capacity, but we’d love to have you in the future! Check in with us via email at any time to learn more: RIRWCAB@jsi.com

Connect With Us!

If you have any questions regarding the RI CAB or are interested in learning more, inquiring about potential collaborations, sharing resources, etc., please feel free to reach out to us via email. Your email will be answered by a member of the JSI team that helps to facilitate the RI CAB, and they will be able to connect you with other individuals involved in the RI CAB as needed. 

The resources provided below may assist you in learning more about the RI CAB. For additional resources, please visit the RI EOHHS Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Webpage.