Overview and Purpose
The purpose of the CIN2.0 is to foster collaboration and collective action, share knowledge and identify capacity building opportunities, all directed at the long-standing inequities in accessing health care and/or harm reduction services in small urban, rural, and remote (SURR) communities. Our efforts will be focused on addressing inequities for people living with, or at risk of, HIV, hepatitis C, and those at risk of overdose due to the drug poisoning crisis.
For example, at a PAN gathering in Vernon in September 2024, we ran a brainstorm session to collect feedback regarding health inequities in SURR communities. Key themes which arose were: Lack of Access to hepatitis C and HIV Testing; Linkage to HIV/hepatitis C Care; Support and Connections; Education; Advocacy; Stigma; Funding; Community Collaboration and Planning; and Lack of Access to Harm Reduction services. These themes echo much of what we have heard over the years at our Member and Allies’ meetings, or through our annual surveys.
Membership of the CIN2.0
We are inviting PAN members that work in SURR communities, as well as those that have a provincial mandate. We will be joined by the PHSA, to whom we are grateful for funding this project. Membership may also include representatives of other health authorities, TBD.
We are also inviting peers who will be compensated for their time and leadership. We have recently updated our processes to facilitate fast payment for their time. If you are interested in applying for one of the peer consultant positions, please email [email protected].
To find out more about the project, and the roles and responsibilities, check out:
CIN2.0 Terms of Reference – Oct 2024
CIN2.0 Peer Consultant Job Description – Oct 2024
Meetings
The length of regular meetings is to be determined, and we anticipate that this table will meet every two months. Further collective action work would take place virtually between meetings, by those who have the capacity to carry that forward. In-person regional meetings will augment the work (up to 2 per year), likely as a part of other PAN events.
RSVP
If the purpose aligns with your passion and work, we would love to have you at the first full meeting on November 27th at 12noon. Please contact [email protected] if you haven’t received the invite. If you cannot make the first meeting but would like to be a part, please also let us know.