Zero is Possible – Indiana (ZIP-IN) is a statewide initiative bringing together the essential people, tools, and resources to end the HIV epidemic and eliminate Hepatitis C (HCV) in Indiana.
What is a coalition?
In simplest terms, a coalition is a group of individuals and/or organizations with a common interest who agree to work together toward a common goal. That goal could be as narrow as obtaining funding for a specific intervention, or as broad as trying to improve permanently the overall quality of life for most people in the community. By the same token, the individuals and organizations involved might be drawn from a narrow area of interest, or might include representatives of nearly every segment of the community, depending upon the breadth of the issue.
Coalitions may be loose associations in which members work for a short time to achieve a specific goal, and then disband. They may also become organizations in themselves, with governing bodies, particular community responsibilities, funding, and permanence. They may draw from a community, a region, a state, or even the nation as a whole (the National Coalition to Ban Handguns, for instance). Regardless of their size and structure, they exist to create and/or support efforts to reach a particular set of goals.
- From The University of Kansas
The goal of the ZIP Coalitions is specifically to end the epidemics of HIV and HCV in Indiana. This is done by bringing each stakeholder together to identify the needs of people in each coalition area. Then, the coalitions move to action to build a system of supports and services to address those needs. This can be done when the stakeholders all
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align their resources,
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work in collaboration and
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share best practices, experiences, and resources
in order to end the HIV epidemic and eliminate Hepatitis C (HCV) in Indiana.
What are ZIP Coalitions?
ZIP Coalitions are a coordinated, community-based approach to identifying needs, building a system of supports and services to address those needs, and collectively monitoring progress and working together to strengthen the system to meet the needs of all community members. They are responsible for leading regional efforts to end the HIV epidemic and eliminate HCV in Indiana, which includes engaging diverse partners, especially PWLE, and using data and information to set priorities and act strategically.
How are ZIP Coalitions Structured?
ZIP Coalitions are formed based on Sherry Arnstein's Ladder of Community Participation where community stakeholders, including People with Lived Experience (PWLE) generate their goals and strategies to achieve them. The goal of the Zip Coalition structures is that at all times we work in the top rungs of the ladder, within the area of Citizen Power.
Zero is Possible: Indiana’s Plan to End HIV and Hepatitis C (ZIP-IN Plan) represents a collaborative
effort, informed by healthcare and community partners across the state, and is aligned with the
national Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) and the Viral Hepatitis National
Strategic Plan for the United States: A Roadmap for Elimination, 2021-2025. The ZIP-IN Plan
presents an approach to collectively address HIV and HCV, due to the shared high-risk
populations, barriers to treatment, healthcare providers and community support networks, and
opportunities to develop a comprehensive, whole-person approach to patient care, counseling,
and treatment. The strategies within the
ZIP-IN Plan were developed in consultation with a wide array of healthcare providers, community partners, and people with lived experience, who participated in listening sessions, focus groups, surveys, and technical workgroups over a
research and planning period spanning more than a year.
Why a coalition?
At this point, you might be wondering why the ZIP-IN initiative was created as coalitions. After all, it sounds complicated!
The reason why is simple: the best way to change a community is to empower and excite community members to make that change. If we really want to end the HIV epidemic and eliminate Hepatitis C (HCV) in Indiana (and we do) we must mobilize passionate individuals and coordinate as a community to meet our goals.
Successful coalitions will help:
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Bring about the changes members want to see. The collective voice of many people working together on a problem is usually much more powerful than a single voice.
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Empower PWLE, especially those who haven't traditionally had much power. Improving the conditions which shape their lives can increase people's sense of their own worth and capabilities, helping them to live more fulfilling lives.
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Increase self-sufficiency among community members. Organizing people to bring about change helps maintain a high level of ownership by people for their own destinies.
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Increase social support. By bringing together diverse groups of people who are working for the same cause, people get the chance to talk and learn with others they may not have met otherwise. Both professionally and socially, community organization offers ample opportunity for growth and enjoyment among those who come together.
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Promote equity in the society. When people gain control over the forces that shape their lives, it changes the balance of power in the community, spreading it more broadly and distributing it more nearly equally. That, in turn, changes for the better the circumstances of those with the least power, making for a more just society.
- From The University of Kansas
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The ZIP Coalition model is a promising strategy for building the capacity of traditional and newly engaged partners to lead HIV/HCV elimination efforts in their community. The stronger the ZIP Coalition is, the more impactful their work will be. At a minimum, ZIP Coalition leadership involves organizing meetings, follow-up, documentation, and logistics, which require staff time. Additionally, ZIP Coalitions must have the capacity to facilitate meetings, track progress toward goals, prepare materials and reports, and communicate with stakeholders and partners. Each region has different capacity levels to confidently tackle the range of expectations and activities. Currently, ZIP Coalitions receive financial support from the IDOH designed to offset costs associated with coalition management as well as technical assistance from partners including The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis and the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC).
Power in People
ZIP Coalitions are driven by individuals and organizations committed to working together to end the HIV epidemic and eliminate HCV, and to support optimal quality of life for people living with HIV/HCV. Each coalition is led by a small team of passionate, strategic, community leaders. Ideally, this team of three to five people represents a variety of sectors, interests, and communities.
The work of engaging stakeholders to collectively identify and meet the needs of populations served requires a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative approach. ZIP Coalitions work together to establish a shared understanding of key issues, and to develop a leadership and management framework that supports and directs their work together.
ZIP Coalitions meet at least quarterly but may meet more frequently if they choose. Agendas are developed in advance and include:
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Data review, interpretation, and discussion in the context of change from previous quarters – (IDOH provides quarterly community- and agency-level data reports)
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Identification of emerging opportunities and challenges
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Strategy adjustments such as identifying and recruiting additional partners, collaborating to provide programs and services, and identifying additional data or information to be collected and reported back to the group
Additionally, agendas are sometimes enhanced with the following:
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Educational presentations on best practices, latest trends, etc.
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Partner updates and success stories
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Workgroup presentations or breakout discussions
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Assessment, planning, and/or evaluation activities
Engaging ZIP Coalition Coaches
In 2023, five ZIP Coalition Coaches began supporting the work of regional ZIP Coalitions to engage people with lived experience in regional efforts to end HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) in their communities. Coaches were engaged because our current systems do not ensure equal access to services and programs that diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond to HIV and HCV. In addition to having personal experience with HIV and/or HCV, the coaches have experience with coaching, community organizing, coalition or community building, and/or advocacy.
Coaches collaborate with ZIP Coalition leadership teams to ensure that people living with HIV and/or HCV and people from historically and systematically marginalized communities are meaningfully engaged in coalition work. Coaches help the Coalitions create a welcoming environment for PWLE and provide encouragement and connection to tools, resources, and strategies for reaching into the community to invite people to the table.
Meet the Coaches!
Greg Coulter
(they/he)
Living with HIV for a decade has given me profound insights into the challenges many face while living with HIV. One part of this is witnessing people's need for community. I am excited to be a ZIP IN Coach because it helps me help my community: with our shared goal of bringing more people with lived experience to the table, we are helping to build community. By guiding coalitions to include these voices, we are empowering people with lived experience. Strength rises from empowerment.
Nick Atkinson-Tavai
(he/him)
I work to empower my community to re-write the story of HIV in Indiana, one voice at a time. Amongst us living with HIV, there are so many unique stories from our young, our old, our mothers, our brothers, and those who are still finding the strength to have their voice heard. All their experiences are invaluable guides to how we can connect and overcome HIV in our communities. By being a ZIP coalition coach, I strive to bring these voices to the forefront of the conversation. We can change HIV in our communities from a story of great loss, to a story of our greatest triumph – together.
Kristina Majstoric
(she/her)
There have been many times in my life where I questioned if I deserved a seat at any table, and plenty more where I couldn’t even seem to find a table or chair in sight, and I know I am not alone in that. I know I would not be where I am today if someone didn’t pull up a chair and invite me to sit down with them. Each person has their own unique voice and life experiences, and I believe the ZIP coalition helps to foster an environment of inclusivity and empowers individuals to utilize their personal experiences as a vehicle of change. As a person with a history of substance use and Hepatitis C, I will continue to learn and share my knowledge about HCV, HIV, safer sex practices, safe use practices, overdose prevention, and recovery. I advocate for people’s right to health and wellness, the power of sharing information, and person-centered care. I really appreciate the way that the ZIP coalition is structured and how it includes everyone’s voice and embraces the expertise of people’s living/lived experience. A space like this provides a foundation of encouragement and support to those who may be having trouble finding the value of their own voices and experiences and provides so much hope for our future. I want to be a ZIP-IN Coach so I can help pull up someone else's chair and invite them to sit down with us. This is the kind of table I hope everyone finds.
Mark Hughes
(he/him)
I want to be a Zip IN Coach because I have been living with HIV and working in the Indiana HIV prevention and outreach field for over twenty years. I have served our community in various capacities, by being a member of the HIV/STIs/Viral Hepatitis Advisory Council and worked as a trainer and facilitator consultant for the National Minority AIDS Coalition (NMAC) ELEVATE Program. I led Brothers United Positive Organizing Project (POP) funded by AIDS United
During this funding we was able to develop the first state wide advocacy training network of people with lived experience (PWLE) of color. I serves as Co-Chair for Indiana HIV Modernization Movement (HMM) – Indiana Seeks to modernize Indiana’s HIV criminal and related public health laws. My motto is never give up on people. You must meet people where they are at and continue to invite them to the table. I do this work because it saves lives, much like those who put in the work that saved me.