The Philadelphia Center employs Chip Eakins, our Advocacy Coordinator, through funding from the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The focus of advocacy changes with the needs of our clients, trends in state politics, and with current events that require immediate action. The main issues for the Advocacy Department to address are:

•  The need to change the state HIV criminalization law.
• Change Medicaid expansion for PLWHIV.
• Change proper implementation of the PPACA for PLWHIV.
• Change any social issues that prevent us from stopping the spread of HIV.

We are progressively engaging our state officials as well as AIDS Advocacy Groups, throughout the state and nationally through speaking engagements and conferences. The role of advocacy is to give a voice to the clients of The Philadelphia Center, those affected by HIV/AIDS, and to educate policymakers and the greater community on HIV/AIDS.

Through Mr. Eakins continued work, the Philadelphia Center and its clients have a voice. If you have an advocacy issue or would like Mr. Eakins to speak to your organization or group, feel free to contact him at ceakins@philadelphiacenter.org or call (318) 222-6633 ext. 2029.