Please consider writing to City Council (Budget and Finance Committee) about keeping vital services separated.

My first concern is about the proposed consolidation of the Human Relations Commission into a Human Services Department.

The Human Relations Commission is a unique department charged with ensuring that all communities have a voice. I am concerned that amalgamating the Human Relations Commission into a generic Human Services Department will take away from its mandate as a neutral body designed to ensure community inclusion and advocacy, thus weakening its ability to provide non-political conflict resolution services.

In addition, the leadership of the Human Relations Commission best understands the complexities of human relations work and how to best identify the needs of diverse communities in Los Angeles.

I hope that you will consider the importance and strength of the Human Relations Commission in serving marginalized communities in Los Angeles. Please strongly consider advocating City Council toward maintaining the independence and neutrality of the Human Relations Commission as an autonomous entity.

Here is a sample letter:

Dear Budget and Finance Committee:

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed consolidation of the Human Relations Commission into a Human Services Department.

The Human Relations Commission is a unique department charged with ensuring that all communities have a voice. I am concerned that amalgamating the Human Relations Commission into a generic Human Services Department will take away from its mandate as a neutral body designed to ensure community inclusion and advocacy, thus weakening its ability to provide non-political conflict resolution services.

In addition, the leadership of the Human Relations Commission best understands the complexities of human relations work and how to best identify the needs of diverse communities in Los Angeles.

I hope that you will consider the importance and strength of the Human Relations Commission in serving marginalized communities in Los Angeles. Please strongly consider maintaining the independence and neutrality of the Human Relations Commission as an autonomous entity.

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Below is a notice from the Commission on Disability. What it does not emphasize is that the AIDS Coordinator's Office would end up at the bottom of this pile.

This would not improve efficiency. This would pit us against the other programs for priorities. If the community cares about having an effective and independent AIDS Coordinator's Office, they should let their Councilmembers know.

CALL FOR SUPPORT

CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY

THE PROBLEM:
Once again the existence of the Department on Disability (DOD) and the Commission on Disability (COD) is threatened in the City's budget process.

This threat is very real.

THE BUDGET :
The City Council's Budget and Finance Committee is considering exterminating the DOD and COD as they now exist and merging their roles and functions into a single entity comprised of the Department of Aging, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Human Relations Commission and the Commission on Children, Youth and Families.

This will severely limit the ability of persons with disabilities to advocate for services they need and issues important to their communities.

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What does the City AIDS Coordinator do? http://www.ci.la.ca.us/DOD/aids/index.htm

AIDS Education and Prevention

The AIDS Coordinator's Office develops and manages contracts with community-based organizations to provide AIDS education and prevention services, with special outreach to the populations hardest hit by the epidemic. Activities include HIV counseling and testing referrals, distribution of HIV/AIDS educational materials, support groups, peer-led risk reduction sessions and syringe exchange. Click here for links to our prevention contractors.

Click here for more information on Syringe Exchange.

AIDS Policy Planning

The AIDS Coordinator's Office handles a number of AIDS policy and planning activities for the City of Los Angeles including:

* Implementation and oversight of the City of Los Angeles' AIDS policy.
* Advising the Mayor and City Council on HIV/AIDS policy questions.
* Development of City initiatives to fund prevention activities and support services for people with HIV/AIDS.
* Collaboration with other governmental and community organizations to develop HIV/AIDS services, funding, planning and policy in Los Angeles.

Technical Assistance for Events

The AIDS Coordinator's Office assists organizations in developing seminars, workshops, public forums and publications designed to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention efforts and improve services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the City of Los Angeles.

Research

The AIDS Coordinator's Office provides funding and expertise for innovative research into HIV/AIDS risk behaviors, prevention techniques and treatments. These studies help to illuminate HIV/AIDS prevention and care needs in Los Angeles. Click here to view past studies.

Media Campaigns

The AIDS Coordinator's Office supports media campaigns to educate the public about HIV/AIDS issues and encourage testing, treatment and safe behaviors.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

CONTACT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor, (213) 978-0600, mayor@lacity.org

CONTACT EACH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER:

Ed P. Reyes, First District
(213) 473-7001 Ed.P.Reyes@lacity.org

Wendy Greuel, Second District
(213) 473-7002 Wendy.greuel@lacity.org

Dennis P. Zine, Third District
(213) 473-7003 Dennis.Zine@lacity.org

Tom La Bonge, Fourth District
(213) 485-3337 LaBonge@lacity.org

Weiss, Fifth District
(213) 473-7005 Jack.weiss@lacity.org

Tony Cardenas, Sixth District
(213) 473-7006 Tony.Cardenas@lacity.org

Richard Alarcón, Seventh District
(213) 847-7777 Richard.Alarcon@lacity.org

Bernard C. Parks, Eighth District
(213) 473-7008 Bernard.C.Parks@lacity.org

Jan Perry, Ninth District
(213) 473-7009 Jan.Perry@lacity.org

Herb J. Wesson, Jr. Tenth District
(213) 473-7010 councilmember.Wesson@lacity.org

Bill Rosendahl, Eleventh District
(213) 473-7011 Bill.Rosendahl@lacity.org

Greig L. Smith, Twelfth District
(213) 473-7012 Greig.Smith@lacity.org

Eric Garcetti, Thirteenth District
(213) 473-7013 Eric.Garcetti@lacity.org

Jose Huizar, Fourteenth District
(213) 473-7014 Jose.Huizar@lacity.org

Janice Hahn, Fifteenth District
(213) 473-7015 Janice.Hahn@lacity.org

You can determine your City Councilmember by goingonline to http://www.lacity.org and typing in your address.