E-Mails and Letters

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05bfd523.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cape Fear Regional Bureau For Community Action, Inc.</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cape Fear Regional Bureau For Community "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cape Fear Regional Bureau For Community "><U><B><IMG SRC="04e0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="up" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>    </B><A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NC AIDS Advisory Council"><U><B><IMG SRC="04d0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Educational Articles"><U><B><IMG SRC="04f0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.capefearregionalbureauforcommunityactioninc.org/mf.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.capefearregionalbureauforcomm"><U><B>Click Here For Site Map</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> <embed src="HTMLobj-349/You_ve_Got_Mail.wav" autostart="true" hidden="true">  </B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="23fd2993.jpg"> <div> <B> <img src="HTMLobj-324/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="44" height="51">  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We welcome your E-mails and letters.</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>E-Mails and Letters</B></I></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="email_letters"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>______________________________________________________</B></div> <div> <B>LETTERS RECEIVED:  </B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>May 12, 2003</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Mr.. Ashley Rozier, Director and Chief Executive Officer </B></div> <div> <B>Cape Fear Regional Bureau for Community Action Inc. </B></div> <div> <B>Fayetteville, NC </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Dear Mr.. Rozier; </B></div> <div> <B>Please excuse the informal nature of this communication, however, As I shared with you I have been fortunate enough to have been granted an audience with a joint members only meeting of the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses in Washington, DC tomorrow morning and thus have to leave shortly to travel to DC. While this very well could have waited until my return or staff could have prepared this, it was important to me that I write to you while your presentation and the surrounding events are still fresh in my mind.</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>As the Associate Director for Prevention Policy at Gay Mens Health Crisis, (the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organization in the United States), you can imagine that I have been to presentations and workshops all around the country at least two dozen of which have focused on hard to reach populations. In the past two years or so, that has mostly meant focusing on African American Men, and more specifically African American "non-gay Identified" or "DL" men. As an African-American man myself, I must say that I have often been disturbed by the often pathologizing and demonizing tone of these workshops with regards to this population. At the outset of your presentation, I feared that we were "going there" again, and I almost left- I am so glad that I stayed. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>After listening to your presentation and the opportunity that I had to consult afterwards with you and your obviously bright and capable staff member (I believe his name was Tony X), I am convinced that it is programs like yours and interventions such as yours, that will ultimately be the key to success in intervening with this population. One of the unintended detrimental consequences of the "gay rights" movement has been that people who may engage in MSM activities but choose not to identify as "gay" (for whatever reason- and they are NOT always reasons of pathology or self-hatred), are marginalized. In effect, identification as "gay" has been the price of the ticket to access many HIV and STI prevention services, what we are finding is that this price is not one that many in our community who are most in need of services, are willing to pay, and so they are not reached. Spiraling infection rates and "head in the sand" postures have resulted. I share, wholeheartedly, your belief that nothing of consequence has ever happened in the African-American Community without at least the tacit assent of the African American church, most of whom see the destruction and are ready to help, but are not ready to adopt the doctrine of complete equity between heterosexuality and homosexuality. It is my sincere hope that they one day will, but we can not wait for that day to invite them to the table. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>As a born and raised "northern boy" who had the opportunity to live in and travel extensively throughout the State of North Carolina as a former Senior Staffer for Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt's unsuccessful United States Senate race, I understand and recognize the very real differences between what will work in Fayetteville and what will work in New York, DC or even Atlanta. In my estimation, you have your finger uniquely on the pulse of your community. You, (and your staff), appear to have an instinctive grasp of what it is that your community needs and you appear to be poised to deliver it and committed to sustaining it. While I am often asked, it is not often that I write letters endorsing specific programs, it is even more seldom that I commit to advocating for these programs within the resource circles that I often myself in, I hereby am willing to do both for you, as I am convinced of your real potential to make a tangible difference in the community that you serve. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In addition, as a former TA and CBA provider, I am willing to make myself available to you for on-site assistance in areas that you had identified to me as needing strengthening in your organization. While the hectic nature of my schedule may mean that it will not always be able to be me, personally, who comes to help, I am committed to doing all that I can as often as I can to ensure that you get the resources and continue to develop and sustain the requisite infrastructure to implement some of your innovative ideas. I am also more than willing to speak with anyone you think appropriate or before any audience you think appropriate on your behalf. While your presentation had an admittedly rocky start, I can honestly say that the information you provided and subsequent conversations we had represented the highlight of my Raleigh trip. Please know that as I travel to meet with Congressman Cummings (D-MD) and Congressman Rodriguez (D-TX) and their respective caucuses, your program will be foremost in my mind when staff asks, as they inevitably do, for examples of model programs.</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Please feel free to share this with Mrs.. Foust or whoever else you think this might be helpful with and do not hesitate to contact me via the below information. I look forward to working with you and your organization on what I am confident are our shared goals ! </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Mark Jason McLaurin </B></div> <div> <B>Associate Director for Prevention Policy </B></div> <div> <B>GMHC </B></div> <div> <B>119 West 24th Street </B></div> <div> <B>New York, NY 10011 </B></div> <div> <B>(212) 367-1456-Phone </B></div> <div> <B>(212) 367-1235-Fax </B></div> <div> <B>(410) 935-7039-Cell </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The information contained in this message may be CONFIDENTIAL and is for the intended addressee only. Any unauthorized use, dissemination of the information, or copying of this message is prohibited. If you are not the intended addressee, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="november_02_2002"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>November 02, 2002</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Cape Fear Regional Bureau For Community Action, Inc.</B></div> <div> <B>110 ½ Gillespie Street</B></div> <div> <B>Fayetteville, North Carolina 28302-2065</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Dear Mr. Rozier, Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Recently I traveled to your great city to be reunited with my oldest son whom I had not seen in ten years. I appreciate the work you, the Board, Staff and all the many volunteers have done in Cape Fear Regional Bureau for Community Action. I am elated that you all have such stabilizing influence in your Association for both citizens and non-citizens of Fayetteville. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>May I take this opportunity to express personal gratitude of my entire family for your very kind, helpful and complete aid given to our son John during his time of physical, mental and social collapse. You, Mr. Rozier, the most dedicated Board Members, such a hard working Staff and so many Volunteers with a great love for humanity on the lost side of life's path will certainly go down in God's book of Remembrance. After ten years of heartache, sleepless nights, declining health, and searching to no avail for our son, comes October 31, 2002, the greatest day in the history of our family; your Associations make it possible for us to be reunited with our son.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>All of you gave our son courage to say as the Prodigal's son, "I will arise and go black to my father's house." The men and women of this fantastic Association has certainly made Fayetteville, North Carolina one of the greatest place in our world.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>John is very happy to be home, his siblings ore over whelmed with unspeakable joy to have their oldest brother back with them after such a long and hard time. We are currently working hard to get John into counseling and under medical care to get him back to good health. Doing all we can and know to do to complete the great job your efficient Association and Program started for him.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Living in a large city, I have witnessed people in need receive aid, but never have I witnessed such loyalty and love this Board, Staff and Volunteers have exemplified.. Your Association addresses the whole person and every problem. Unlike any aid program I have seen before now, you, the Board, Staff and Volunteers meet every need whether a person is homeless, addicted to drugs or alcohol, health issues both physical and mental and above all you encourage them to allow the almighty God to guide and help them back to that solid and functional life.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>We had been praying and asking our God to send someone to help us in finding our dear son and through all of you, our prayers are answered when we needed it most. Thanks to all of you for allowing God to answer our prayers through you and your Association. If there is ever a “Good Samaritan Award," of a truth Cape Fear Regional Bureau For Community Action will receive the Award!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>My honest prayer for all of you is that the joy you have brought to our family by caring for our son these past months and not stopping there, but making it possible for the return of our beloved son to his family and friends who loves and care so very much. for him. Whatever else is lost among the years, we shall always keep you Mr. Rozier this supportive Board, caring Staff and unselfish Volunteers in our daily prayers. Your kindness and support will always be one of our most treasured memories.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>May the Lord bless and keep each of you, your families and love ones. Continue this great and most need work.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I remain your humble servant in Christ</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="399" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="395"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="395" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="395"><div> <B>Rev. Dr. S. M. S., Georgia, USA</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> _____________________________________________________________________________________</div> <div> <B>EMAIL RECEIVED FROM NMAC:</B></div> <div>   </div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Online Health Insurance Portability and Accountability </div> <div> Act Resources Readily Available<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued a list of resources related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  CMS is responsible for implementing various provisions of HIPAA, a law mandating that anyone belonging to a group health insurance plan must be allowed to purchase health insurance within an interval of time beginning when the previous coverage is lost. The law protects employees, especially those with serious illnesses, from losing health insurance due to a change in employment status.  Premiums, however, are not regulated. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> To access HIPAA resources, visit: </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CMS Website - http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa.  A model compliance extension form, Frequently Asked Questions, links to other HIPAA sites and information on regulations and the law are located here. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> FREE Video - CMS' Meeting the HIPAA Challenge: Implementing the Administrative Simplifications of HIPAA.  For free video, e-mail your request to <A HREF="mailto: piperk@itsa.ucsf.edu" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: piperk@itsa.ucsf.edu"><U>mailto</U></A><A HREF="mailto: piperk@itsa.ucsf.edu" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: piperk@itsa.ucsf.edu"><U>: piperk@itsa.ucsf.edu</U></A> or call (410) 786-4232. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> FREE Listserve - http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/lsnotify.htm.  Sign up to receive notification when proposed or final rules on HIPAA have been published in the Federal Register (The Federal Register is the place where the government, upon passing a law, tells the public how the law will be implemented). </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CMS  <A HREF="mailto: askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov"><U>mailto</U></A><A HREF="mailto: askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov"><U>: askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov</U></A>.  Send questions on HIPAA administrative simplification here. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CMS HIPAA Hotline - This hotline (410-786-4232) has been established to help answer your HIPAA administrative simplification questions. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Privacy-related information - <A HREF="http://http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/whatsnew.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/what"><U>http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/whatsnew.html</U></A>. </div> <div> The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office for Civil Rights oversees the privacy requirements.  Visit their website for more information. Privacy-related questions should be <A HREF="mailto: OCRPrivacy@hhs.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: OCRPrivacy@hhs.gov"><U>mailto</U></A><A HREF="mailto: OCRPrivacy@hhs.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: OCRPrivacy@hhs.gov"><U>: OCRPrivacy@hhs.gov</U></A> or 1-866-627-7748. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Other information on administrative simplification requirements of HIPAA can be found at <A HREF="http://http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/admnsimp/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/admnsimp/"><U>http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/admnsimp/</U></A>. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> CMS Medicaid HIPAA web address - <A HREF="http://http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/hipaa/adminsim/ " TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/hipa"><U>http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/hipaa/adminsim/ </U></A></div> <bR> <div> -- THE NATIONAL MINORITY AIDS COUNCIL</div> <div> __________________________________ </div> <bR> <bR> <div> You are receiving this communication because you subscribed to the National Minority AIDS Council's email message service.  For additional NMAC subscriptions, please visit http://www.nmac.org and indicate the lists you wish to receive.  You can also unsubscribe using the same web page.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> We wish to thank the sponsors of this service, Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health (http://www.nih.gov/od/oar) and Health Resources & Services Administration (<A HREF="http://http://www.hab.hrsa.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://http://www.hab.hrsa.gov"><U>http://www.hab.hrsa.gov</U></A>). The contents of this message are the sole responsibility of NMAC and do not necessarily represent the official view of OAR/NIH or HRSA/HAB. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Please check out the latest information on our web page by going to <A HREF="http://http://www.hab.hrsa.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://http://www.hab.hrsa.gov"><U>http://www.hab.hrsa.gov</U></A>. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Information from this message and at http://www.nmac.org is drawn mostly from secondary sources. Information contained is not meant to constitute medical advice nor diagnostic information. People living with HIV/AIDS should share information of interest with their primary care provider before making treatment choices. The presence of the name or image of any individual on http://www.nmac.org or within this message should not be construed as an indication of their HIV status, unless specifically stated. Questions or comments should be directed to info@nmac.org or sent via postal mail to the National Minority AIDS Council at 1931 13th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-4432.</div> <bR> <div> _____________________________________________________________________________________</div> <div>   </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>