What's New at our Center?

New Rural Guidelines Published

RCAP released a new publication at the its national conference in April, 2009, titled Tearing Down Fences: HIV/STD Prevention in Rural America (pp. 118). This guide is the first to focus on HIV/STD prevention is rural communities, and reflects the perspective of the HIV/STD Prevention Work Group as well as other selected rural HIV/STD professionals. Leaders in HIV/STD prevention in rural areas throughout the United States (the Work Group) were identified and provided the foundational messages of the guide during a meeting at the RCAP campus of Indiana University.

FENCES was sponsored by RCAP and five co-sponsors: National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, National Association of People with AIDS, National Coalition of STD Directors, National Minority AIDS Council and the National Rural Health Association. The final document was developed by senior editor and RCAP co-director, Susan Dreisbach and the RCAP staff. A electronic copy of this guide will be placed on the RCAP website in the next few months.

Hard copies of FENCES are available now by contacting RCAP. Individual copies or multiple copies for professional HIV/STD staff members, in-service training and conferences are available. 

Ryan White Distinguished Leadership Award

RCAP has initiated an award to recognize outstanding leadership in HIV/STD prevention, called the Ryan White Distinguished Leadership Award.  This award is in recognition of Ryan White, a rural Indiana youth who contracted HIV in 1984 and died in 1990. Ryan faced discrimination that drew national attention. He was a powerful spokesperson for AIDS research and education. This award will be given at each RCAP national conference.

The first recipient of this award is Jeanne White Ginder, Ryan's mother. Jeanne became an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and an activist for the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS after her son was banned from school. Jeanne is a most deserving first recipient of the Ryan White Distinguished Leadership Award.

The award was presented to Jeanne at the RCAP 2009 national conference.

New Fact Sheet Available

RCAP recently developed a new fact sheet, “Computer Technology-Based HIV Prevention Interventions.” Click the “fact sheet” tab for a PDF copy. Contact RCAP for free copies of the printed fact sheet (multiple copies are available for no charge).

2008 RCAP Monograph Available

RCAP published its seventh monograph dealing largely with HIV/STD prevention and research in rural communities. Click on the above "Monograph Articles" tab for PDFs of the table of contents, each article, and contributors list. Free copies of the monograph are available from RCAP.

New Fact Sheet Available

RCAP recently developed a new fact sheet, “Behavioral Interventions for Reducing Sexual Risk.” Click the “fact sheet” tab for a PDF copy. Contact RCAP for free copies of the printed fact sheet (multiple copies are available for no charge).

2007 Conference Proceedings Available

The proceedings for the fifth RCAP national conference, “HIV/STD Prevention in Rural Communities: Sharing Successful Strategies V,” conducted at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, April 5-7, 2007, is available.  Contact RCAP for a free copy – be sure to provide your name and mailing address.

New Fact Sheet Available

RCAP recently developed a new fact sheet, "HIV/AIDS Mass Media Campaigns." Click the "fact sheet" tab for a PDF copy. Contact RCAP for free copies of the printed fact sheet (multiple copies are available for no charge.)

2005 RCAP Monograph Available

RCAP has published its sixth monograph dealing largely in HIV/STD prevention and research in rural communities. Table of Contents is available for review. Contact RCAP for free copies of the sixth monograph.

Native American Communities Guidelines Available

In collaboration with the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center,RCAP has developed the prevention guidelines, HIV/STD Prevention Guidelines for Native American Communities: American Indians, Alaskan Natives, & Native Hawaiians. Copies are available free of charge. For special purposes, multiple copies can be provided. Contact RCAP to request free copies. Also, the entire document is available as PDF files (view cover; view guidelines).

Standards for STD/HIV Prevention Curricula in Secondary Schools Available

A checklist of 63 standards that school officials and educators can use to evaluate their existing STD/HIV prevention education programs or to develop new curricula and materials was published in the October/November 2002 issue of the SIECUS Report. The standards, authored by RCAP senior director, William L. Yarber, include topics, essential messages, and learning approaches, emphasizing health-enhancing behaviors. A free copy of the standards is available from RCAP.

RCAP Provides Fax/E-Mail Information Service

To further our goal of providing current HIV/STD information to rural prevention specialists, RCAP issues monthly bulletins, RAP Time. This publication is available either as a fax bulletin or email (plain script), or both. If you would like to receive these free bulletins, please contact RCAP. For the fax version, please include name and fax number. For the e-mail version, please include your name and e-mail address.