The Administration on Aging (AoA) will host a free webinar “The Graying of HIV/AIDS: Community Resources for the Aging Services Network”Exit Disclaimer on Wednesday January 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Register here.

This session will explore community programs and resources associated with positive aging and HIV prevention, including the new AoA Older Adults and HIV/AIDS Tool “HIV: Know the Risks. Get the Facts.” We at HIV.gov are excited to be part of this webinar. The following speakers will present and take questions:

• Dr. Charles Emlet, Professor of Social Work, University of Washington, Tacoma and affiliate faculty with the University of Washington Center for AIDS ResearchExit Disclaimer;
• Joan DeVaughn, Healthy Aging Project Director, Area Agency on Aging PSA9Exit Disclaimer;
• Diana Travieso Palow, Chief, HIV Education Branch, Division of Training and Technical Assistance, HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA;
• Aisha Moore, Communications Director, HIV.gov; and,
• Carol Crecy, Director, Office of Outreach and Consumer Information, AoA.

In exploring webinar participation with AoA, we shared our experience in planning webinars and referred them to the HIV.gov webinar reference sheet. We thought we’d share what we learned from speaking with Danielle Nelson of the Office of Home and Community Based Services at AoA:Who is the intended audience? AoA invites all aging service professionals, commonly referred to as the National Aging Network and welcomes the HIV/AIDS community.

What are the objectives of the webinar? AoA hopes to expand the knowledge of aging services providers – who work in key settings such as senior centers, congregate housing, and more – to enable them to better connect people aged 50 and older with HIV prevention, care and treatment services.

What is the benefit of offering a webinar? Webinars can reach many participants quickly without travel costs. Archiving can extend the reach. Visit this page soon to access the archived webinar.How is AoA using new media to reach this audience? Danielle suggested we check out AoA’s tweets from the new AoA Twitter accountExit Disclaimer. AoA’s Facebook pageExit Disclaimer also promotes the event. (For more about AoA’s decision to join Facebook, read this post).

This webinar is a wonderful opportunity for professionals from two important human service communities to learn from each other -- all with the goal of improving access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

How do webinars fit into your program? How are you working with your local aging services network? Please let us know.