Grant Will Help Disseminate HIV/AIDS Awareness to the Campus Community By Mary-Ann Dogo-Isonagie The Department of Applied Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling (APRC) in Coppin State University’s (CSU) School of Professional Studies (SPS) has received an $85,000 grant from McFarland and Associates Inc., a subcontractor for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant will fund an initiative designed to begin filling important gaps in HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Hepatitis awareness within the CSU community and beyond through Student Peer Education (SPE). “This is indeed great news for the School of Professional Studies and the university,” said CSU President, Dr. Reginald Avery. “I appreciate the important efforts of those who wrote the grant. Such an initiative helps to propel Coppin to new heights of prosperity. Congratulations!” According to its website, McFarland and Associates Inc. located in Silver Spring Maryland, is a subcontractor of SAMHSA focusing on Substance Abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, strategy development, and funding opportunities for high risk populations. Two professors in APRC—Dr. Rolande Murray and Dr. Judith Kehe—with the encouragement of the SPS Dean, Dr. Beverly J. O’Bryant, wrote the proposal for this extremely competitive grant that will help educate its targeted communities about HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Hepatitis. CSU was among the 8 Historically Black Institutions (HBI) selected to receive this grant. “The grant’s purpose is to execute peer-outreach for HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Hepatitis,” said Dr. Murray, APRC Chair. “Anything that affects the community in which we live is definitely a huge issue and there aren’t funds in place through the system to resolve these issues. This is why this grant is a much needed service to Coppin and the campus community.” The grant’s benefits will go far beyond educating and providing a service. Students will develop their leadership skills as student peer educators and be selected and trained as Certified Peer Educators (CPEs) through the Bacchus and Gamma Peer Education Network, a university- and community-based network focusing on comprehensive health and safety initiatives. In addition to HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Hepatitis education, other services such as STDs testing will also be available to CSU students. “While the grant mandates that we provide testing and services on particular days like National Girl and Women Awareness Day, we have added two key components,” said Dr. Kehe. “We will be targeting the males on campus, and also women who are pregnant.” The grant’s services which started in November 16, 2009 will run until September 30, 2010. To learn more information about the grant and its services contact the School of Professional Studies at (410)-951-2666.