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“With Knowledge Comes Hope and Health ”

Toll Free Information and program support:
1-877-966-1558

Mail:
Positive Education, Inc.
3008 S. Malijo Ave., Tampa, FL 33629

E- Mail:
task@pos-ed.org

The History of Positive Education, Inc.

Joseph L. Lennox-Smith was diagnosed with HIV in June of 1987. His doctor at the time knew very little about HIV and simply said, “I’m sorry,” and had very little information to share. With in the next five years he would lose his partner of over 13 years and fall into ill health. He was determined to survive and to help others with HIV. He started volunteering at Tampa AIDS Network, and eventually joined their Board of Directors. Shortly there after he started volunteering at local American Red Cross chapter becoming their only paid instructor at the time, teaching HIV/AIDS 101, 104 and Blood Born Pathogens courses. He became frustrated with the fact that there was very little information for newly diagnosed patients; in the Navy and in his corporate life he had always been given some kind of training or an orientation course to let him know what to expect in his job, and how to accomplish his goals, but there seemed to be no training for those facing catastrophic illness. With this in mind he began work, in early January of 1997, on a curriculum for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Having been an instructor in the Navy reserve and in his corporate job this seemed a natural course to follow. The curriculum would come to be known as “ T.A.S.K.” ( The AIDS Survival Kit). It would take 9 months to collect information, compile and write the course. He was determined to make the course as comprehensive and user-friendly as possible. He, his board and associates would spend the next 5 years refining, correcting, simplifying, updating and developing T.A.S.K.

It was decided that the best way to disseminate this material was to incorporate as a Not for Profit Organization. Positive Education, Inc. was incorporated on November 13, 1997 and held its first official board meeting. They applied for, and received their 501(c) 3 educational non-profit organization later that month. The board would be made up of teachers, medical professionals, service providers and people infected, or affected with HIV/AIDS. In the years since the board has changed little. The board has steadfastly remained loyal to the mission of the organization.

Currently there are 43 associates in 9 states. Materials have been distributed in South East Asia and Europe. There are instructors actively giving classes in 6 Florida counties that are paid through local grants from Health departments and other grants. The State of Florida approved the curriculum and added it to their prevention material distribution list.

To describe in general how the virus works and to show why adhering to set drug regiments is so important

To show how HIV is transmitted

To suggest ways transmission can be prevented

To dispel some of the fear and confusion that surrounds HIV/AIDS by increasing the understanding of the physical, social, psychosocial and economic aspects of the disease

To enhance self-esteem and positive thinking

The text version covers a wide range of issues. The online and audio version is more abbreviated.

PLWH CONCERNS AND ISSUES

Proper health care

Case management

How the virus works

The importance of viral load testing

Other factors to consider to maintain good health

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The ADA and other laws that protect against discrimination

OSHA

Partner notification

Leaving your job

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Social Security (SSI & SSD)

Medicare and Medicaid

Returning to work

Vocational rehabilitation

Ryan White & General Revenue Funds

Housing (HOPWA)

Medications (ADAP & Patient Asst Programs)

LEGAL ISSUES

Advance directives

Health Care Surrogate

Power of Attorney

Wills & Joint property

Bankruptcy & selling life insurance

TREATMENT UPDATE

Antiviral medications

Follow-up testing

Opportunistic Infections

Clinical trials

STAYING HEALTHY

Nutrition; Vitamins; Exercise

Hygiene; Household; Pets; Lawn and Garden

Since the inception of Positive Education (PosED) we have thought T.A.S.K., HIV/AIDS 101, 104, update, and subject specific classes at schools, colleges, Professional Associations, churches, AIDS Service organizations, support groups, government agencies, and conferences throughout the state and nation. We have presented at 4 times at the AETC (AIDS Education Training Centers) state wide conferences, 6 times at the OASIS Positive Living Conference (They have provided our T.A.S.K. manual to participants at 5 conferences), The CDC National Prevention Conference, 2 times at The United States Conference on AIDS, NAPWA’s (The National People With AIDS) Strictly Positive Conference 5 times, and numerous other National and regional conferences. Our abstracts (author on one and co-author on another) were accepted and presented the XIV International Conference on AIDS in Barcelona Spain. Mr. Lennox-Smith is accepted for CME & CEU’s by most professional boards in the state of Florida.

In 2004, in contract with Florida Family AIDS Network (Ryan White Title 4 Grantee), Mr. Lennox-Smith personally taught 825 students in primarily Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) support groups, and court ordered drug rehabilitation groups. The gender demographic break-down for those classes where unknown = no response, were: Male = 40.3%, Female = 43.7%, Transgender = 1 %, Unknown = 15% The racial figures were: Caucasian = 38.3 %, Black/non-Hispanic = 26%, Hispanic = 10.1 %, Asian = 2.4%, Native American = .2 %, and unknown = 23 % The age demographics were: 15-19 = 3.2%, 20-29 = 25%, 30-39 = 20%, 40-49 = 20.4%, >50 = 12%

The preceding demographics accurately represent the overall demographics of our students. The court ordered classes were held at the Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida which is a mandatory residential facility (convicted drug offenders).

Our course material is general, and through the years we have served the broadest range of demographics.

The mission of Positive Education, Inc. is to provide quality information and education to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions, with the goal of giving hope, belaying fear and positively effecting self-esteem.

In the future we hope to expand into other chronic and autoimmune diseases; starting with Hepatitis C we will be adding courses on Diabetes, Lupus, Arthritis, MS, Heart disease, and others as we grow.

For a donation of $25.00 organizations or individuals can become “associates” of PosED. Our associates have the right to reproduce our copy written text material at no charge. They receive free updates (usually every 6 months) and support via our toll free number and web site (www.pos-ed.org) or e-mail at task@pos-ed.org. We provide “Train-the-trainer” classes. All donations are based on ability to pay; however, HIV infected individuals and their families are never charged for any services irregardless of finical status. All materials are available free of charge on our web site. Our toll free number is available to all consumers for information and referral.

The organization is small in structure, and currently requires only 3 staff positions. There descriptions follow:

Thomas Economos, LCSW, MPH, Pres.; Cameron MacDoogle, V.P., Dorece Norris, MD, ID;,Tres ; Brian Lennox-Smith , Sec; Jennifer Allen, MSW; Mary Adams, MSW; Carole Harvell, ARNP, MS.N; Lisle House, FL DOH Area 6, Ret; L. William Luria, MD.,PA.; Sue Stephens, LMHC;

Jay Wolfson, Dr .PH.,JD.; Barbara Clark-Alexander, MSW; Mary Burke, MA.; Kathy LaRoche; Teresa Kelly.; Aaron Smith, Ph.D.; Hilda H. Genco, M. Ed.;