About HANS

What is HANS?

HANS is a coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals who meet monthly to discuss and plan HIV/AIDS activities which impact our community. If you or your agency are interested in learning more about HANS or joining our coalition, please contact us.

HANS has been serving our community since 1992. Read more history...

HANS is a part of a larger, regional planning body known as the Regional HIV/AIDS Council (RHAC). RHAC consists of county health department directors and community representatives from each county in Florida's Area 8, which includes Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Henry, Glades, Lee, and Sarasota Counties. RHAC is the governing body for Ryan White Title II funding for southwest Florida.

Our Mission

To reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the community through education and awareness, and to improve the quality of life for all persons affected.

Our Vision

To recognize HANS for its diversified and collaborative membership as the premier source of public awareness for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, training, and testing in Sarasota County.

Our Goals

To provide a strong and effective network in Sarasota County of community agencies, organizations, people living with HIV/AIDS, and other interested parties
To prevent HIV infections in Sarasota County
To improve the quality of life for all persons affected by HIV disease in Sarasota County
To prevent the progression of HIV disease to AIDS in Sarasota County
To advocate for a responsive community with regard to HIV disease in Sarasota County
To provide a Speaker’s Bureau to educate our community about the disease

Members

The backbone of HANS is formed by a diverse group of Members dedicated to addressing issues related to HIV/AIDS in Sarasota. HANS members include:

Agencies providing HIV/AIDS prevention and care
HIV educators
School, corrections, & government representatives
Public health/healthcare professionals, epidemiologists, & behavioral scientists

People living with HIV/AIDS and other community representatives
Interested in becoming a member? Click here.

Publications

HANS and its affiliate Members produce various publications to communicate the needs of the HIV/AIDS community in Sarasota as well as strategic goals and plans for addressing those needs.