Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases

Our Vision

A society that values, respects and embraces diversity.

Our Mission

To work in partnership with targeted communities to promote health and well being that enhances the capacity of individuals to achieve quality of life and reach their full potential.

Our target communities include:

• people living with HIV and/or viral hepatitis; (PLHIV / PLVH)
• gay men and other men who have sex with men; (Gay Men and MSM)
• people who inject drugs; (PWID)
• culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities adversely affected by, or at increased risk of, HIV and viral hepatitis;
• other people at risk of HIV and/or viral hepatitis; and
• lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities.

Guiding principles

1. Health and wellbeing doesn’t just include physical health, and includes mental and social health needs;
2. TasCAHRD aims to promote inclusive environments where people are able to reach their full potential;
3. TasCAHRD utilises a health promotion framework and harm reduction approach; and
4. TasCAHRD commits to ongoing continuous quality improvement.

Our Strategic Goals

1. Community Engagement and Capacity Building

TasCAHRD engages with the community on a variety of levels. This includes conducting projects in partnership with specific stakeholders as well as broader awareness-raising activities targeting the whole Tasmanian community. We work to support Tasmanian’s to develop greater capacity to respond to their own needs and make informed choices.

2. Responsiveness to Emerging Needs and Organisational Growth

TasCAHRD recognises that the HIV, sexual health, hepatitis and LGBTI health sectors are rapidly evolving sectors requiring organisational flexibility, resilience and the application of innovative responses to emerging needs

3. Shared Responsibilities and Collaborations

TasCAHRD recognises that working in partnership with the relevant community, individuals and other organisations is important for effective outcomes.

4. Client and Community Advocacy

The Ottawa Charter of Health Promotion highlights the importance of reducing barriers and creating enabling environments for target communities. As well as individual advocacy, systemic advocacy continue to be an important role for TasCAHRD.

5. Governance and Quality Service Delivery

TasCAHRD has strong foundations and established governance structures and is committed to continuous quality improvement. TasCAHRD will endeavour to build on this foundation to maximise its capacity to respond to issues affecting its target communities.