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Teen AIDS Task Force

The Teen AIDS Task Force program (TATF) is a student-driven, peer education initiative that equips students with the information and skills needed to understand and prevent HIV/AIDS while promoting holistic youth development and sexual health. The program's success is based on the collaborative relationship that ACR has established with school administrators and faculty, who promote the program as a supplement to the existing HIV/AIDS health education curriculum.

TATF began in 1992 in one school. A year later, ACR received $30,000 from the Magic Johnson Foundation and Miller Brewing Company to expand the effective and overwhelmingly accepted program. Now in 36 schools, ACR has been encouraged by parents and school districts to expand TATF, to reach younger students, and develop programs in non-school arenas targeting the emerging population of African American and Latino youth who have dropped out of school. ACR has expanded TATF chapters to non-school settings such as facilities serving troubled youth and at community based organizations like Boys & Girls clubs.

From September 2006 – February 5, 2007, TATF chapters educated 2,283 youth about HIV prevention. 591 were African American, 176 were Hispanic.

TATF Features:

Educational projects, such as providing classroom information tables, hosting assemblies, or attending workshops.
Outreach events, such as setting up health fair tables, hanging flyers and posters around school, or disseminating information to the community.
Community service events, such as food drives, personal care drives, or volunteering as a chapter at a local soup kitchen.
TATF Monthly Newsletter: TATF Etc.

TATF Events have included:

Hands Across The Globe - TATF Convention: A Cross-Cultural Approach To HIV Prevention with 250 students from 22 High Schools in attendance.
High School Lock-In Overnight Event - An evening of meeting other students, developing and participating in a variety of interactive learning activities.
Food Drives, Holiday Gift Drives, World AIDS Day Events.

TATF - Recipient of the New York State Department of Health AI Dr. David E. Rogers HIV Prevention Award

In the North Country…Youth in Action

May 6, 2008, Canton~The Teen AIDS Task Force in Canton isn’t based in a school as most chapters are, but out of the Canton United Methodist Church. Reverend James Brand has been its pastor for the past 10 years, and has been at the cutting edge of controversial social issues since day one. When he heard TATF had no place to meet, he helped set up a chapter at his church. Students still educate fellow students about staying free of HIV. In this photo, TATF members hung out in Mrs. LaLonde’s room at Canton Central High after school to train their peers about Sexually Transmitted Diseases. To attract students to their information session Corey and Kate (on far side of desk) offered $2 off an upcoming TATF sponsored dance. Corey and Kate are members of the Canton TATF. The chapter organized in February and now has 10 members. Here’s part of their “STD 101” presentation:

STD 101
2/3 of the estimated 12 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) diagnosed annually in the US are among those under 25 years of age!

STDs are:
    - Any disease that is spread through sexual contact including: oral, anal or vaginal sex or any sexual activity where body fluids are exchanged
    - Can be parasitic, bacterial or viral Risk Behaviors include:
    - Multiple sexual partners
    - Incorrect or inconsistent use of condoms
    - Already having one or more untreated STDs
    - Having HIV
    - Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
    - Sharing needles for any reason STD Prevention
    - ABSTINENCE is the only 100% effective prevention!
    - Monogomy – if you choose to have sex, have ONE partner and know that partner’s history.
    - Talk to your partner about STD’s and HIV – and talk BEFORE the moment occurs! Then, Keep talking!
    - Correct and consistent use of condoms and other barriers– remember it is not the act of sex that transmits HIV and STD’s – it’s the transfer of fluids! Latex condoms and barriers such as Dental Dams should be used during sexual intercourse AND during foreplay! And used EVERYTIME!
    - Regular STD and HIV screening and treatment – go together with your partner to be tested! Respect yourself, your partner, and each other!
    - Do not share needles for any reason.
    - Avoid alcohol and other drugs that can lead to risky behavior Back to top

2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Outreach

The Teen AIDS Task Force members and volunteers braved frigid temperatures Saturday March 10th, to show their support for AIDS Community Resources in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Utica. Read the full story...

Reflections on a young life lost

First, for the record I want to state how much I like my job, JUST LOVE IT! And I love the students I work close with. I work with wonderful people at AIDS Community Resources who have a lot of compassion for this pandemic of HIV/AIDS. Every other week at staff meetings we hear presentations from case managers about clients and our work with them. This past week I heard a tragic story about a 28-year-old young lady with 5 children who passed away with HIV/AIDS. She was infected when she was 14 years old. Read full story...