The Los Angeles County Commission on HIV (COH) serves as the local planning council for the planning, allocation, coordination and delivery of HIV/AIDS services. The COH is composed of 51 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and represent a broad and diverse group of providers, consumers, and stakeholders. 33% of the membership are HIV+ individuals who are consumers of the federally funded Ryan White Program.

As an integrated planning body for HIV prevention and care services in Los Angeles County, through its five standing committees (Executive, Operations, Planning, Priorities & Allocations (PP&A), Public Policy, and Standards & Best Practices (SBP), the COH is responsible for:

• Setting care/treatment priorities/allocations,
• Developing a comprehensive care plan,
• Assessing the administrative mechanism of service delivery,
• Evaluating service system effectiveness,
• Service coordination,
• Annual needs assessments,
• Setting minimum service standards/outcomes,
• Defining ways to best meet the needs,
• Resolving service system grievances,
• Promoting the availability of services,
• Evaluating other streams of funding,
• Advising the Board on all County HIV funding,
• Policy development and advocacy work, and
• Advising the Board on other HIV-related matters.

In 2013 in Los Angeles County, approximately 60,050 people are living with HIV/AIDS; of those 9,500 are not aware of their status. This disease continues to be a serious health epidemic necessitating continued local, state and federal legislation, policies, planning and service delivery efforts.

The COH meets on every second Thursday of the month from 9am to approximate 1pm at St. Anne’s Maternity Home in Los Angeles (155 North Occidental Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026). In addition, there are committees, caucuses and task forces that allow for members to actively engage in projects and decision-making.