January 15, 2019: Positive Women’s Network – USA (PWN-USA) is proud to launch applications for the third year of our Policy Fellowship for Women and People of Trans Experience Living with HIV. The goal of the 9-month Fellowship is to increase participants’ ability to engage effectively in federal policy and advocacy. In the current political environment marred by threats to sexual and reproductive rights, basic health care, the social safety net, and civil and human rights, it is critical that our community is equipped with a wide array of tools to support vibrant, visionary, and strategic advocacy on behalf of their communities.
Join us for a webinar on what it means to be a Policy Fellow and tips for a successful application Monday, Jan. 28, at 3pm EST/2pm CST/1pm MST/12pm PST. Register here.
In recognition that spaces of influence within the federal policy environment have been largely inaccessible to women living with HIV, the fellowship curriculum will be rooted within a social justice framework and will apply an explicit gender justice and racial justice lens to the policy and advocacy process as a vehicle for transformative social and political change.
“Becoming a PWN policy fellow was an inspiring and phenomenal experience. It’s an experience every woman should embark upon, because you learn so much about policy on many levels that will assist you in knowing your rights and the rights of others,” said Stacy Jennings, a 2017 PWN-USA policy fellow. Meet the 2018 Policy Fellows here!
Learn more and apply here!
Deadline to apply is March 1.
WHAT CONTENT WILL THE FELLOWSHIP COVER?
Over the course of the fellowship, participants will:
- Expand their understanding of the structure of government and how federal policy is developed, implemented and funded;
- learn key frameworks for advocacy interventions;
- learn to analyze policy;
- deepen their understanding of strategies to effect policy change, including grassroots advocacy, effective coalition building,
- and learn to build and maintain relationships with policymakers and stakeholders who have influence over the policy-making process.
HOW IS THE FELLOWSHIP STRUCTURED?
The Fellowship period is April 2019 – December 2019; during this time frame, Fellows will participate in a series of interactive web-based and in-person skills-building sessions delivered by PWN staff and other policy experts. Fellows will also collaborate on issue-based teams and will receive coaching from seasoned advocates in the field. Reading assignments and homework will be assigned between sessions.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
- 12 web-based policy skills-building training sessions and a policy practicum (April 2019-December 2019; see tentative schedule below)
- 1 in-person training (tentatively scheduled for September 2019, location TBD)
- Conference calls with policy coaches
- 1 web-based coaching session (November 2019)
- Participation in PWN-USA skills building webinars – schedule below to be confirmed
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
(participation in ALL aspects of the program is required for successful completion)- Web Session 1 – Friday, April 05, 2019
- Fellowship Orientation
- Web Session 2 – Friday, April 19, 2019
- Policy and Government 101
- Web Session 3 – Friday, May 03, 2019
- Policy and Government 102
- Web Session 4 – Friday, May 17, 2019
- Federal Budget Advocacy
- Web Session 5 – Friday, May 31, 2019
- Administrative Advocacy & Federal Agencies
- Web Session 6 – Friday, June 14, 2019
- Midpoint REVIEW Session
- Web Session 7 – Friday, June 28, 2019
- In-District Organizing-Meeting with Legislators
- Web Session 8 – Friday, July 12, 2019
- Key Frameworks for Conducting Advocacy for WLHIV Part I – Reproductive and Racial Justice
- Web Session 9 – Friday, July 26, 2019
- Key Frameworks for Conducting Advocacy for WLHIV Part II – Gender and Economic Justice
- Web Session 10 – Friday, August 9, 2019
- Organizing to Build Political Power – Grassroots Policy Advocacy
- Web Session 11 – Friday, August 23, 2019
- Policy Research & Analysis
- In-Person Training – September 2019
- Web Session 12 – Friday, September 20, 2019
- Issue Based Training – Electoral Organizing – “Get out the HIV Vote!”
- YEAR END REVIEW Session – Friday, October 11, 2019
- Practicum Period – October – December 2019
WHAT DO FELLOWS GET FOR PARTICIPATING?
Fellows will have coaching and mentoring to support their policy advocacy goals, opportunities to attend policy meetings (in person and via conference call), opportunities to engage with national advocacy coalitions, and access to policy experts. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to obtain and apply marketable writing, research and organizing skills to support their professional development. Fellows who graduate successfully will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
ELIGIBILITY
The fellowship is open to all women living with HIV, including women of trans experience. We especially encourage applications from those who are: young, Black, Latinx, immigrant, LGB, trans and gender nonconforming, low-income, and/or reside in the South. All applicants should possess a strong desire to effect meaningful change in the lives of other women living with HIV to apply.
