From 2000-2005, a participatory action research (PAR) process was initiated to explore strategies for the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV that could be implemented in selected service planning (SPAs) areas of Los Angeles County, California. The Los Angeles County (LAC) Department of Health Services (DHS), Office of AIDS Programs & Policy (OAPP) took the lead for the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV among women in LA in a state wide collaborative effort involving six counties. Realizing that the consultation process had to involve many stakeholders, including representatives of several inter-governmental departments, community organizations, and women affected by HIV, a PAR approach was seen as appropriate. I was hired as a practicing anthropologist because of my prior experience as an HIV/AIDS researcher and service provider in the region to implement the project. The majority of the funding originated from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the California State Office of AIDS. Multi-stakeholder advisory groups were formed, and community partners were selected as local project liaisons. Their first main task was to organize women as part of a multi-level intervention that involved training for promotoras (peer health educators), outreach, case management, and a social marketing campaign.

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