Wisconsin Statewide Action Planning Group (SAPG)
The Wisconsin Statewide Action Planning Group (SAPG) is the state’s community planning group for integrated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STI), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention and care services in Wisconsin.
What is SAPG?
The goal of SAPG is to involve community partners and members of communities impacted by HIV in the planning process to provide high quality and effective prevention and care services for individuals and communities living with and at risk for HIV, STIs, and HCV.
The Wisconsin SAPG is a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Public Health and the Wisconsin HIV Outreach Project at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
SAPG strives for meaningful involvement of people living with HIV and from communities most impacted by HIV in all aspects of its work.
What does SAPG do?
SAPG:
- Promotes coordination and collaboration between HIV prevention and care services.
- Involves members of diverse populations which reflect Wisconsin’s current epidemic, as it relates to geography, sexual orientation, age, gender, race and ethnicity, lived experience, and HIV status.
- Ensures that the process is a model of excellence and is consistent with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) requirements (PDF).
- Creates a meaningful planning process for individuals, communities, service providers, and the state HIV Program.
- Gives equitable attention and discussion to the issues of HIV prevention and the care and treatment of people living with HIV.
- Listens to and shares information with communities.
- Assesses and evaluates priority needs for HIV prevention and care.
- Develops and updates the Wisconsin Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Plan.
- Determines resources and interventions that effectively target priority populations.
Interested in being a part of SAPG?
Each year, member recruitment begins in October and applications are accepted through December, with new members chosen in January. The application will be available on this webpage during the recruitment period. Applications are processed through the University of Wisconsin – Madison Continuing Studies HIV Outreach Project.
SAPG seeks volunteers who represent the diversity of those impacted by HIV in Wisconsin and who have the experience and expertise necessary to achieve the mission of the group: to plan for a continuum of high quality and effective HIV prevention and care services to meet the current and future needs of individuals and communities with or at risk for HIV.
SAPG is made up of representatives selected through a competitive application process, serving multi-year appointments.
Currents members are:
- Adults living with or vulnerable to exposure to HIV in Wisconsin.
- Representatives of HIV prevention and care service organizations and community-based organizations.
- Representatives of local public health agencies working in HIV, STI, or harm reduction areas.
- Members of communities from all five local public health regions of the state most impacted by HIV, STIs, and HCV.
SAPG members must be:
- At least 18 years old and live in Wisconsin.
- Interested in HIV community-based planning.
- Able to attend five meetings per year in-person.
- Willing to actively participate in the activities of the group.
- Willing to communicate regularly with the public about group activities.
- Willing to uphold the core values of the SAPG mission.
SAPG information and materials
- Wednesday, February 19 (Orientation): Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St, Madison, WI, 53706
- Thursday, February 20: Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706
- Thursday, April 24: To be decided
- Thursday, June 26: To be decided
- Thursday, September 25: To be decided
- Thursday, November 20: UW Milwaukee School of Continuing Education, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave #6000, Milwaukee, WI 53203
State health department chair
The state health department chair provides overall guidance to SAPG regarding the Division of Public Health’s policy and the community planning process. The state health department chair is the manager of the Bloodborne and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section (BSTI). The state health department chair conducts SAPG meetings together with the community co-chairs.
Community co-chair
The community co-chair assists in agenda planning, conducts SAPG meetings together with the state health department chair, and is elected by SAPG members.
The 2025 SAPG community co-chair is Chris Lee.
Community co-chair elect
The community co-chair elect is elected by SAPG members and mentored by the community co-chair for one year prior to assuming the responsibilities of the community co-chair. This position requires a two-year commitment. The community co-chair elect assists in agenda planning and conducts SAPG meetings together with the state health department chair.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is made up of the state health department chair and the community co-chairs. The Executive Committee sets meeting agendas, recommends action items, and makes necessary decisions on behalf of the group.
Membership Committee
Together with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services HIV and STI Program staff, the Membership Committee establishes and maintains an open member recruitment, application, and selection process consistent with federal and state guidance. The committee submits recommendations to the group for new members, as well as for policies and procedures regarding membership attendance, removal procedures, and criteria for membership. The committee also develops and maintains an orientation process for new members.
Policy and Advocacy Committee
The Policy and Advocacy Committee reviews existing laws and policies and provides recommendations for changes based on input from committee members and other partners. The committee advocates for people living with or impacted by HIV, STIs, and HCV through in-person appearances, letter and/or email-writing campaigns, awareness building events, and other means to recommend policy positions that address HIV-related discrimination and stigma.
Visibility Committee
The Visibility Committee educates community members through outreach (including social media), increases community participation, and represents community needs throughout the HIV Planning Group process. The committee also identifies and advocates for culturally responsive prevention and care.
Disclaimer about advisory council content
This content reflects the views and opinions of the advisory council. It may not reflect the official policy or position of DHS.