Hyacinth’s public policy team is our voice on HIV/AIDS and related public health issues in Trenton and Washington, DC. In fact, we’re the only NJ-based HIV/AIDS service provider with its own public policy group. We also have something pretty special: Leadership Hyacinth, a program that trains client advocates to amplify our key messages.

A Grassroots “Chorus”

With Leadership Hyacinth training, client advocates learn powerful storytelling skills so they can effectively share their own experiences and present science-based evidence to local, state and federal lawmakers. Whether by letters, emails, phone calls or meetings, client advocates personalize policy issues so legislators never lose sight of the lives their laws, regulations and rules affect.

Client advocates, together with Hyacinth’s public policy specialists, take on perennial issues, such as access to care, privacy, addiction services and adequate program funding. New issues emerge, too, such as COVID-19 response policies that are equitable for the HIV/AIDS community, harm reduction services and equal access to medications, medical care and long-term mental health care.

Today, there are more than 100 Leadership Hyacinth-trained client advocates throughout New Jersey. They’re the “unsung heroes” behind Hyacinth’s stellar reputation in HIV/AIDS advocacy and education.