The Boston Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council is an independent, volunteer-based, federally-mandated planning body appointed by the Mayor of Boston. 

Planning Council members are a diverse group of people from all over Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire! We are community members, nurses, social workers, public health workers, friends and family. We are a close group of volunteers that care deeply about this work!

Anyone living in the ten county region in the Part A Boston EMA who has a strong commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV can join the Planning Council. You don't need a health policy background or expertise to join the Planning Council.

The Planning Council integrally works with the Boston Public Health Commission to select and prioritize HIV service categories and allocate Ryan White Part A HIV funding in our region.

We have several mandated responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive plan for the organization and delivery of HIV-related health services

• Establish service priorities for the categorical allocation of Part A funds

• Assess the efficiency of the administrative mechanism in rapidly allocating funds

• Assess the effectiveness of services

• Establish methods for obtaining input on community needs and priorities. This may include public meetings, conducting focus groups, and convening ad-hoc panels.

• Host and participate in community related events

We are currently in the midst of our 2024-2025 Council year. We are always recruiting new members for the next Council Term! We typically appoint new members in June/July and the Council programming year starts in September! Check out our “Join Us” section to learn more and find our application.