The Health and Disability Working Group (HDWG)

The Health and Disability Working Group (HDWG) promotes strategies that improve the delivery of medical, behavioral, and support services to adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses, children with special health needs and people living with HIV/AIDS. Our primary focus is on low income, minority and disenfranchised populations. HDWG is a research, technical assistance and training program at the Boston University School of Public Health.

What's New at HDWG

Upcoming presentations on HIV oral health, peer support programs, child health care, and more

Participants at upcoming conferences will have the opportunity to attend several presentations showcasing HDWG projects:

  • The Evaluation Center for HIV and Oral Health (ECHO) team will participate in workshops and poster presentations at the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Grantees Meeting in August and the APHA Annual Meeting in October.  These presentations will focus on various models and methods to increase access to oral health care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
    More about upcoming ECHO workshops

  • Team members from the PEER Center, which promotes the use of peer programs to improve care for people living with HIV/AIDS, will convene an institute and conduct a workshop at the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Grantees Meeting in August as well as a seminar at the US Conference on AIDS in September. These presentations will focus on aspects of implementing effective peer support programs.
    More about upcoming PEER Center presentations

  • At the 2008 SAMHSA/CMS Invitational Conference on Medicaid and Mental Health Services/Substance Abuse Treatment on September 25, Carol Tobias, Principal Investigator, the Catalyst Center, will co-present the Family Opportunity Act's Medicaid buy-in option and its applicability to children with severe emotional disturbances and other mental health issues.  Presenting with Carol are Sara Gelser, Representative, District 16, Oregon House of Representatives, and Donene Feist, Executive Director, Family Voices Chapter of North Dakota.  For more information, contact mcomeau@bu.edu