Planned Parenthood of Kansas & Mid-Missouri (PPKM) will establish an HIV prevention program for white men who have sex with men (MSM) called H.E.R.O. (Healthy Empowerment Radiating Outward), which is based on the MPowerment Project.

1. HIV Prevention with White MSM
1. Prevention with at-risk White MSM – MPowerment
Planned Parenthood of Kansas & Mid-Missouri (PPKM) will establish an HIV
prevention program for White MSM called H.E.R.O. (Healthy Empowerment
Radiating Outward), which is based on the MPowerment Project.
A. Group Level Intervention (MGroups)
PPKM will provide a minimum of 10 MGroups through the H.E.R.O. Project
targeting at least 120 White MSM, ages 15-60, by December 31, 2009. At least
50% of the MGroup participants will demonstrate ability to use at least one
barrier method for HIV prevention (condoms, dental dams, etc.) and ability to
negotiate safer sex as part of pre- and post-testing and role-playing during
sessions.
PPKM staff along with Core Group volunteers will conduct two MGroup sessions
per month, called the H.E.R.O. Academy, at the PPKM Patty Brous Health
Center, located in the Midtown area of Kansas City, MO. In the beginning of the
program, PPKM staff will facilitate the Academy alone and then after Core Group
members are trained in how to conduct the Academy, Core Group members will
co-facilitate Academy sessions with PPKM staff.
The first part of each Academy session will cover the basic information MSM
need to know to prevent HIV transmission and will be covered in a series of six
sessions that repeat through the year. Information covered in these sessions will
include proper condom usage with opportunities to practice on condom
demonstrators, role plays on how to negotiate safer sex practices with a partner,
HIV and STI transmission and prevention education, training on how to talk with
friends about HIV prevention and testing, and other information needed to
prevent HIV as MSM. As MSM complete the six session basic series they will be
encouraged to join the Core Group and become more involved with the H.E.R.O.
Project, and to continue attending Academy sessions for the second part of each
session.
The second part of each Academy session will focus on further exploration of
sexual health topics such as how to develop healthy relationships, body and
sexual hygiene, body image and self esteem, sexuality through the lifespan, and
developing a stronger, healthier community. Guest speakers and peer-led
discussions will be encouraged and H.E.R.O. group members will be encouraged
to give back to the community through volunteering both for the project as well as
for other efforts in the community.
This structure allows for the drop-in center element of the original MPowerment
Project – participants who have learned the basics can still come to the second

2. part of each Academy session without having to go over the basic information
over and over, and still have the opportunity to learn more about sexual health
and community involvement while socializing with new members.
The Core Group will meet once a month to work with PPKM staff on the H.E.R.O.
Project. Core Group members will assist PPKM staff with planning and facilitating
H.E.R.O. Academy sessions, conducting outreach, designing advertising and
other media for the project, and planning community-wide events sponsored by
the H.E.R.O. Project. Core Group members and other H.E.R.O. volunteers will
be trained on PPKM volunteer principles as well as principles specific to the
project. Core group members will be recruited from Academy participants,
outreach activities, events, and through advertising for the project.
Recruitment of members for both H.E.R.O. Academy sessions and the Core
Group will happen through bar outreach, H.E.R.O. community-wide events,
online outreach primarily conducted through social networking websites (such as
Facebook), advertising of the project in print publications and HC/PI campaigns,
and through word of mouth. To encourage retention of group members,
participants will be added to an email/call reminder list and notified of upcoming
Academy sessions and events.
B. Outreach
PPKM will provide up to 15 MPowerment outreach interventions to a minimum of
200 White MSM, ages 15-29, by December 31, 2009. While conducting outreach
information will be gathered about the community including HIV/STD risk
behaviors and influencing factors and determining other locations for outreach.
Once a month PPKM staff will conduct outreach in local gay bars frequented by
White MSM. As Core Group members are trained in bar outreach, Core
Members and PPKM staff will conduct bar outreach in teams. While handing out
safer sex kits, condoms, fliers, brochures, and other materials, H.E.R.O.
volunteers will speak with members of the community one-on-one or in small
groups, encouraging community members to get HIV testing and to participate in
the H.E.R.O. Academy and other activities.
At the beginning of the project, PPKM staff will conduct a community assessment
to determine where White MSM congregate and what the major subgroups of
White MSM are in the community. PPKM staff will meet with bar owners at the
beginning of the project to establish an understanding of what outreach will entail
and to make sure bar owners agree to allow H.E.R.O. volunteers to do outreach
in their businesses.
In addition to bar outreach, outreach and tabling will occur at events frequented
by the MSM community including Kansas City Gay Pride, Out in Westport, AIDS
Walk Kansas City, and other appropriate events.

3. C. Health Communication/Public Information
PPKM will conduct 10 Health Communication/Public Information campaigns
targeting 100 White MSM, ages 15-60, by December 31, 2009.
PPKM staff and Core Group Members will work with the PPKM Marketing
Department staff to develop a series of monthly posters encouraging members of
the MSM community “to be a H.E.R.O.” by helping to prevent HIV in their
community. Posters will provide information on HIV transmission, condom/barrier
use, HIV testing, and provide information on H.E.R.O. Academy and other
upcoming activities.
Locations for posters will include gay bars, gay-supportive agencies, bookstores,
coffee shops, and other appropriate venues. The design of the posters will be
tied into safe sex kit inserts and advertising in publications and on websites,
including social marketing websites.
Promotion of the H.E.R.O. Project will rely largely on Core Group members
becoming involved in spreading the word about the project during both formal
and informal outreach. Core Group members will serve as peer health advocates
to the MSM community and will receive training on topics including principles of
bar outreach and how to talk informally with friends about HIV and other STIs.
Peer Health training will be provided as part of the monthly Core Group
meetings.
PPKM staff will develop a logo design for the H.E.R.O. Project that can be used
on all promotional materials such as posters, t-shirts and buttons. Peer Health
Advocates (Core Groups members) and project staff will wear H.E.R.O. gear
during all outreach events to help the community identity the outreach activity
with the H.E.R.O. Project.
In addition to print material designed specifically for the H.E.R.O. Project, PPKM
will purchase and provide brochures promoting HIV prevention for MSM.
All advertising and promotional material for the project will be submitted for
approval through the grantee’s office and follow all specifications indicated in the
HE/RR RFP.
D. Other – Community-wide Events
PPKM will conduct 2 community-wide events promoting empowerment and risk-
reduction as community values, targeting a minimum of 100 White MSM, ages
15-29, by December 31, 2009. PPKM will provide 2 ongoing interventions using
artistic media to promote prevention messages to White MSM, ages 15-29,
seeking to reach a minimum of 100 White MSM by December 31, 2009.
PPKM staff and H.E.R.O. Core Group members will plan and implement two
community-wide events to promote empowerment and risk-reduction as

4. community values. The actual events including themes and event activities will
be determined by consensus of the Core Group members to ensure Core Group
members feel a sense of ownership for the events and the H.E.R.O. Project.
PPKM staff and H.E.R.O. Core Group members will recruit promoters and
providers for each event. Ideas for potential events include: beginning of summer
community picnic, AIDS Walk celebration party, specific H.E.R.O. sponsored
events within KC Gay Pride, Halloween party, and/or a Red Party to
commemorate World AIDS Day.
At the community-wide events condoms, safe sex kits, lube, and other prevention
materials will be distributed to the event participants. Outreach counseling and
testing will be offered as appropriate in addition to referrals for other community
services. PPKM will seek to collaborate with other community agencies in
community-wide events as appropriate.
PPKM staff will maintain at least one profile on a social marketing website such
as Facebook for the H.E.R.O. Project as an ongoing artistic medium intervention.
This webpage will allow MSM to find information about the H.E.R.O. Project
online and be directed to H.E.R.O. Academy, other H.E.R.O. events, and HIV
testing. The monthly H.E.R.O. posters will serve as a second ongoing artistic
medium intervention.
2. Counseling, Testing and Referral
PPKM will provide HIV/STD risk-reduction counseling and testing to high-risk
White MSM, ages 15-60, targeting a minimum of 80 by December 31, 2009.
Counseling, Testing and Referral will be provided on a walk-in basis at the PPKM
Patty Brous Health Center by trained PPKM staff. PPKM staff will establish
specific days and hours for the walk-in clinic and advertise the walk-in clinics to
the MSM community through posters, websites, and safe sex kit inserts.
PPKM offers HIV and STI testing as part of established clinical practice and has
policies and procedures currently in effect for HIV and STI testing. PPKM will
work to incorporate walk-in free HIV testing into the services currently provided.
As part of every counseling and testing session clients will be offered an HIV test,
pre-test counseling on current HIV/STI risk and future prevention, post-test
counseling, and safer sex materials. When clients test positive a confirmatory
blood test will be drawn by PPKM clinical staff and appropriate referrals will be
given to the client.
Counseling and testing counselors will attend training for CTR through the State
of Missouri and will be certified before providing counseling and testing.

5. 3. Prevention with HIV-positive White MSM –
Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services (CRCS)
PPKM will provide culturally and linguistically-appropriate client-centered
comprehensive risk counseling and services to a minimum of 15 unduplicated
HIV-positive MSM, ages 15-60, by December 31, 2009. At least 60% of
participants will achieve a minimum of 1 client-identified goal, such as increased
disclosure, protected oral sex, protected sexual intercourse, or decrease in the
number of sex partners at three-month follow up.
PPKM staff will engage, recruit and encourage individuals from the White MSM
community to enroll in CRCS as a means to assist them in assessing their risks
and developing a long-term risk-reduction plan that includes linkages to health
care services and support to maintain safer behaviors.
Recruitment will occur in a variety of ways. CRCS will be included as part of
H.E.R.O. Project advertising and promotion in posters, safe sex kit inserts,
website information, and word of mouth discussions. During Counseling and
Testing sessions, clients who test positive will be referred to CRCS. PPKM staff
will develop flyers specific to CRCS and work with other community agencies,
especially HIV Service Organizations, including other organizations that provide
HIV testing, to post flyers and provide referrals to HIV-positive White MSM.
PPKM staff will attend the Kansas City city-wide HIV Case Managers meetings at
the Kansas City, MO Health Department at least once a quarter to promote
CRCS to HIV case managers and linkage to care case managers. PPKM staff
will promote CRCS at monthly Planning Council meetings to other HIV
prevention professionals and community members. PPKM staff will seek
opportunities to attend HIV support groups to directly promote enrollment in
CRCS to HIV-positive White MSM.
The CRCS program will include a formal enrollment process comprised of a
comprehensive assessment to determine each client’s risky behaviors as well as
determine clients’ engagement in other services available for HIV-positive people
such as health care and case management. From this assessment, PPKM staff
will work with each client to develop an individualized risk-reduction plan with
measurable goals and objectives based on the SMART model (Specific,
Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely). PPKM staff and each individual
client will determine the frequency of CRCS sessions with staff meeting with
active clients at least once a month. During CRCS sessions PPKM staff and the
client will review the risk-reduction plan, discuss successes and barriers to
success, and work on any education the client needs to further reduce risk. Each
active client will be reassessed every 3 months while enrolled in CRCS.
When appropriate, clients will be discharged from CRCS either upon successful
completion of goals or when a client no longer desires to engage in the program.
In cases where clients are working toward success implementation of their risk-

6. reduction plan, PPKM staff will work with the client to plan their discharge from
CRCS and provide follow-up as deemed appropriate.
4. Incentive Program – The “Go Red” Card
To encourage member participation and retention in the interventions of the
grant, PPKM proposes an incentive program called “Go Red.” PPKM staff and
Core Group members of the H.E.R.O. Project will develop a rewards system with
local businesses to encourage community members to participate in the
programs offered under this grant. The “Go Red” card acts as a
discount/advantage card for members who receive a card. Local businesses and
organizations will be encouraged to participate in the program by offering
discounts and other rewards to card carriers who present their “Go Red” card.
For instance, a restaurant may offer card carriers the opportunity to receive one
meal half price when purchasing a regular priced meal. Another example would
be a local bar offering free cover charge to card carriers. PPKM staff and
H.E.R.O. volunteers will approach various businesses and organizations in the
Kansas City metro area to establish an attractive rewards system. Businesses
such as bars, coffee shops, restaurants, book stores, video stores, hair salons,
massage therapy businesses, and other services will be approached with the
concept that involvement in this program is a great way for businesses to
become active in the fight against HIV, while at the same time encouraging
members of the community to frequent their businesses more often.
Eligibility criteria to receive the “Go Red” card will be more specifically
determined by PPKM staff and Core Group members once the Core Group is
established. Eligibility criteria to receive a card will focus on four areas for HIV-
negative MSM: attending the 6 basic sessions of the H.E.R.O. Academy;
showing proof of regular HIV testing; referring a certain number of friends to the
H.E.R.O. Project, CRCS and/or HIV testing; and completing a certain number of
volunteer hours either within the H.E.R.O. Project or with another community
initiative. To ensure confidentiality and protection of health information, proof of
HIV testing will not require showing the results of the HIV test – instead the
participant will simply have a form signed by an HIV testing counselor or other
medical staff indicating the participant did receive a test. PPKM staff alone will
determine each participant’s eligibility to ensure protection of each participant’s
personal information.
Criteria for self-identified HIV-positive MSM will be similar: attending either the 6
basic sessions of the H.E.R.O. Academy or participating in CRCS; showing proof
of regularly meeting with their medical provider for HIV care; referring a certain
number of friends to the H.E.R.O. Project, CRCS, and/or HIV testing; and
completing a certain number of volunteer hours either within the H.E.R.O. Project
or with another community initiative. Proof of regularly meeting with a medical
doctor for HIV care will not require specific medical information to be shared, but
will simply require the doctor to sign off on a form indicating the participant
attended appointments.

7. This incentive program will require very low cost to maintain and will benefit the
community in a variety of ways. For the individual member of the community, the
card offers a great incentive to help prevent HIV and give back to the community
while giving the participant advantages and discounts in the community. For the
businesses participating in the program the reward lies in knowing that the
business is participating in a program that allows them to be involved in the fight
against HIV while drawing more people into their business. For community
agencies there is the potential reward of receiving more volunteers, and with
more volunteers, these agencies can help to build a stronger community.
Each card will be issued with a one year lifespan. When the expiration date is
close, the card holder will need re-qualify for the card by meeting the eligibility
criteria again. Participants will not necessarily need to attend the basic H.E.R.O.
sessions again or reengage in CRCS, but instead will be given the opportunity to
take a refresher course to re-qualify for the “Go Red” card.
5. Additional Requirements
PPKM staff will attend meetings and subcommittees of the Kansas City Grant
Area Comprehensive HIV Prevention and Care Planning Council, in particular the
HIV Prevention Committee. PPKM will participate in agency collaborations on
such events as World AIDS Day, AIDS Walk Kansas City, and Gay Pride. PPKM
will assist in fulfilling the objectives and goals of the KC regional and/or statewide
needs assessment process such as facilitating focus groups, conducting key
interviews with high-risk populations, and recruiting participants for the needs
assessment.
PPKM will promote the use of local STD and HIV antibody testing sites and
provide information concerning site locations and how to schedule appointments
at these sites. PPKM will promote the use of the AIDS hotline. PPKM will submit
all materials and brochures produced by the agency, utilized, and/or purchased
with this grant for prior approval.
PPKM agrees to participate in one unannounced site visit from the grantor.
PPKM agrees to meet all Kansas City City requirements for contracts. PPKM will
make sure that the intervention logs are filled out for the Program Evaluation
Monitoring System and are provided to the KCMO Health Department for entry
into the state system.
PPKM staff will participate in the Kansas City Region wide social marketing
campaign to promote HIV/AIDS prevention for the selected target population.
PPKM will participate in the community planning group process by attending and
participating in quarterly and special meetings in Jefferson City, MO.
6. Staff Designated for the Grant

8. The PPKM staff member designated for this grant, Travis Barnhart, has 9 years
of experience working with the MSM population in various communities providing
HIV prevention to high-risk HIV-negative MSM, counseling and testing to high-
risk populations, and Prevention Case Management (formerly, CRCS was called
Prevention Case Management) to HIV-positive individuals. Mr. Barnhart is a
member of the White MSM population and has lived in the Kansas City metro
area for 4 1/2 years, during which time he has been an active member of the gay
community and has developed many connections that will be helpful in
implementing the interventions of this grant. Mr. Barnhart’s resume is attached,
and the following narrative describes more specifically his expertise and ability to
coordinate and implement the objectives of this grant.
Mr. Barnhart began working in HIV services in 1999 at the Topeka AIDS Project
in Topeka, KS, first as a volunteer and then as a paid Health Educator. Given the
task of providing HIV prevention to young MSM, Mr. Barnhart based the
intervention he led at the Topeka AIDS Project on the principles of the
MPowerment Project. While employed at the Topeka AIDS Project Mr. Barnhart
trained to provide outreach counseling and testing when OraSure testing became
available in the early 2000’s and helped develop the protocols and policies used
by the Topeka AIDS Project for HIV counseling and testing. Mr. Barnhart
developed a methodology and regular schedule for formal outreach into the MSM
community based around monthly bar outreach and tabling at gay community
events.
After graduating from Washburn University in Topeka, KS with a Bachelor's in
Social Work, Mr. Barnhart moved to Seattle, WA briefly and then to the Kansas
City, MO metro area. During the 4 1/2 years Mr. Barnhart has been in the Kansas
City, MO metro area, he has worked in HIV services, sexuality education and
child welfare services in various capacities. From January 2005 to January 2007,
Mr. Barnhart worked for the Kansas City Free Health Clinic in three different
positions - Prevention Case Manager (CRCS), Youth HIV Case Manager, and
Internet HIV Prevention Specialist. While employed with the KC Free Health
Clinic Mr. Barnhart received training in the State of Missouri to provide outreach
counseling and testing services, including training to provide HIV-positive results.
Mr. Barnhart’s certification in this training is current and Mr. Barnhart has
continued to volunteer as a testing counselor with the KC Free Health Clinic on
occasion.
While employed at the KC Free Health Clinic Mr. Barnhart regularly staffed walk-
in HIV counseling and testing clinics providing OraQuick and OraSure tests and
provided counseling and referral for regular blood-drawn HIV testing clients. Mr.
Barnhart helped to develop the concept of the youth-oriented HIV testing clinic
called The C.I.T.Y. (Counseling, Information, and Testing for Youth), including
program design, the name of the intervention, and advertising. Mr. Barnhart

9. designed and implemented a syphilis prevention internet outreach program while
employed at the KC Free Health Clinic, an intervention known as "kcfreeguy,"
that encouraged MSM to ask questions online about STIs including HIV and
syphilis and helped to draw MSM into the clinic for testing.
In March of 2008 Mr. Barnhart joined the staff of PPKM as an Education and
Outreach Coordinator. In this position, Mr. Barnhart has worked diligently to
collaborate with other local agencies to provide HIV prevention services as part
of PPKM's mission to ensure that every individual has the knowledge, opportunity
and freedom to make informed private decisions about reproductive and sexual
health. Mr. Barnhart is currently an Associate Member of the KC Transitional
Grant Area Comprehensive HIV Prevention and Care Planning Council's HIV
Prevention Committee. Mr. Barnhart has collaborated with the KC Free Health
Clinic during this time as a co-facilitator of Gay State University, an intervention
providing HIV prevention to White MSM based on the MPowerment Project. In
this capacity Mr. Barnhart developed the concept of Gay State University as a
transition from the programming offered by KC Free for the White MSM
population and designed the structure and content of many of the Gay State
University sessions, which are based on the concepts of MGroups.
Mr. Barnhart has also encouraged further outreach into the MSM community by
PPKM by pursuing opportunities to table at gay community events. PPKM tabled
at AIDS Walk Kansas City in April 2008, KC Gay Pride in June 2008, and at Out
in Westport in October 2008. Mr. Barnhart has worked with the KC Free Health
Clinic staff to provide outreach into the MSM community by collaborating on bar
outreach efforts and attending KC Gay Pride planning meetings. In December
2008 Mr. Barnhart worked on a collaboration with the Kansas City, MO Health
Department, Black Health Care Coalition, and UMKC’s Mind, Body, Spirit
Connection Office to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in the community through the
placement of “Stop the Spread of AIDS” condom boards throughout the
community on World AIDS Day. Mr. Barnhart also coordinated with UMKC’s
Queer Alliance student group and the Good Samaritan Project to provide
education, information, and referrals for HIV testing on campus during World
AIDS Day.