The current leader of the AIDS Services Center (ASC) has been in the role for nearly 20 years and is retiring. The Board of Directors has selected R2 Consults, LLC to handle their new national search for their next Chief Executive Officer on behalf of their statewide search committee. ASC now has a budget of over $5 million, a staff of more than 30, and satellite offices across the state to serve the rural, suburban, and urban areas in their coverage area.
Tremendous growth has occurred in the last few years moving ASC from the Hattiesburg Metropolitan Area (200,000 people in the metropolitan area) to covering a large portion of the state with HIV-specific funds while also providing services for those who are homeless and at risk of HIV in certain areas of Mississippi. ASC now covers five of nine health districts across Mississippi representing more than 2/3 of the geographic area including urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state. ASC now provides services to more than 50% of the state’s total population focused on HIV and HIV prevention through housing and other services. ASC provides Housing (rental subsidies), Case Management, Supportive Services, Advocacy, and Leadership across Mississippi. In Hattiesburg, known as the "Hub City," a vibrant and growing community located in the Pine Belt region of southern Mississippi, ASC provides direct housing and supportive services with owned and leased residences. ASC owns several properties ready to be developed into housing for families, and master leases several other properties for persons with HIV or homeless in need of housing.
Mississippi’s 3 million residents enjoy a spectacular coast along the Gulf of Mexico, metropolitan areas offering expertise in education and healthcare with several leading universities, the beautiful Natchez Trace Trail, the Petrified Forest, the Mississippi Blues music and the beauty of the Southeast.
Hattiesburg, where main offices are currently located, serves as a regional economic hub, with a diverse economy encompassing education, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The presence of major institutions like Forrest General Hospital and the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport underscores the city's role in regional healthcare and transportation. The area is also a center for logistics and distribution, benefiting from its strategic location at the intersection of several major highways.
Mississippi's state government, based in Jackson, plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that impact Hattiesburg and the broader Pine Belt region. The state's leadership is actively engaged in addressing public health issues, including the HIV epidemic. dmh.ms.gov
Advocacy groups such as the Mississippi HIV Decriminalization Network are working to reform outdated HIV laws that contribute to stigma and discrimination. These organizations are pushing for legislative changes that align with current scientific understanding and promote public health. mshivreform.org
Mississippi has a complex history regarding HIV/AIDS, marked by both challenges and resilience. The state has one of the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in the United States, with significant disparities affecting African American communities. Efforts to combat the epidemic are multifaceted, involving education, access to healthcare, and legal reform. Organizations like the Mississippi Center for Justice are at the forefront of advocating for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, addressing issues such as discrimination and access to care. mscenterforjustice.org+2mscenterforjustice.org+2mscenterforjustice.org+2
The new CEO must live in Mississippi and relocation will be supported to the successful candidate.
