Michigan Forward in Enhancing Research and Community Equity

- Health Emergency Lifeline Programs- Corktown Health Center | Patrick Yankee
- Michigan Department of Community Health – STD Division | Amy Peterson
- LGBT Detroit | Curtis Lipscomb
FLINT
- Wellness Services, Inc. | Stevi Atkins and Teresa Springer
YPSILANTI & DETROIT
- Unified - HIV Health and Beyond (Formerly HARC and APM) | Jimena Loveluck and Akilah Benton


About MFierce
Rama Yisrael Arjita
Curtis Collins
Artemis Gorde
Marcos Carrillo
Youth Advisory Board
Steering Committee



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Facilitated 11 community dialogues across Southeast Michigan to inform the development of structural change interventions, the Advocacy Collective and the Health Access Initiative.
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Created and maintained a LGBTQ+ Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to inform and support with intervention activities.
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Developed the Health Access Initiative (HAI) which is being implemented in 10 health centers and clinics in the region
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As part of the HAI, implemented 10 online and onsite trainings on LGBTQ+ cultural humility practices, patient-centered care, and sexual health.
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As part of the HAI, distributed resources and provided technical assistance to health centers and clinics to improve the services, programs, and environment for LGBTQ+ youth.
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Developed MFierce.org as a resource website for organizations, clinics, and health centers who engage with or serve LGBTQ+ youth.
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YAB members completed 26 advocacy, public health, and professional development trainings.
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The MFierce YAB have presented at 10 different conferences and panels including the:
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Trans National Health Conference
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Great Lakes Chapter of Society of Public Health Educators Conference
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National Conference on Adolescent Health
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Michigan Primary Care Association LGBTQ Health Summit
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Accomplishments
• Increase awareness about HIV/STI disparities in the community,
• Promote collaborations between multiple sectors and identifying new opportunities for STI prevention and care service delivery, and
• Create equitable access to HIV/STI sites by aiding young, gay, and bisexual men and trans women (YGBMTW) access culturally humble and sensitive services.
Michigan Forward in Enhancing Research and Community Equity (MFierce) is a 3-year project funded by the CDC Community Approaches to Reducing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (CARS) initiative. The Coalition is comprised of staff from the Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, a LGBTQ+ Youth Advisory Board, and a Steering Committee. MFierce has three goals:
