The SOAC project is the result of a community call to action for stigma reduction advocacy in BC. The goal is to support organizations to learn how their programs and services may be contributing to stigma and discrimination and identify opportunities and actions for change. We will work to improve organizational outcomes related to stigma and discrimination directed towards people who access services, including those with lived and living experience of HIV and/or hepatitis C, people who use drugs, people living with mental health or substance use issues.
As a committee, hosted by Pacific Aids Network we’ve been working with the Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle Best Practices Framework document that is guiding a large part of our work. The committee met (in person and online) in October.
During the meeting, committee members received background and updates on community developments and were introduced to the draft Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle Best Practices. The committee shared their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. It was a lively and invigorating conversation. We spoke to whether the draft’s implementation approaches reflect best practices for stigma-free organizations and what are the next steps in building the Learning Assessment Cycle.