Updates

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV/AIDS (PASWHA) and Collaborative Solutions, Inc. are pleased to announce that the  2020 National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS is going virtual! 

Health and safety are top priorities during this unprecedented time, which includes sharing information that will help you and your organization navigate the effects and impact of COVID-19.  As we have done for the past 30+ years, the National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS will continue to provide best practices, real solutions from the field, and networking opportunities…just from a virtual space.   

We are still planning to host a series of plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and interactive small group sessions in a space that will allow HIV/AIDS-care social workers, federal partners, researchers, and professionals throughout various disciplines to come together to address current needs (especially through a COVID lens) and to continue working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.   

If you have already registered for the conference, great!  There is no need to make changes, and further instructions will be provided in the upcoming weeks.  Hotel reservations will be canceled automatically by the InterContinental New Orleans  without a penalty.   

Thank you in advance for your patience as we work hard to make this event interactive, informative, and fun!  Please continue to monitor this website for the latest information.  

 The 2020 National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS planning team, The Professional Association of Social Workers and Collaborative Solutions continues to stay abreast of new information posted by the CDC. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will continue to update our information and notifications. 
We have extended our early bird registration through March 31, 2020. We are in communication with The InterContinental Hotel and exploring all our options for the conference moving forward. Everybody’s health is our primary concern, and we plan to follow public health guidance as it pertains to large gatherings of people and mitigation strategies to slow the spread of the virus. We will update you as soon as we make decisions. We appreciate your patience as we work to find the best possible solution.
In the meantime, we want to assure you that you do not need to make any changes to registration or accommodations at this time.

• Registration: Know that any decision we make about the event will not penalize attendees as this situation is out of everybody’s control. If you need to cancel we certainly understand that. The deadline to request a full refund is April 10, 2020. We encourage you to hold off until we make final decisions about the event.
• Hotel: If you have a hotel room through our room block at the InterContinental New Orleans, you have until 72 hours prior to your reservation to cancel without penalty.

For additional questions, refunds or  comments, email Elizabeth@collaborative-solutions.net 

Birmingham, AL — The 2020 National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS (May 20-23, 2020), will continue as scheduled. The Professional Association of Social Workers, Collaborative Solutions, Inc, and The InterContinental Hotel New Orleans continue to stay abreast of new information posted by the CDC. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will continue to update our information and notifications. The CDC currently recommends that the public follow everyday preventative actions that include hand washing, covering your cough, and staying home if you are ill.

In preparation for the 2020 National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS (May 20-23, 2020), the conference planning team is preparing for the distribution of hand sanitizer on site. The CDC does not recommend that healthy individuals wear a facemask to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. Therefore, we will not distribute facemasks at the conference. However, we ask that if you are ill and/or have health concerns, please stay home so that you are well enough to attend next year’s conference. 

Here are a few additional resources to keep you safe and informed:

• Centers for Disease Control FAQs and Info
• World Health  Organization Preparedness and Travel Advice