Management Successes and Struggles for AIDS Service Organizations

Abstract

AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) began 25 years ago as alternative, community-based advocacy entities designed to address institutional neglect. They evolved into hybrid agencies, both activist and service-providing. As ASOs have changed, they now face management challenges common in all alternative agencies in later stages and challenges unique to the HIV field. Stigma, changing practice contexts, volunteerism, partnership, cultural competence, financial health, professionalism, service integration, job stress, and organizational cohesion are presented as typical challenges and contexts, paired with strategies to address them. Managers in the HIV field must balance many competing forces as the pandemic increases while funding and attention decrease. However, shifting contexts can create successes and struggles. ASOs remain viable and necessary as part of the tapestry of human services provision.

Key Words:

• Management
• administration
• HIV
• AIDS
• ASOs