April 1, 2004

WHAT:     Community groups, or POPS (Power of Partnerships), will be showcasing an array of talent tonight in a kick off event for MOMS (Making Our Moms Stronger), a UAB program aimed at helping HIV-positive moms reduce the stresses of caring for themselves and their children. The "MOMS and POPS" talent show is intended to be a playful introduction to the MOMS program and to strengthen the program's alliances with community partners that may refer eligible moms for enrollment.

WHEN:   Thursday, April 1, 5-7 p.m.

WHERE:  Ryals Public Health Building, Room 407, 1665 University Blvd.(Parking available in lot directly behind the building. Enter from 9th Ave.)

WHO:       Susie Davies, Ph.D., assistant professor of public health with the department of health behavior at UAB, directs the MOMS program. Angela Williams, research specialist with the department of health behavior, is organizer of the "MOMS and POPS" event.

Coordinators/Judges for the event are: Laura Secor/Dr. Michael Saag with UAB's 1917 Clinic; Cherry Rollins/Kathie Hiers with AIDS Alabama; Cynthia Rodgers/Dr. Marsha Sturdevant with the UAB/Children's Family Clinic; Carolyn Foster/Tony Morris with AIDS In Minorities; Ann Atkinson/Dr. Jane Mobley with St George's; and Nikole Layton/Karen Musgrove with Birmingham AIDS Outreach.

MORE:    The five-year, $1.8 million program, which began two years ago, is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Stress interventions have been developed and researchers now are recruiting moms to participate in the two interventions - one focusing on coping with stresses of personal health care and one focusing on coping with stresses of parenting. All together, the program will enroll 240 HIV-positive women who have children between the ages of 5 and 11. For more information, contact Williams at 205-975-5419.