call for abstracts Guide

This year’s theme, “Compassion to Action: Renewing the Spirit of Service in HIV Social Work,” reflects our commitment to reinvigorating the profession’s purpose and impact. As we confront the challenges of chronic disease management, particularly HIV, we must also navigate the political, moral, and social determinants of health that can hinder progress. Texas exemplifies the environmental factors that influence HIV outcomes, making it an ideal location to showcase innovative strategies and professional resilience. 

•  Advance Learning Intensive Pre-Conference (1/2-day session)
• 75-Minute Session: Individual Workshop
• 60-Minute Session: Conversation on Best Practices 
• Poster Presentation

• Advance Learning Intensive Pre-Conference (1/2-day session).  The Advanced Learning Intensive Pre-conference sessions are designed to offer a deeper, more rigorous training experience than traditional breakout sessions. These sessions emphasize the practical application of social work theories and evidence-based practices, bridging the gap between conceptual frameworks and real-world implementation. 
• HIV & Aging- HIV & Aging sessions will explore recent advances in treatment and care. Today, people living with HIV are experiencing longer, healthier lives. As a result, more than half of individuals living with HIV in the United States are now over the age of 50.
• Social Work Ethics-  The Social Work Ethics session will explore the core ethical principles that guide social work practice, including respect for the dignity and worth of individuals, the importance of human relationships, and the commitment to social justice.
• Innovative/Emerging Practices- Sessions will highlight cutting-edge approaches and forward-thinking strategies transforming social work practice. Participants will explore new models, technologies, and interventions that address evolving client needs and systemic challenges. Emphasis will be placed on innovation in service delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally responsive practices that promote equity, resilience, and impact across diverse communities. 
• Policy, Advocacy, and Systemic Change - Sessions will explore the critical role of supervision and leadership in advancing effective, ethical, and compassionate social work practice in HIV/AIDS. Sessions may highlight leadership development, supervision frameworks, organizational change, and approaches to sustaining staff well-being and resilience. 
• HIV 101-301-  This foundational session will provide an overview of HIV, including how the virus is transmitted, prevented, and treated. Participants will learn about the stages of HIV infection, the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the importance of early testing and ongoing care. The session also addresses common myths, stigma, and the social determinants that impact HIV outcomes. Ideal for those new to the field or seeking a refresher, this session equips attendees with essential knowledge to support individuals and communities affected by HIV.  
• HIV Criminalization-  Session will explore the legal, ethical, and social implications of HIV criminalization and highlight advocacy efforts aimed at reforming or repealing these harmful laws.   
• Housing and Social Determinants of Health- Sessions will address housing-first models for people living with HIV and experiencing homelessness. Addressing food insecurity and transportation barriers in HIV care. Leveraging Medicaid waivers and managed care for supportive housing. 
• Supervision & Leadership- Session will explore the critical role of social workers in dismantling HIV criminalization laws and advancing equitable access to care. Participants will examine advocacy strategies to secure fair and sustainable funding for HIV services, with a focus on marginalized communities. The session will also highlight how community-based participatory research (CBPR) can be leveraged to drive meaningful policy change, amplify lived experiences, and promote justice-centered approaches in HIV social work.
• Research and Evaluation-  This session type is designed to showcase empirical research, program evaluations, and data-driven insights that inform and advance social work practice in the context of HIV/AIDS. Presentations in this category should highlight rigorous methodologies, innovative approaches to data collection and analysis, and findings that contribute to the evidence base for HIV-related services, policies, or interventions. Sessions may include quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies, as well as evaluations of community-based programs, clinical interventions, or policy initiatives.

 Advance Intensive Pre-Conference Session (Because pre-conference sessions are more intense and require a special level of preparation, speaker(s) selected to facilitate a pre-conference session will be offered a total stipend of $1,500 per session (to be divided as the presenting team sees fit), a $525 travel stipend per presenter, a complimentary 1-day registration per presenter, and 1 night of lodging per presenter. 

• Hold a minimum of a master’s degree in social work or a closely related field (e.g., Public Health, Psychology, Nursing).
• Ten or more years of leadership and hands-on experience in HIV/AIDS-focused service delivery, policy development, or research initiatives.
• Demonstrate leadership and impact in clinical, community-based, or policy-focused settings relevant to HIV/AIDS and social work.
•  Each session must deliver 3.5 hours of instructional content, excluding scheduled breaks.  
•  Sessions will be held in-person on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, as part of the pre-conference programming.  

75- Minute Workshop

• The lead presenter is a faculty member of an accredited undergraduate or graduate school of social work. 
• The lead presenter has received specialized graduate or postgraduate-level training in the subject taught in the program. 
• The lead presenter has extensive experience, including no less than five years of practical application or research involving the subject taught in the course.

60-Minute Workshop 

• The lead presenter is a faculty member of an accredited undergraduate or graduate school of social work. 
• The lead presenter has completed specialized graduate or postgraduate training in the subject matter of the program

Poster Presentation

• The lead presenter has received specialized undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate level training in the subject taught in the program. 

 In-Person Workshop 

To maximize interaction and collaboration, in-person sessions are highly encouraged and will receive priority over virtual options.

Mixed Hybrid Workshop 

 A mixed hybrid session blends in-person delivery with virtual participation options, offering flexibility for presenters and attendees.

Poster Presentation Only 

Poster presentations must be presented in person onsite at the conference venue. Virtual or hybrid options are not available for this format. This ensures that presenters can engage directly with attendees, answer questions, and foster meaningful dialogue during the scheduled poster session. 

Collaborative Solutions, Inc. (ACE Provider Approval #1548) is approved to offer continuing social work Organizations, not individual courses, and are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Collaborative Solutions, Inc. maintains responsibility for this course(s). ACE Provider Approval Period: 05/16/2024– 05/16/2027.