Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Provision of comprehensive community based services to children/families with HIV infection in the US.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24;8(1):Mo19 (abstract no. MoD 0070). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA8/92400026 Boland M; Harvey D; Burr C; Conviser R; National Pediatric HIV Resource Center, University of Medicine &; Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, Newark.
Abstract:
ISSUE/PROBLEM: The HIV epidemic is growing rapidly among children, adolescents and women in the US and increasingly affects entire families, comprised largely of low income persons of color. Taken together, children, youth, and women account for over 12% of all AIDS cases. The problems associated with poverty, drug use, and chronically limited access to health care make it particularly challenging to provide for the social service and mental health needs of HIV affected families. In 1988, a national demonstration program was funded to develop comprehensive, community initiated programs responsive to the needs of families with HIV infected children. To receive funding, sites had to provide access to and coordinate health care, social services, nutrition, mental health, family support, and educational and vocational assistance. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: In 1991, the National Pediatric HIV Resource Center surveyed the 24 direct service sites to gather information on the history and structure of the demonstration projects and compile information about their client populations including number and characteristics of clients served. RESULTS: Completed surveys were returned from Project Directors at 21/24 sites in 18 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Each site developed a program specific to the needs of the community while assuring access to a core set of services. The projects reported serving 12,113 women, teens and males and 2,661 children (under 12 yrs) in 1991. Injecting drug use was implicated in adult infection with the majority of children perinatally infected. 11% of children were in foster care and 7% in institutions with most living in a family setting. Over 66% received Medicaid and more than half of the remainder were either self insured or uninsured. LESSONS LEARNED: The projects are diverse and represent models of direct care delivery that incorporate health and social services delivery to families rather than individual clients. Initially focused on children, the projects increasingly are providing services to teenagers and adult males and females including those family members affected but not infected. The projects have been successful in reaching and serving young families at risk for and affected by HIV in the communities in which they operate. Also, by a responsiveness to the communities they serve they have utilized existing resources and combined public and private support to develop comprehensive service networks.
Keywords: Adolescence Adult Child *Child Health Services/UTILIZATION Child, Preschool *Community Health Services/UTILIZATION Delivery of Health Care *Family Health Female Foster Home Care Human HIV Infections/CONGENITAL/PSYCHOLOGY/*THERAPY/TRANSMISSION Infant Infant, Newborn Institutionalization Male Medicaid Medically Uninsured Poverty Social Work Substance Abuse, Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS United States ABSTRACT 921230
M92C5321
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
