AEGiS-NHIVPC: Bridging Gaps Through Collaboration: Integrating HIV Counseling & Testing Into A NYC Prevention Case Management(PCM) Program Servicing Ex-offender Females

National HIV Prevention Conference

Atlanta, Georgia, USA — July 27 - 30, 2003

Bridging Gaps Through Collaboration: Integrating HIV Counseling & Testing Into A NYC Prevention Case Management(PCM) Program Servicing Ex-offender Females

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-G0503
Phillips TJ, Jones-Lee R
Women's Prison Association & Home, Inc., Brooklyn, NY

ISSUE: African American and Latina female ex-offenders returning to NYC from jail or prison face multiple barriers to community reintegration upon release. This group in particular, often deprioritizes follow through in seeking health and support services to minimize engaging in risky-behavior. An integrative approach in providing HIV Counseling & Testing (CT) and Prevention Case Management (PCM) services into a "one stop shopping" model can increase at-risk populations level of HIV awareness and foster early testing and ongoing client engagement in PCM services.

SETTING: A Brooklyn-based "023"-funded PCM program targeting at-risk ex-offender women, in partnership with a nearby "0100"-funded Community Health Clinic offering weekly on-site CT services and access to primary care services if needed.

PROJECT: Starting its collaboration in August 2002, Women's Prison Association's PCM program and Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center's HIV Program, set out to maximize prevention activities to at-risk populations from all NYC boroughs. Both CDC grantees recognized the necessity for collaboration after each fell short of testing objectives working independently. At risk groups are engaged by Peer Educators who conduct street outreach and presentations at local shelters, parole, and probation offices. Through these outreach endeavors, clients are linked with WPA's ongoing PCM, health-education/risk reduction (HE/ RR) services, while Brooklyn Plaza conducts Counseling and Testing as the gateway service to access communities of color into early prevention services.

RESULTS: Prior to WPA and BPMC's collaboration, PCM client participation in CT activities was 40% below the targeted number of women. Low turn out was due in part to sporadic availability of on-site CT contractors. Client participation in HE/RR workshops was inconsistent as well. Similarly, BPMC's referral rates in accessing consumers into primary care were short of monthly benchmarks forecasted to increase the number of users at the Health Center. As a result of the partnership, PCM client participation in CT services has exceeded 100% of projection since August, 2002 with participation in workshops jumping to 190% of targets for the same period. As a result of CT services Brooklyn Plaza provides at WPA, referral rates to BPMC increased by 15%. Additionally, post test - results increased from 64% to 85% over the last reporting period. Although the goal of 90% post-test compliance was not obtained - a significant increase in return rate has resulted in client participation in WPA workshops and referrals to Brooklyn Plaza.

LESSONS LEARNED: Collaborations are necessary to bridge the gap of unmet services. The collaboration between both agencies demonstrate that HIV-prevention services can be maximized when short and long-term prevention services are available at one site. Reaching at-risk women of color, who possess multiple social service needs was achieved by providing CT and PCM interventions -- thus impacting change in ones' behavior, encouraging risk reduction and increasing HIV awareness, testing and engagement in PCM services.

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M1-G0503