EVALUATION OF A MODEL HEALTH CARE FOR HOMELESS, AT RISK AND HIV POSITIVE YOUTH. Woods, ER and Goodman, E.

The Boston HAPPENS (HIV Adolescent Provider and Peer Education Network for Services) Program integrates 8 agencies (2 youth outreach multi-service agencies, 3 health centers and 3 hospitals) to coordinate care for HIV infected, homeless, and at risk youth in a large city. Our model provides youth-oriented 1) outreach, advocacy and support (professional and peer) for homeless, street and HIV positive youth, 2) risk reduction and supportive counseling, 3) access to HIV testing, 4) health status screening and needs assessment, 5) multi-disciplinary primary and HIV care including mental health and support services, 6) follow-up and continuing care, and 7) integrated and coordinated care. The cross-cutting and site-specific evaluation of the program includes assessing the community-based infrastructure of services in the area, health services evaluation, outcomes research, qualitative components and provider and client satisfaction with Network services. Agency interviews and questionnaires, self-reported demographic and risk behavior information, health status, health services provided, focus groups and consumer questionnaires are used to evaluate the program. Health services data indicate that HIV positive women are more likely to have had a previous history of pregnancy (p=0.040) and substance use (p=0.00091), sex with an IDU (p=0.00012), sex with an HIV positive partner (P<0.0001) and survival sex (p=0.046) but not a history of IDU or STD’s compared with other women. HIV positive youth are accessing Network services more than HIV negative and untested youth (p=0.0007 to p<0.0001). Our focus groups showed that youth prefer youth-oriented, non judgmental and confidential services, in comprehensive health care settings. By the end of this session, attendees will be able to understand the complexity and interrelationship of evaluation issues. In addition attendees will be able to define evaluation issues relating to multi-site, multi-method grant programs.

Related Information:

The Evolution Of An Adolescent-Specific Network Of Care For HIV-Positive, Homeless And At-Risk Youth
Health Service Needs For HIV Positive And At-Risk Young Women
Providing Mental Health And Substance Abuse Services To HIV Positive And Homeless Youth
Mental Health And Substance Abuse Services For HIV Positive, Homeless, And At-Risk Youth
Do High Risk Youth Use Targeted HIV Testing Services: Experience Of A Program Of Care For High Risk Youth
Youth Involvement In The Boston Happens Program

Evaluation and Dissemination Center: Innovative Models of Adolescent HIV/AIDS Care 1993-1998