Conference Abstract

Health Services Utilization by Homeless and HIV Positive Adolescents: An Innovative Model. E Woods, M Melchiono, P Keenan. Boston "HAPPENS."

90 Minute Workshop

Category: Adolescents & Young People

Presentation Date & Time: 03/26/98 11:00:00

Little research exists on health service utilization by homeless and HIV positive adolescents. The purpose of our model of care is to advance knowledge in this area for adolescent care providers. The Boston HAPPENS (HIV Adolescent Provider and Peer Education Network for Services) Program serves metropolitan Boston to connect HIV positive and at-risk youth to care. The eight core agencies include two multi-service outreach agencies, three Boston hospitals and three community health centers. HAPPENS provides a city-wide network of culturally and developmentally appropriate adolescent-specific services including; outreach and risk reduction counseling, HIV counseling and testing, life management counseling, primary health care, basic needs services, integrated care and communication between providers in Boston. The program, established in 1993, established and maintained a network of coordinated care serving 46 HIV positive (26 male and 20 female) youth and 1,301 (479 male and 819 female) at-risk youth. Of the HIV positive youth in care, 23 have no type of health insurance, 20 of the youth have Medicaid and 3 have some type of private insurance. The management team, consisting of a nursing clinical coordinator, physician, family nurse practitioner, social worker, and outreach and services coordinator, provides clinical coordination in a variety of settings, ranging from the street corner, to shelters, clinic, and wherever youth may congregate. Nurse case management is essential to connect youth to care and coordinate care across sites. This innovative network of youth-specific care offers a continuum from street outreach to referral and HIV specialty care that crosses institutional barriers.