SPNS/Fax: An Electronic Report from HRSA/HAB's SPNS Cooperative Agreements:
Volume 2, Issue 10 (May 16, 1997)

Information dissemination from 27 Innovative Models of HIV Care projects funded as Special Projects of National Significance by the HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Introduction

Welcome to SPNS/Fax: An Electronic Report from HRSA/HAB's SPNS Cooperative Agreements. In each issue of SPNS/Fax, we will highlight findings from the HRSA Special Projects of National Significance Program Cooperative Agreements. The projects have been funded to develop innovative models of HIV/AIDS care. SPNS/Fax reports are distributed every two weeks by fax machine to all subscribers. All issues of SPNS/Fax are also available at this Web site. Due to slight differences in the media, issues distributed by fax machine may appear slightly different from those posted on this Web site, but the content is identical.

OUTREACH, INC.’s Safe Place Program

The Safe Place project was designed to meet the needs of African American HIV-infected substance abusers currently living in or around housing developments in Atlanta, Georgia. Based on current data, when clients first enter the program, only 13.8 percent had their own place to live. Prior to enrollment, 85 percent of clients had been involved in the criminal justice system and 98.8 percent had abused alcohol or illicit drugs. This population also experiences a multitude of barriers in accessing critically needed treatment. Safe Place is a project that has begun to address service gaps and identified needs on a local and national level, by improving access to, coordination of, and quality of HIV service delivery.

The primary strategy of OUTREACH, INC.’s service delivery model is to employ peer counselors and street team staff who are indigenous to the target population. Not only have the counselors lived in the same neighborhoods, most are recovering substance abusers, and many are HIV-positive. With a unique quality of compassion and understanding, peer counselors and staff have repeated successes in bringing clients through critically needed medical and other ancillary services. Once a client enters the OUTREACH, INC. family of services, staff provides "face-to-face" management. Moreover, staff follows one individual into treatment, through services, to follow-up at home. As a result of the overwhelming response and need, OUTREACH, INC. began the process of outfitting and staffing a new drop-in center to expand service delivery.

Just out of prison with only the street to call home, Billy O. didn't realize that walking through the door of Safe Place would change his life forever. Billy's story is a story of personal triumph, fueled by determination and a compassionate team of Outreach, Inc. counselors. Reaching a desperate point in his life, he was led to a prison cell to deal with HIV, a poly-drug addiction, and intense feelings of hopelessness and despair. Today, you'll find Billy a new and revived person–a person eager to contribute his skills of compassion and understanding to others, like him.

OUTREACH, INC.’s peer counselors are a strong presence in the local community. In December 1994, peer counselors began canvassing the community. During year two, 4,340 contacts were made through door-to-door contact with neighbors in the targeted neighborhoods. To date in year three, OUTREACH, INC.’s Safe Place and Drop-In Center have provided services to 2,588 clients representing 1,622 males and 966 females. Services provided were: phone contacts; walk-ins; clients placed in treatment; counseling incarcerated clients; HIV testing; support groups; emergency housing; individual counseling and a community day treatment program. In addition, peer counselors:

• have office space in two correctional facilities to counsel HIV infected and substance abusing clients;

• appear in the courts to advocate for HIV infected individuals;

• work in health clinics and other health care facilities to assist clients through medical treatment;

• work in substance abuse treatment facilities to encourage clients through the steps to recovery; and

• are on the streets, in the shooting galleries, and at hangout spots.

Future plans for OUTREACH, INC.’s Safe Place project include the development of an HIV Primary Care Provider component. This component, developed in coordination with Morehouse School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital, will train 45 primary care providers through five sessions that will increase knowledge, receptiveness and skill in treating the target population. Crucial to the training program is the understanding of the providers that: culturally sensitive communication with the target population is essential; understanding the fears that prohibit clients from following medical regimens; building trust with the target population; addressing the practicality of compliance with medical treatments; and, confidentiality concerns of the clients themselves. Additionally, peer counselors will meet with primary care providers to enhance information exchange.

For more information, contact Sandra S. McDonald, President, OUTREACH, INC., 3030 Campbellton Road, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30311, 404.346.3922.

SPNS/Fax is produced by The Measurement Group–PROTOTYPES Evaluation and Dissemination Center (EDC). Editorial comments should be made to The Measurement Group at 5811A Uplander Way, Culver City, California 90230, 310.216.1051, 310.670.7735 (fax).
 

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