SPNS/Fax: An Electronic Report from HRSA/HAB's SPNS Cooperative Agreements:
Volume 2, Issue 21 (October 17, 1997)

This document has been superceded by our Online Knowledge Base on Innovative Models of HIV/AIDS Care. Click here to access the Knowledge Base. Click here to access descriptions of 27 Innovative Models of HIV/AIDS Care and the lessons learned from these projects. SPNS/Fax was written, published, and distributed by fax by The Measurement Group between 1995 and 1998.

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.

The Fortune Society Provides Discharge Planning for HIV-Positive Latino/a Prisoners

Latino and Latina prisoners are disproportionately represented among the HIV-positive population in the United States and face extreme barriers to receiving needed services. The Fortune Society’s Empowerment Through HIV Information, Community and Services (ETHICS) Project recognizes that, in addition to having many needs, ex-offenders living with HIV/AIDS often feel isolated, depressed, and powerless. Most lack the skills and self-confidence necessary to navigate New York City’s fragmented service delivery system; therefore, they tend to respond to red tape and other barriers with hostility or resignation. Moreover, prisoners seldom receive any guidance or referrals for services, and thus are at high-risk for resuming previous activities such as substance abuse, unprotected sex, prostitution, and/or criminal activity.

The ETHICS Project targets symptomatic HIV-positive Latino/a jail and prison inmates who are within an average of 6 months of release. The project provides both discharge planning services while the prisoners are still incarcerated, and case management and referral services upon and after their release. The program model is a holistic one, addressing the full range of needs faced by symptomatic HIV-positive Latino/a ex-offenders, including the need for post release counseling, intensive case management, entitlements, crisis resolution, and relapse prevention. In addition, assistance is provided to help make the difficult transition from incarceration and previous street life to a productive life and re-entry into the larger community as smooth as possible.


"I never really believed that ETHICS could help a person like me with so many problems and no one or nothing to come home to, but boy oh boy was I wrong! Upon my release, I went to Fortune, homeless, penniless and still wearing my green state uniform. I was welcomed with smiles, open arms, and unconditional concern. By mid-afternoon, I had a hot meal in my stomach, new clothing, an open case at the Division of AIDS Services, subway tokens, a new temporary home, and last but not least, a new family at The Fortune Society."

— Robert L., ETHICS client

The innovative aspects of The Fortune Society’s ETHICS Project include the following:

  • Culturally sensitive staff and culturally appropriate services

  • Utilization of staff who primarily are ex-offenders and in recovery

  • Strong advocacy and empowerment of program participants

  • Provision of HIV-related services within a broad range of other services, including education, drug treatment, and career development

  • Provision of services by ex-offenders in self-help community

  • Successful program completion ceremonies where clients and their families can take pride in their achievements

Clients are assigned a case manager; typically, the most urgent case management needs are medical evaluation and care; safe, suitable short-term housing; clothing; and assured access to nutritious meals. After referrals and follow-up, clients are encouraged to remain with the ETHICS Project for an additional 4 to 6 months. During this time, clients participate in an array of activities that promote wellness and help them pursue serious life-changing goals, including social and fitness activities, support groups, educational seminars, advocacy activities, peer education, and the celebration of their successes and achievements.

The positive discharge planning and support services provided through the ETHICS Project help to ensure the health of symptomatic HIV-positive ex-offenders who might otherwise face severe linguistic and cultural barriers in attempting to access mainstream HIV/AIDS services.

For more information, contact ETHICS Project Director Tracey Gallagher at The Fortune Society, Inc., 39 West 19th Street, New York, New York 10011, 212.206.7070, ext. 247.

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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