HIV/AIDS
Evaluation of Adolescent AIDS/HIV Prevention Programs—The AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health has funded a variety of programs ranging from minority community-based organizations, multi-service youth organizations, women’s health care providers, and other types of agencies to conduct programs designed to reduce the risk of AIDS/HIV among adolescents. Target populations being served range from street youth to adolescents in foster care with services including mobile health care vans to support groups for adolescents who have tested HIV-positive. In 1992, WRI assessed the impact of health education activities and policy issues related to targeting and cost-effectiveness. The evaluation included both qualitative and quantitative elements, surveys, and analysis of fiscal data along with health-related outcome measures.
Finding Funds for AIDS Projects in New York City—In 1998, WRI issued the third edition of a comprehensive directory of funding sources for AIDS-related initiatives. Entitled Finding Funds for AIDS Projects in New York City, the directory provides information on funding by foundations, corporations, community grantmakers, and government. WRI also conducted technical assistance workshops to facilitate agency access to funding. These activities were undertaken to help enable community-based organizations and other New York City agencies and individuals to better respond to the escalating AIDS crisis. Funds from the New York State AIDS Institute, New York Community Trust, United Way of New York City, National AIDS Memorial, Michael Palm Foundation, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supported this project.
HIV Caregivers’ Manual––This manual, Caring for Children with Special Needs, is intended for caregivers (parents, foster parents, others) of children with HIV. Topics include information on HIV, keeping the child healthy, eating healthy foods, giving medicine, living with HIV, helping an adolescent deal with HIV, health and mental health issues, legal issues, and resource information. Printed in February 2004, the manual was developed and written by the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, with the input of Families Making a Difference (families who care for children with HIV). WRI provided design and production support.
Options HIV Intervention Project – In 2007, WRI provided editorial and design assistance to the Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention (CHIP) of the University of Connecticut. The goal of the project was to edit and design materials to train healthcare providers in the Options intervention, an HIV risk reduction intervention for patients living with HIV who are in primary care. Materials included a Risk Reduction Strategies manual, Implementation manual, Protocol manual, and appendices, patient handouts, and a brochure. In 2008, CHIP asked WRI to edit and design two manuals for trainers of the Options intervention. The manuals include a number of PowerPoint slides.
Technical Assistance to Betances Health Unit—In 1998, WRI developed a survey and wrote a report of findings regarding the medical and support service needs of 20 HIV positive Hispanic women in New York City’s Lower East Side. As clients of Betances Health Unit, the women were asked questions about their access and use of services, perceived value of services received from Betances and other resources, and demographics. The findings provided information to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on the types of HIV/AIDS related primary medical care and support services required by Hispanic women infected with HIV. The goal was to help HRSA make better informed policy decisions concerning the types of services offered by its grantees.
Technical Assistance to HIV Programs—Throughout 2001, WRI assisted New York State authorized agencies that provide substance abuse and harm reduction/needle exchange programs to clients with HIV/AIDS in New York City. This technical support includes building/enhancing the infrastructure of the agencies by diversifying revenue sources and improving cash flow, identifying potential funders, and developing additional resources and capacity to integrate client services with existing programs for families and children. This project was funded by the New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute.
Technical Assistance to the AIDS Institute’s Community Service Programs—In 1990, WRI received funding to provide technical assistance to the 12 Community Service Programs under contract to the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health. To enhance their ability to offer effective services and to develop sound organizational practices, WRI provided training and technical assistance in fiscal management, data management/ information systems, resource development, volunteer coordination, and policies and procedures development.
Technical Assistance to the American Red Cross—In 1997, WRI provided technical assistance to the American Red Cross to better meet the needs of its clients with AIDS/HIV. This assistance consists of reviewing the ARC’s internal operations, including its enrollment and scheduling procedures, and developing strategies for expanding the ridership of the organization’s Transportation Services Unit.
Technical Assistance to the Village Center for Care’s AIDS Network—In 1996, WRI provided assistance to the Network of AIDS Services to the Village Center for Care (VCC) in New York City. Concerned with developing a more comprehensive understanding of its clients and residents in various programs, VCC asked WRI to develop program-specific Client/Resident Profile Reports. Data were collected from the client case records, and a standardized data collection instrument was used to record the information presented in the reports. WRI wrote four reports on clients in the Day Treatment Program, Rivington House, and the Community Case Management Program; the reports included information on demographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS information, program information, client assessments, and client needs.
