AIDS COUNCIL AIDS Council of Northeastern New York AHP is conducting an evaluation of a prevention program under a five-year grant awarded under the CSAP (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention) Minority AIDS Initiative. The program’s primary purpose is to prevent and reduce the onset of substance abuse, and to prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis among targeted at-risk minority populations, especially minority populations who may be reentering communities from prison, jail, and substance abuse treatment. The first year of the project focused on conducting a needs assessment and developing the project’s strategic plan as part of CSAP’s Strategic Planning Framework (SPF). In years 2-5, the AIDS Council will implement an evidence- based intervention program called ‘Safety Counts’ to reduce the risk of infection and transmission of HIV and hepatitis viruses. AHP has designed an evaluation that will examine both client and program level data. It includes a mixed methods approach using quantitative and qualitative data and addresses issues of process and outcomes. Client outcomes will be examined to assess the impact of program services on clients and whether it results in reduced risky behaviors. The outcomes of interest include: increased use of safe sex practices, increased knowledge of HIV/Hepatitis, increased safe practices related to needle drug use, decreased use of substances, and attitudes about HIV/Hepatitis counseling and testing. The primary source of data for examining client outcomes is in-person interviews. These interviews will take place at program intake, program discharge, and 60 days post discharge. The evaluation plan also includes collecting qualitative data through yearly focus groups with clients to gather information on program implementation and client satisfaction.
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