Improving Health Outcomes for HIV-Positive Individuals Transitioning from Correctional Settings to the Community

Improving Health Outcomes for HIV-Positive Individuals Transitioning from Correctional Settings to the Community
6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 9a-5p – Hawthorne ARCS

This one-day training is for non-clinical providers who work with HIV positive clients who were formerly incarcerated or who are involved in the criminal justice system. The training will inform providers about the culture of corrections as it relates to HIV-infected inmates’ needs upon community re-entry. Best practices will be reviewed to assist formerly incarcerated clients living with HIV/AIDS establish and maintain linkages to care, as well as maneuver through the system and access needed services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of community providers in supporting successful community re-entry for incarcerated HIV positive clients;
• Describe the distinction between jail and prison custodial settings and how HIV transitional planning services differ;
• Outline the challenges that HIV-infected inmates face upon release;
• Describe effective engagement techniques for working with inmates who are transitioning into community systems of care;
• Discuss strategies for conducting assessments with former inmates who are living with HIV/AIDS to learn about their needs and to create appropriate linkages and referrals; and
• Identify support services and resources for HIV infected inmates who have left the correctional system.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information, harm reduction and corrections.
Audience: All health and human service providers who work directly with formerly incarcerated clients