It Takes One to Help One: The Role of Peer Navigation in Early Intervention Services November 27, 2012 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Grantee Meeting

The National Association of People with AIDS, founded in 1983 is the oldest national AIDS organization in the US, and the oldest national network of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. NAPWA advocates for the lives and dignity of all people living with HIV/AIDS, especially the more than a million Americans who live with it today. We want the epidemic to end, and we want life to be better for people with HIV until it does. About NAPWA

MISSION For nearly three decades now, NAPWA has been the trusted, independent voice for the more than one million Americans now living with HIV and AIDS. Some things have changed in thirty years; HIV is now a virus we live with, not one we have to die with. Other things have not. We still need a place at the policy table. We still need to educate our communities. We still need to help Americans living with the virus find information and services. We work to make those things happen. Who we are is what we do.

Role of Peer Navigator  A peer navigator is uniquely qualified to provide a voice of experience, serves as a model of healthy behavior and is a liaison between the client, his/her medical care and support service providers.  Through a shared background with the client, common culture and language, Peer navigators can most effectively relate to clients in ways health care providers cannot  The peer provides the client with emotional and social support in order to prevent the challenges and realities of care from overwhelming them thus allowing them to be linked and retained in care.

The Work of a Navigator  Use motivational interviewing during the intake/assessment.  Work to resolve core issues not merely address crisis situation.  Empower clients to tackle their own issues, thereby helping them develop personal skills and a sense of self- efficacy.

Advocacy Defined Specifically:  Argues for a cause; a supporter or defender  Pleads in another’s behalf: an intercessor  Type of problem solving designed to protect personal and legal rights, and to ensure a dignified existence.

Self-Efficacy  If people believe that their actions will produce the outcome they desire, they will be motivated to act or persevere in the face of difficulties.  The higher the sense of efficacy, the greater the effort, persistence, and resilience. People see challenges to be mastered rather than threats to be avoided. Moreover there is less anxiety, stress, depression, and a better vision of how to solve a problem.

Consumer Advocacy Project (CAP) As NAPWA’s first Peer Navigation Program ( ) CAP provided consumer advocacy and outreach services for primarily indigent, uninsured, and under insured persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Ryan White Washington DC Eligible Metropolitan Area. CAP’s primary objective was to provide assistance to eligible individuals in obtaining medical, legal, financial and other supportive services. CAP was also instrumental in supporting consumers in their Grievance Resolution Process.

The Bayard Rustin Project (BRP) BRP is a concentrated HIV testing initiative for at-risk African-American MSM in Washington, DC. The Project aims to increase their access to and use of HIV prevention and testing services, prevent new HIV infections, address HIV/AIDS stigma and homophobia, and provide a model for controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the nation's capital. BRP reaches its at-risk target population through consumer trainings (NAPWA's Common Threads); outreach and testing events; community forums; and partnerships with AIDS service organizations (ASOs), faith- based institutions, community organizations, academic programs, and individuals, each providing a unique point of access to the African- American MSM community. NAPWA is proud to count the following among its BRP coalition partners:

HealthConnect NAPWA's HealthConnect is an Early Intervention Services (EIS) program targeting people living with untreated and undiagnosed HIV in the Ryan White Washington, D.C. Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA). HealthConnect has HIV-positive Community Health Workers (CHWs) in all the EMA communities to reach out to the newly diagnosed and those new to and returning to care, to link these individuals to immediate medical care and social support services, and work with them to help them become self- sustaining in care.

Advocacy from Within: Case Studies from the Front Lines D. Paul Gordon – BRP/HC Advocate Tyranny Smith – BRP/HC Advocate Elese Stanley – HC Advocate

Question and Answer

Stephen Bailous Executive Vice President (240) Rodney McCoy, Jr. Program Manager (240) Contact Information D. Paul Gordon (240) (HC cell) Tyranny “Tori” Smith (240) (HC cell) Elese Stanley (240) (HC cell)

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