The HOME Project Health Options Mean Empowerment

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The HOME Project (Health Options Mean
Empowerment)
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The HOME Project (Health Options Mean
Empowerment)

• Olga Grinstead (PI), Angela Allen, Megan Comfort,
  Allison Futeral, Barbara Garcia, Kelly Knight,
  Kathleen McCartney, Tor Neilands, Christine
  Soriano (CAPS)
• Philippe Bourgois (Department of Anthropology,
  History, and Social Medicine, UCSF)
  
• Jolene Forman, Tara Regan, Barry Zack
  (Centerforce)
  
• Funded by the National Institute of Nursing
  Research (NINR)

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HOME Research Questions

• Formative research what are the HIV risks and
  needs that women with incarcerated male partners
  experience?
  
• Intervention Development how can we address
  these risks and needs in a population-specific
  intervention?
  
• Evaluation can the HOME intervention affect
  womens knowledge, behavior, and/or attitudes
  regarding HIV risk?

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The HOME InterventionFebruary 2005-January 2006

• Organized and facilitated community-building
  activities, presentations by Bay Area community
  agencies, and health-related outreach

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The HOME Community Health Fair
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The HOME Intervention

• 1-on-1 health education
• Kitchen-table style approaches
• Referrals to community agencies

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The HOME Intervention

• Recruited and trained peer educators to provide
  HIV-education and outreach to other women visitors

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Lessons Learned

• Making intervention participation open to all
  helps to combat stigma and promote social support
  and connection
  
• Covering a broad scope of topics rather than
  focusing solely on stigma-laden issues keeps
  participants engaged

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Lessons Learned

• Meeting people where theyre at is important
  but once youve met them, dont be afraid to ask
  more of them.
  
• Research participation can be an important form
  of intervention and outreach
  

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Contact information

• Megan Comfort
• Megan.Comfort_at_ucsf.edu
• [phone]
• www.caps.ucsf.edu
• www.centerforce.org