1. Prevention for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto Rico.

A.

Purpose:
The Prevention Program for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto Rico seeks to prevent secondary transmission among women who practice high risk behaviors, to increase access to care for women living with HIV,

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to increase knowledge of protective behaviors of HIV infected women, and to reduce isolation of women living with HIV infection.

It is expected that this program will demonstrate the effectiveness of:
a collaborative partnership approach between community based organization(s) and local health or social service provider(s); coalitions and support groups for HIV infected women; and gender-specific and culturally appropriate approaches.

B.

Project Outcomes:
Applicants requesting support under the Prevention for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto Rico must address project outcomes that can establish and implement activities resulting in social networks, coalitions, and support groups that assist HIV infected women to access care, to remain in care, and to increase their prevention competence.

C.

Project Requirements:
Each project funded under this demonstration must:
Develop a model plan to outreach to HIV positive women by coordinating with existing local providers and recruiting women to participate in building social networks, support groups, or coalitions.

Facilitate the development of social networks by creating safe forums for risk reduction counseling/education, confidential settings for discussion on coping with living with HIV, peer and mentoring support for families, and isolation and stigma reduction.

Coordinate HIV counseling and testing for women whose HIV status is unknown and link women who test HIV positive to medical care and other services.

Conduct local evaluation of performance activities.

The objectives of the OWH program are to:
1. Increase access to quality care and treatment for women living with HIV infection.

2. Improve and increase access to secondary HIV prevention services to women living with HIV infection and primary prevention for those women at risk for infection.

3. Increase understanding of living with HIV, disease management, and treatment adherence.

4. Increase community support activities for women living with HIV and their families.