Background
The Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) initiative "Targeted Peer Support Model Development for Caribbeans Living with HIV/AIDS" demonstration project sought to evaluate community-based peer programs that served people living with HIV who are of Caribbean origin. Systemic barriers based on cultural beliefs and stigma prevent persons of Caribbean origin living with HIV from learning their HIV status and accessing care. The Academy for Educational Development served as the Evaluation and Support Center for the initiative, developing and implementing a multi-site evaluation to assess the peer support interventions implemented by five demonstration sites.
These demonstration project grant recipients included: Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center (Brooklyn, NY); Community Healthcare Network, (New York, NY); Lutheran Medical Center (Brooklyn, NY); University of Miami (Miami, FL); and Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, NY).
Thomas L, Clarke T, & Kroliczak A. Implementation of Peer Support Demonstration Project for HIV+ Caribbean Immigrants: A Descriptive Paper. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 2008; 6 (4): 526 - 544. Publisher's Abstract
Rodriguez AE, Metsch LR, Saint-Jean G, Molina EG, & Kolber MA. Differences in HIV-Related Hospitalization Trends Between Haitian-Born Blacks and US-Born Blacks. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, August 15, 2007; 45 (5): 529-534. PubMed Abstract.