Rather than having the hospital be the sole place to seek medical assistance, why not have the church and medical services team up? Reverend Kenneth Reed has already taken a step in helping stop AIDS in the community, but why not take it another step further? In 2003, the Chicago House and Social Service Agency set up a program which emphasized risk reduction, self-care, adhering to treatments, and disclosure of HIV status to others. The program, CHOICE (Chicago House Outreach for Illness, Care, and Education) was a huge success. The HIV client would sit down with a case manager and would initially go over his/her self-knowledge about the disease. Then, they would collaborate on a risk reduction behavior plan, which would include self-specific goals as related to the areas of risk each individual might have. Once the plan was in place, the manager and client would create a step-by-step approach on how they would meet these assessed goals. Every three months following the client would check in with their case manager to assess their progress and effectiveness of their plan. While some staff with the program initially felt the program further stigmatized the HIV positive individuals as those to blame for the spread of the disease, and not those who were seronegative with risky behavior, it was concluded that the focus of the group would be on the clients wellness being preserved from reducing risky behavior. Upon the initial sample size of 94 HIV positive individuals who took part in the program, 60 clients had follow up data, and of those 68% reported that work towards their initial goals were ongoing. Less than 2% found there was no progress towards their goal (Mitchell).
With the involvement of the church in the black community, a program similar to CHOICE could be established between Temple Gospel Church of God and Crouse Hospital, literally right across the street from Pioneer Homes. Temple Gospel could employ their own client managers, either from their congregation or from elsewhere, administer their own training, and promote this program straight from inside the church. As far as stigmatization goes, it would be much easier for a client to be seen walking into a church then walking into the hospital. With regards to transportation from the church to the hospital, one could choose to walk or a shuttle service could be put in place to avoid being seen walking to Crouse Hospital. Once an individual’s medical needs were assessed, the program could help establish a link between the client and DAC, or the Designated AIDS Center in Crouse Hospital (Rees).
Once these individuals realize that those client managers helping them are their friends and fellow church members, it would be hopeful that these HIV infected individuals would become more comfortable with their condition, less worried regarding stigmatization, and set an example for those hesitant about seeking help. This program seems feasible as far as transportation and financial concerns go, and would be more successful than if a similar program was instituted in a newly built building with unfamiliar client managers. Reverend Reed seems like the type of person who is proactive and genuinely cares about the community which he serves, and would be both excited and motivated to institute such a program.
Picture Taken From: http://www.upstate.edu/cei/services.php