Claudia Medina, MD, MHA, MPH, Health Education Supervisor, FACES/CARITAS, 3308 Tulane Avenue, Suite 600, New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-821-4611, claudiamedina2@yahoo.com and Maria Ludwick, MPH, Evaluation Coordinator, FACES, 3308 Tulane Avenue., Suite 600, New Orleans, LA 70119.

FACES is a social service program for HIV-positive women, children, youth and affected families. Following the success of the first small group interventions carried out in 2002, FACES decided to create similar types of groups targeting different aspects of HIV prevention education for HIV-positive women.

AYA a Afro centric curriculum includes the initiation and maintenance of healthy behaviors, increases knowledge and understanding of the disease process, identifies self defeating attitudes and behaviors, improves self-esteem and self-awareness, enhances communication skills, and teach about decision making about social and sexual behavior.

“Knowledge is Power” offer open discussions on HIV related topics, tailored to meet the needs of each unique group. The participatory approach is designed to enhance participants’ knowledge and awareness of specific HIV issues affecting clients. . Beginning A Better Year (BABY), recruits and unites HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers to help them achieve optimal health for themselves and their infants. The program is designed to create awareness of mother to child HIV transmission, and general wellness strategies.

The T.R.E.A.T (Therapeutic Regimens Enhancing Adherence in Teens) program was adapted by FACES. The goal of this program is to change attitudes and behaviors about HIV/AIDS treatment and, to help determine a regimen that fits the client’s lifestyle.

The objective of the Health Education department is to encourage FACES HIV-positive women to make conscious and responsible lifestyle decisions that will enhance their quality of life through use of increased knowledge and empowerment skills.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need of Secondary Prevention for HIV programs.
• Identify the benefits of small group intervention for HIV programs.
• Create interventions focusing on the needs of the clients.
• Apply especific methodology when developing interventions for HIV programs.
• Evaluate the outcomes of the interventions.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.