Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #99844

Paul A. Moore, MSW, EPICC, Inc., c/o PBCHD, 301 Broadway, Riviera Beach, FL 33406, 561-882-3102, Paul_Moore@doh.state.fl.us

Issues: Thirty-nine percent (39%) of all Adult HIV cases (regardless of AIDS status) in Coastal Palm Beach County are aged 13 – 29. Several agencies target adolescents and young adults for HIV/AIDS prevention activities, however, no coordinated plan for reducing HIV/AIDS incidence in this population exists. Description: The recently implemented EPICC Program is a collaborative, community-wide effort to integrate HIV/AIDS Education, Prevention, Intervention and Continuous Care activities. One of the first activities of the EPICC Program was the establishment of a Youth Project Task Force (YPTF). Representatives of over 20 agencies have adopted a vision of a Palm Beach County with no new HIV infections in the 12 - 24 year old population. The strategic plan for the YPTF includes: conducting an assessment of youth programs and their HIV/AIDS content in order to identify gaps in service and duplication of effort; developing intervention strategies to close the gaps and to eliminate duplication of effort; and, providing Technical Assistance to secure funding and other resources to implement the intervention strategies. Lessons Learned: Many agencies, including some not usually associated with HIV/AIDS, play an important role in creating a more comprehensive and efficient prevention system. Recommendations: The YPTF eventually wants to move from prevention activities to ensuring access to counseling and testing services, medical care and psychosocial services for the target population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to

• Describe a conty-wide assessment of youth prevention programs.
• Identify strategies to remedy gaps in prevention (sub-populations missed or topics not covered)and to reduce duplication/overlap.
• Articulate a methodology for long-term evaluation of a youth prevention project.

Keywords: HMOs, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.