“Peer Support is an individual- and group-level intervention strategy that can be implemented with patients who are either ART-experienced or ART-naïve. Patients who are HIV-positive, taking ART medicines and adherent to their treatment are trained to serve as “peers”. Peers provide medication-related social support through group meetings and weekly individual telephone calls. Group meetings are led by peers, who are supervised by agency/clinic program staff. The group meetings are designed to give patients an opportunity to engage face-to-face with their assigned peer, meet other peers and patients who are taking ART medications and share experiences with the group. Whereas, the weekly individual peer phone calls provide more in-depth personal attention and feedback to answer any questions the patient may have felt uncomfortable asking during group meetings. Group discussions focus on identifying barriers to ART adherence and problem-solving strategies to overcome barriers. Group meetings may also focus on life issues that may affect adherence, including disclosure, romantic relationships, substance use, and mental health issues. Based on issues identified by group members, peers may work with program staff to schedule speakers (e.g., nutritionist) to present during group sessions. – CDC”
“We believe that HIV can be a managed illness. No one is more qualified to help than people who are triumphing over similar circumstances. You see, just as we give support, we find support. If we can share our hopes and fears, we can manage our lives in ways we never thought possible.”
The peer program connects clients with staff members who are also living with HIV. The goal of the peer program is to empower clients and affected others through education and emotional support. Sometimes just being able to talk to someone else who is HIV+ can make all the difference, with the goal of fostering self-efficacy.
It is our belief that individuals who actively participate in their own care experience an
enhanced quality of life.
Peer program services include:
- One-on-one information/support sessions
- Referral and follow up
- Outreach to the newly diagnosed
- Educational seminars
- Medication information/ adherence
- Panel discussions
- Speaker’s Bureau
- Activity groups