Project Title: Adolescent Early Intervention.

Grantee: University of Minnesota Youth and AIDS Projects (YAP)

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Telephone 612.627.6820; Fax 612.627.6819

Project Director: Gary Remafedi, M.D., M.P.H.

Category: (A); Access to Services for Adolescents with HIV/AIDS.

Adolescents Targeted: All 13-22 year-old HIV-seropositive (+) youth reported to the Minnesota Department of Health.

Problem Statement: Prior research suggests that the survival of HIV+ adolescents may be abbreviated by delays in health care delivery.

Purpose: To study the feasibility of public health disease intervention strategies to link HIV+ adolescents with care.

Model: The conceptual framework is a novel application of standard public health disease surveillance strategies to assure the provision of early intervention services to HIV+ youth.

Service Goals: (1) Provide outreach and comprehensive, coordinated, and family-centered care to all Minnesota Youth with HIV. (2) Encourage other local, state, and national agencies to expand efforts to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to HIV-seropositive adolescents and their families.

Methods: Youth with HIV infection will be identified through the existing system of mandatory, name-linked reporting of HIV cases to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Subsequently, the MDH will dispatch an Adolescent Early Intervention Specialist to assess health care needs and to link youths with comprehensive care at YAP.

Prior Accomplishments: Of the first 46 eligible participants, 55% successfully completed referrals to YAP, 24% refused contact with the AEIS, 11% were unlocatable, 4% refused referral to clinical services, 4% were referred elsewhere, and 2% did not complete the referral to YAP. Compared to pre-intervention levels, the interim findings reflect a 79% increase (P<.05) in the overall percentage of participants receiving case management services after the implementation of the SPNS (from 33% to 59%).

Continuation Activities: No major changes in the model and activities are anticipated in the next two years.

Evaluation Design: Before-after trial. Use of case management services after implementation of the program will be compared to pre-intervention levels. Evaluative data will be used to promote replication in other localities and with other underserved populations.

Dissemination Plan: Local and national conferences, production of a monograph and supplement to Journal of Adolescent Health, and scientific abstracts and manuscripts.