The HOME Project (Health Options Mean Empowerment)

Olga Grinstead (PI), Angela Allen, Megan Comfort, Allison Futeral, Barbara Garcia, Kelly Knight, Kathleen McCartney, Tor Neilands, Christine Soriano (CAPS) Philippe Bourgois (Department of Anthropology, History, and Social Medicine, UCSF) Jolene Forman, Tara Regan, Barry Zack (Centerforce) Funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

HOME Research Questions Formative research: what are the HIV risks and needs that women with incarcerated male partners experience? Intervention Development: how can we address these risks and needs in a population-specific intervention? Evaluation: can the HOME intervention affect women’s knowledge, behavior, and/or attitudes regarding HIV risk?

The HOME Intervention February 2005-January 2006 Organized and facilitated community- building activities, presentations by Bay Area community agencies, and health- related outreach

The HOME Community Health Fair

The HOME Intervention 1-on-1 health education “Kitchen-table” style approaches Referrals to community agencies

The HOME Intervention Recruited and trained peer educators to provide HIV- education and outreach to other women visitors

Lessons Learned  Making intervention participation open to all helps to combat stigma and promote social support and connection Covering a broad scope of topics rather than focusing solely on stigma-laden issues keeps participants engaged

Lessons Learned “Meeting people where they’re at” is important – but once you’ve met them, don’t be afraid to ask more of them. Research participation can be an important form of intervention and outreach

Contact information Megan Comfort (415)