The SMART Approach Sisterhood Mobilized for AIDS/HIV Research & Treatment SMART University was founded in 1998 in East Harlem by women living with HIV/AIDS. We are still the only community-based treatment, health and prevention education, service and advocacy organization run by and for women living with HIV/AIDS in New York City. Susan Rodriguez, Founding Director Janet Cameron, Program Director Samantha Clare, Project Manager Yolanda Diaz, Program Coordinator Christina Rodriguez, SMART Youth Co-Founder

Snapshot of SMART SMART Participants;  95% of participants are women and youth of color  Nearly 80% of women are living with HIV/AIDS  Long-term survivors and newly diagnosed women participate in SMART  The majority are low-income The Mission of SMART is to provide treatment education and support for women and youth living with/affected by HIV/AIDS to increase their self- confidence, help restore control in their lives, and enable them to become informed participants in their treatment decision-making process.

Participants emerge with a “SMARTer” approach to life. Goals of SMART for Participants: To promote and support independent functioning, reduce isolation, and maintain optimum health status; To educate policymakers, public officials, and health and human service providers about their issues and concerns; and, To advocate for changes in policy and programs which are more responsive to the needs of women and youth living with/affected by HIV/AIDS.

SMART’s Programs All of our programs are based on a realistic and practical design that are developed with significant participant input. SMART University (core) runs for 24 weeks, and divided into 8- week trimesters (Fall, Winter, Spring). The curriculum has a holistic approach that views women as a whole: mind, body and spirit. SMART’s “A-B-C” programs (Art, Body, and Computer) are available for Participants of SMART University. SMART Action and Outreach are opportunities for Participants to engage with the community and improve advocacy skills.

SMART’s Programs Cont. SMART Youth is a leadership and independent living skills program for youth ages 13-22, led by youth. Founded in 2005 by children of SMART women. Goal: To provide accurate and engaging sexual health information for all youth in NYC.

Community at SMART Our “virtual” community of peers is key to our ability to reach and retain difficult-to-reach isolated women with HIV. We provide a safe, supportive environment to reduce isolation and break down the barriers that are detrimental to care. Participants become engaged, find their voice and realize they are strong, capable and competent and become partners with their medical providers.

Key Successes SMART’s Impact Survey and Focus Groups provide evaluation data regarding our two main objectives Objective 1: Increase Participants’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS treatment and health education. Example: One woman directly connects a SMART University class with her motivation to achieve medication adherence: “One of the presenters here helped me with medication. I wasn’t taking them as prescribed, but I learned how important it was and I started to take them as prescribed.” 100% of the women living with HIV surveyed stated that they were knowledgeable of their viral load number and CD4 count and they had attended a medical appointment within the last three months.

Key Successes (cont.) Objective 2: Increase Participants’ health literacy. Premise: As a result of increasing a participant’s health literacy, she is a better advocate for her own medical care and she is a better resource for her family and greater community. 100% of participants involved in SMART’s Impact Survey stated that they “strongly agree” or “agree” that since coming to SMART they are able to discuss their care with a health care provider and feel they are better able to make health care decisions for themselves and their families. Example: One woman stated that at SMART she know she will “learn to dispel myths and learn accurate information.” This enables her to share that information confidently with others. Learning about nutrition and healthy eating was a common theme from both the focus group and the Impact Survey because HIV was not the only health concern for the women.

Challenges: Purely Economics Developing new funding streams is a major challenge in this economic environment for small-staffed agency. We get “creative” as we continue to provide amazing and innovative programs for our Participants. Increased collaborations assist in maintaining our excellent quality of programs. Participant involvement and volunteerism (day-to-day operations and in program development) is our strength: Deans; assist staff with community meals on program days; and support staff in a variety of administrative and outreach tasks to ensure smooth operations. We used our creativity to reduce costs for our celebrations and special events such as participants cooking the food for our Thanksgiving Day meal.

Participant Feedback Fuels Evolutionary Growth This year SMART has gained new insight to provide excellent programs by listening and responding to the changing needs of our participants: SMART University established a specific curriculum within the 24-week process to deliberately and sequentially address the different themes and topics identified by participants within each trimester resulting in a “better flow.” As SMART Body’s attendance has grown over the last two years, SMART responded by creating a Mentor position for long-time participants. SMART Body responded to the current recession with specific classes for healthy living on a budget. On an organizational level, this year a Peer Advisory Committee (PAC) of 8 women met monthly to provide insight and feed-back on both the program process and outcomes. The Chairperson of the PAC is an ex officio member of SMART’s Board of Directors and reports monthly.

Evolutionary Chart Summary 1998 Structure based on WORLD’s HIV University model. Curriculum: Feedback from initial focus group = first “participants.” Grassroots, informal project led by women living with HIV/AIDS. “Shoestring” budget <$5K annually Structure of SMART Univ. updated but resembles early model. Curriculum: Peer-driven through formalized & documented feedback. Maintains a “grassroots” feel and still led by HIV- positive women. Small annual budget $300K.

SMART Contact Info. Facebook: SMART Youth SMART Office: Address: W. 38 th Street, Suite 601, New York, NY Susan Rodriguez: (917)