Day 5 Bringing It All Together

Setting Up Your 1st Meeting Page 129 Peer role: You are a peer advocate. A woman who has been diagnosed with HIV for several years is referred to you by a social worker. The social worker told you that the client is doing okay, but she is new to the area and feeling isolated. Client role: You are a woman who has been living with HIV for many years. Your health is okay and you are stable on medication. You just moved to the area and you told your new social worker that you are lonely. She referred you to what she called a “peer advocate.” You are unsure what a peer advocate is, but you are open to anything.

1 st Meeting Steps – page Introduce yourself and agency 2.Explain peer education. 3.Explain confidentiality. 4.Get verbal/written consent from client to begin helping her as a peer (page 128) 5.Ask open-ended questions about needs 6.Provide emotional support and find a way to connect. 7.Fill out necessary paperwork (page 127, ) 8.Set priorities or goals for next meeting. 9.Set up next meeting time (crucial!).

Things to Remember Own need for support from supervisors, co- workers and others. Self-care and personal reflection. You may not follow these steps in this order but make sure to cover all the steps.

Challenging Case Scenarios page Concerns for your client? 2.3 open-ended questions 3.Thoughts, concerns, or feelings for your clients? 4.Thoughts, concerns, or feeling for you as a peer? 5.Support and/or information could you offer 6.Action steps 7.Key referrals for this client?

Am I Ready To Be A Peer? Page 142, 143 –What do you see as the strengths of this plan? –What concerns do you have about this plan? –What suggestions can you make to strengthen this plan?

Now What???? Complete your resume (pg ) Talk to your providers about your participation in the Lotus Project Go to other HIV trainings in your area We will send you information on scholarships to upcoming conferences Start a support group in your area (pg 144) Stay in touch with other Lotus women Talk to women in your community!

Follow-up 6month and 1year follow-up questionnaires- will be mailed to you. Will try to have reunion meetings – information will be mailed. Follow-up calls with those who will be starting work as peers (voluntary) Follow-up calls with your clients (voluntary) Please call us if your information changes – Nitti

Closing