Making waves: Systems change on behalf of youth with HIV/AIDS

Geri Botwinick, Douglas Bell, Robert L. Johnson, Randall L. Sell, Lawrence B. Friedman, Sally Dodds, Kimberly Shaw, Jaime Martinez, Carl Siciliano, Lynn E. Walker, Jo L. Sotheran

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To document the effects of five Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS), funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), on HIV care, related service systems, policy, planning, and funding for youth with HIV/AIDS. Methods: Literature on services and systems integration and technology transfer is used as a conceptual framework for the examination of HIV-informed, youth-specific changes at the local, state, and national levels. The Principal Investigators for each project and/or the Project Evaluators were interviewed several times to capture "snapshots" of evolving results from the Projects' varied activities in New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Chicago; and Miami. Some changes were consciously targeted, and others occurred serendipitously. This work covers the funding period from 1996 through 2000. Results and Conclusions: There were many "ripple" effects that emanated from these Projects' presence and activities. Important lessons were learned about why systems change is necessary to effectively serve youth with HIV, how to make constructive changes happen, and how to sustain changes once they are achieved. Successful strategies included, but were not limited to, consensus-building among stakeholders, participatory planning and decision-making, collaborative referral and linkage agreements, staff sharing, co-locating services, providing technical assistance, consultation, cross-training, and engaging consumers as partners in communicating new technologies and in advocating for change.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)46-54
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Adolescent Health
Volume33
Issue number2 SUPPL. 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2003

Keywords

  • Adolescent HIV care
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Systems advocacy
  • Systems change

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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