ATLAS PROGRAM: HIV TESTING AND LINKAGE IN THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY CORRECTIONS CENTERRachel Ciomcia, LISW-Project CoordinatorJenice Contreras, Director of Development

Care Alliance: Overview

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Primary populations:

Homeless Public Housing HIV/AIDS Uninsured/Underinsured

Services: Primary Health Care for All Ages Comprehensive Dental Care Substance Abuse & Mental Health Counseling Confidential HIV Testing, Treatment & Counseling 

2007: 7,500 Patients through over 25,000 Encounters

SPNS Grant: From Application to Award

Current status of HIV Testing in the jail setting

Established relationship/collaborations Increased testing opportunities

Cuyahoga County Corrections Center

CCCC holds about 1900 total inmates and is near capacity daily

About 80-100 bookings per day; Also release about 80-100 inmates per day

Holds all types of cases from misdemeanors to murder Many waiting for trial or will be moved to state prison, some

do serve out a sentence here Male and female inmates (about 200-300 female inmates on

average) On any given day, there are 20-30 known HIV positive inmates

in the general population (self-reported upon intake) HIV care is referred out to the community; however jail

medical staff does manage medication regimens and daily needs

ATLAS Program

Assess, Test, Link: Achieve Success Program consists of HIV testing and linkage to care through case

management HIV Testing

HIV testing offered Monday thru Friday, 8:30am-12pm during the men’s health assessment and to all general intake pods

Rapid Test-10 minute processing time Post test counseling occurs with each inmate, also-inmates will be

approached to complete a survey of HIV knowledge and risky behaviors Positive tests are referred to the Corrections medical staff for a blood

draw to run a Western-blot for confirmation, also referred to linkage program

Goal is to test 200 inmates per month-meeting goal at this time Currently completing about 10-15 tests per day, averaging about 10-

20% acceptance rate from total population offered test per day At this time, working on program for the female population-harder to

access

ATLAS Program

Linkage to Care Once an inmate is identified as HIV Positive, a referral to

ATLAS Interventionist is made Interventionist will meet with each inmate individually

to discuss program-if inmate agrees to participate then an intake is completed, which includes baseline assessment.

Based on assessment during intake, a release plan is created. All referrals for medical care and needed community services are coordinated. Ongoing, regular contact occurs while inmate incarcerated to address all needs as they arise during stay.

Once inmate released, Interventionist will meet with inmate at regular follow up periods for one year post release for assessment of inmate’s retention and perception of care.

Will also incorporate multi-site evaluation

Special Considerations

Working in corrections environment raises special considerations Confidentiality Release planning with unknown release dates Providing information/documentation to inmates Work space Medications Effects of Corrections Officers on participation Networking with the community