SPNS/Fax: An Electronic Report from HRSA/HAB's SPNS Cooperative Agreements:
Volume 1, Issue 13 (October 4, 1996)

Information dissemination from 27 Innovative Models of HIV Care projects funded as Special Projects of National Significance by the HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Introduction

Welcome to SPNS/Fax: An Electronic Report from HRSA/HAB's SPNS Cooperative Agreements. In each issue of SPNS/Fax, we will highlight findings from the HRSA Special Projects of National Significance Program Cooperative Agreements. The projects have been funded to develop innovative models of HIV/AIDS care. SPNS/Fax reports are distributed every two weeks by fax machine to all subscribers. All issues of SPNS/Fax are also available at this Web site. Due to slight differences in the media, issues distributed by fax machine may appear slightly different from those posted on this Web site, but the content is identical.

Indiana Community AIDS Action Network Targets Discriminatory Barriers Faced by PWAs

The Indiana Community AIDS Action Network (ICAAN) combines consumer outreach, direct legal services, capacity building, discrimination prevention and public policy advocacy to assist persons with HIV and affected others in receiving a full range of health and human services. The program promotes non-discrimination in employment, care, housing and other social services through prevention education and individual and public policy advocacy. The program's success depends on continual development and enhancement of relationships with policy makers, providers and representatives of the various HIV-impacted populations. The provision of direct legal services to persons alleging HIV discrimination permits ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of legal remedies in a "real life" setting, thus enhancing the opportunity for modification of laws, regulations, and/or policies truly relevant to those experiencing discrimination.

ICAAN has expanded legal services for those experiencing HIV discrimination in Indiana. Since July 1995, the program has provided direct legal assistance to 124 individuals. The program has been successful in reaching its target population: most individuals were male (85.8%) and Caucasian (82.5%), and a significant portion of the clients were unable to work due to disability (51.7%). 71.8 percent of the male clients identified their sexual orientation as gay, and an additional 12.6% of males referred to themselves as bisexual. The number of times these clients were seen by the program ranged from 1 to 65, with an average (median) number of 2 visits.

The table displays the status of the legal disputes for which clients received direct legal services. Client-related resolution refers to such outcomes as the clients' opting not to pursue legal action, the client resolving the problem on his/her own, the client moving out of the area, or the clients' failing to stay in contact with the program. Non-litigated program resolution refers to case outcomes that were resolved by letter, phone call(s), through mediation/arbitration, or through negotiation. The program has been effective in achieving case resolution, with only 29.8% of the clients' cases still pending.

In addition to direct legal services, ICAAN has provided 72 training sessions since October 1994, which have directly reached 2,264 individuals throughout Indiana. The body of training participants has been extremely diverse, reflecting the far reaching impact of the program. Service recipients (PWAs) participated in 56.9% of the training sessions; social service providers participated in 52.8% of the sessions; advocates/attorneys participated in 27.8% of the sessions; case managers participated in 23.6% of the sessions; teachers/educational leaders participated in 19.4% of the sessions, and grass roots organizations participated in 15.3% of the sessions. The trainings focused on legal issues and education other than advocacy (54.2%), client advocacy (45.8%), policy advocacy (44.4%), and the teaching of methods and skills (37.5%).

ICAAN has created a valuable resource for people with HIV entitled, A Legal Handbook for Persons Living with HIV Disease in Indiana, 2nd ed. Topics covered include a medical overview, testing for HIV, confidentiality issues, rights to medical care, paying for medical care, consumer and credit issues, employment, disability, housing, organizing affairs, special groups, and family issues. The handbook is distributed by the program in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Legal Project.

For more information about the program and its resources, contact Paul Chase, J.D. at 3951 N. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.

SPNS/Fax is produced by The Measurement Group–PROTOTYPES Evaluation and Dissemination Center (EDC). Editorial comments should be made to The Measurement Group at 5811A Uplander Way, Culver City, California 90230, 310.216.1051, 310.670.7735 (fax).
 

Back to SPNS/Fax Directory

© Copyright 1996-2005 by The Measurement Group LLC. All rights reserved.