| Programs for Women and Family |
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Services for HIV Positive Pregnant Women ``` The Perinatal HIV Transmission Prevention Initiative integrates HIV services in prenatal care settings by: (1) increasing awareness of perinatal HIV transmission in the Philadelphia metropolitan area; (2) increasing pre-conceptual HIV counseling and testing among all women of childbearing age; (3) integrating reproductive health and HIV care services for HIV positive women to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies and perinatal HIV transmission; and (4) ensuring the implementation of care standards in women-serving settings. This model of service provides women with the following resources: `` Intensive Perinatal Case Management: Specialized case managers offer an assessment of each woman’s changing physical, emotional, and social needs, and serve as brokers to help them secure resources. According to needs assessment protocol, a Case Management Assistant may also be assigned to assist in the home with tasks of daily living, medication adherence and disclosure. The Circle of Care's Intensive Perinatal Case Management program includes an average of 98 HIV+ pregnant women. Circle of Care funds ActionAIDS and the Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice for the provision of these comprehensive services. `` Integrated Reproductive Health Services: Reproductive Health Services are integrated into the HIV+ women's clinical care. These services include routine gynecologic care, pap smears, colposcopy and access various birth control methods. ``` Rapid Testing: Assisting hospitals implement rapid testing in labor and delivery for pregnant women whose HIV status is unknown at delivery and implementing the CDC recommended protocols for treatment of those found to be positive. The training and continuing education of medical providers is done through collaboration with the PA/Mid Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center. Circle of Care’s Peer Counselors provide supportive services to newly diagnosed HIV + pregnant women and postpartum HIV+ women and their exposed infants through referral from hospital staff. ``` Peer Education/Counseling: HIV-positive women, who are trained peer counselors, provide outreach and follow-up support to pregnant HIV-positive women at the specialty clinics. Peer Counselors disseminate brochures, pamphlets, and leaflets to enhance consumer understanding of HIV and pregnancy, perinatal transmission risks, and the importance of women staying in care. Peer counselors focus on the importance of ‘staying in care’, working intensively with HIV+ pregnant women to ensure 100% adherence to medical regimens during pregnancy. Peers provide HIV education and emotional support to HIV + pregnant and newly delivered clients, and are important in not only securing the bond between the woman and the entire specialty prenatal care team, but also linking clients into the larger Circle of Care network after delivery. ``` Educational Services: Consumer baby showers are held for pregnant, HIV positive women. For many women this is the only baby shower they have ever had. Social activities provide an additional format for educational presentations. Mothers receive the newest information about medication adherence, HIV prevention, well baby care, and childhood diseases. ``` Social Supports: HIV positive consumers and their support systems are eligible for transportation assistance, childcare services, and access to basic needs funds, as well as a monthly support group facilitated by the Circle of Care. Consumers are provided with ongoing educational opportunities focusing on the importance of regular healthcare appointments (primary practitioner, Ob-GYN) and HIV screening for women of childbearing age to increase positive health outcomes and decrease the number of infants exposed to HIV. ``` Fund for Families (FFF)The Fund for Families is a source of support for families affected by HIV in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. These funds provide short-term emergency and non-emergency assistance in the form of subsidies and grants. Assistance via these funds is never transacted in cash; checks are issued to the company who will provide, or has provided, the service. All requests must be submitted by the client's case manager. The Family Planning Council administers the Fund for Families through Circle of Care. Families receiving services through the Circle network must have demonstrated need: 90% on medical assistance, 5% are uninsured and 5% have private insurance. The Fund for Families exists to help these families meet basic needs: rent, gas or electric bills, moving expenses, a crib, shoes, new baby clothes, strollers, telephone bills, furniture - which includes beds, refrigerators, stoves, dressers and bedding. Circle of Care also assists families with burial costs - no other agency in the Philadelphia helps pay for this expense. Funding for this program is supported primarily by the W.W. Smith Foundation, from the proceeds of special events, and private donations. Contributions to the Fund for Families are tax deductible. For more information about the programs please contact: Marie A. Ranselle, BSN, RN Manager, Integrated HIV Services 215-985-6759 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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