A Multicultural Approach to HIV Prevention within a Residential Chemical Dependency Treatment Program: The Positive Steps Program

Abstract

Positive Steps is a six month residential program in southeastern Los Angeles County. The program seeks to assist residents in recovery from chemical dependency and to prevent sexual and other risk factors which promote HIV transmission. Positive Steps serves a multicultural population of women and transgender male to female. Program participants are allowed to bring up to two children with them in residence. Motivational interviewing serves as the foundation for chemical dependency treatment and HIV transmission risk reduction. Positive Steps also provides intensive group education. Individual counseling with a licensed mental health professional is provided for HIV Positive residents. External evaluation of the program involves a comprehensive assessment at baseline, six months post-baseline, and follow up. Program outcomes include statistically significant reductions in substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and symptoms of mental distress.

KEYWORDS:

• Multicultural programming
• sexual risk behaviors
• substance use
• mental health

Notes

Evaluation efforts described in this article are supported through funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants #H79 TI15805 and #6P79 TI14480.

The authors would like to thank Southern California Alcohol and Drug Programs and the staff of the Positive Steps program. In particular, Lynne Appel, Executive Director, Lisa Markell, Director of Development, and Donald Price, the Program Director. The evaluation of the Positive Steps program would not have been made possible if not for the tireless efforts of Tabatha Oulette and Angie Thexton. The countless hours spent locating and assessing former residents has allowed EMT Associates to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program.

This project was carried out with funding from a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment grant from the Targeted Capacity Expansion Program for Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services (TCE/HIV). The views and opinions contained in the publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and should not be construed as such.