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Hetrick-Martin Institute, Inc.
2 Astor Place New York City, NY 10003
(212) 674-2600 (Phone)
(212) 674-0900 (Fax)

Hetrick Martin Institute (HMI) is the nation's first, oldest, and largest agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 12-21 from more than 200 zip codes across the New York City area and beyond. It is HMI's mission to reduce the severe disparities faced by LGBTQ youth through a catalogue of positive programming that reinforces self-esteem, working with youth as they develop into adults and assisting them in transitioning into the world at large as healthy, productive individuals.

Joining Forces Initiative
$247,874
Thomas Krever
(212) 674-2600 x260
tkrever@hmi.org

Abstract

The purpose of the Joining Forces Initiative (JFI) is to deliver a unique peer outreach and education program with the goal of reducing HIV testing and treatment disparities among LGBTQ youth ages 12-24 throughout the New York City metropolitan area and the larger New York State Tristate area. JFI also hopes to build community capacity and infrastructure, improve and promote behavioral modification and increase knowledge of serostatus among LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth face extreme disparities, which puts them at a greater risk for HIV/AIDS. The initiative would target LGBTQ youth ages 12-21 in the NYC metropolitan area. They plan to implement the following strategies/practices or interventions: build community networks, educate high-risk populations, and expand HIV testing and counseling services. A Peer Education program will be set up that involves recruiting Peer Ed Interns, who will serve as mentors to the younger clients. The initiative also involves creating animated vignettes for displaying them at workshops and online, and engaging youth members from workshops in follow-up testing via text messaging. In addition, the initiative will establish a network of organizations to support and increase access to safer- sex information, HIV testing and counseling, and AIDS treatment. JFI will also work with their partners and peer educators to identify high-risk youth and develop implementation strategies to improve knowledge about HIV/STI prevention and protective behaviors. The initiative expects outcomes will show an:

• Increase the number of organizations that provide instant access to HIV/AIDS information,
• Increase the number of community organizations with integrated service provision,
• Increase general knowledge of risk behavior and HIV/AIDS among youth participating in workshops and
• Increase HIV and STI testing and increase knowledge of serostatus.

OMH objective(s) toward which the project's results most contribute:

• Increased awareness, education, and outreach to address racial/ethnic minority health and health disparities problems
• Improved access to, and appropriate utilization of, health and other community-based services and systems through user-centered design for racial/ethnic minorities (e.g., health IT, culturally/ linguistically appropriate services, service provider education/ training, workforce diversity)
• Strengthened leadership and coordination to leverage resources and enhance effectiveness and efficiency of individual and collective efforts (including, but not limited to, research and data)