The strategies included:

• Recruiting, training, and placing 6-8 community health workers (CHWs) at clinical and community-based host sites across the EMA;
• Interconnecting with IPHI’s existing CHW initiatives in D.C., Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County to create an integrated regional system;
• Concentrating new CHWs in areas with unmet needs, unique barriers to care, and limited existing EIS resources;
• Creating a broad regional network of providers; and
• Integrating group-based psychosocial support and transportation services in strategic locations and for key populations.

WeConnect CHWs are currently placed at the following sites across the EMA:

• MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
• Us Helping Us in Washington, D.C.
• Prince George’s County Hospital – Glenridge Clinic (Dimensions Hospital System)
• Prince George’s County Health Department, Maryland
• Montgomery County Health Department, Maryland
• AIDS Response Effort serving Northwest Virginia and West Virginia
• Shenandoah Community Health in Martinsburg, West Virginia

In addition, psychosocial services through CHW-facilitated psychosocial support groups will be offered at:

• La Clínica Del Pueblo, Washington D.C.
• Us Helping Us, Washington D.C.
• Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Virginia
• Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services, Virginia
• Shenandoah Community Health, West Virginia

Evaluation

IPHI evaluates these projects, and analysis captures the process and client-level outcomes for these initiatives. By integrating this new project into IPHI’s existing HIV linkage and retention in care activities, IPHI is leading a regional EIS system that includes over 30 CHWs covering nearly every jurisdiction in EMA.