In order to support the community’s people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and STIs, CAPCO has established Project CHANGE (Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Negotiating: Growth and Empowerment) under the N.J. Department of Health’s Division of HIV/AIDS, STD, and TB Services. Project CHANGE offers various interventions for persons whose behavior places them at risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis, and tuberculosis (TB). All interventions are tailored to the individuals & groups culture, readiness and willingness to address their challenges to prevention practices. The program includes, but is not limited to, the following prevention strategies:

        • The Street and Community Outreach (SCO) program provides street outreach and community education presentations to high-risk areas.
        • The Health Education / Risk Reduction (HE/RR) program is provided in both individual and groups settings. It is an interactive, engaging form of education to reduce the risk of transmission or acquisition of HIV, STIs, Hepatitis and/or TB. The program offers a stress-reducing environment for individuals to share their experience and to learn from the experience of others.
        • Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) offers one-on-one attention to assist individuals manage complex life issues, which may include:
            • decision-making that reduces the risk of transmission or acquisition,
            • developing safer sex practices, negotiation and refusal skills,
            • using sensuality products,
            • building and maintaining healthy relationships,
            • navigating through stigma, and
            • struggling with disclosure to family, friends, sex partners, or needle-sharing partners.
        • Our Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a frontline public health worker as well as a trusted member of the community which they serve by linking community members living with HIV to various medical and social support services.
        • Project STEPP (Stopping Transmission through Education and Prevention Practices) is a project falling underneath Project CHANGE which focuses on other STIs outside of HIV. This program serves individuals diagnosed with or exposed to syphilis and other STIs in Bergen and Passaic Counties by: linking them to medical treatment; providing them risk reduction education; contact tracing and partner notification for those who have been exposed. This program helps to reduce the spread of STIs throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties.

Project CHANGE currently delivers its variety of services

        • on the streets,
        • at schools
        • in housing developments,
        • through community-based organizations, and
        • through hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers.

As with all other programs under CAPCO’s case management services, Project CHANGE programs offer non-judgmental and client-centered attention. Our Prevention Team Leader would like to emphasize:

We understand that change is a process, not an event!

Schedule an appointment with the CAPCO office in order to assess your present situation: one of our case managers can help determine if Project CHANGE offers the support you need.

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