Abstract
| Provides substance abuse treatment services for 40 Native Americans who are dually afflicted with substance addiction and HIV/AIDS, Hepetitis C, or are at very high risk of contracting these diseases. |
Objectives
1. Continue marketing the program and available services; 2. Perform outreach activities to 5 urban areas with emphasis on client recruitment and agency relationship building; 3. Provide effective, culturally appropriate substance abuse treatment to at least 40 clients; 4. Ensure that at least 75% of the patient population successfully completes the treatment program and 50% maintain a drug free lifestyle with safe sexual practices for at least one year following treatment; 5. Provide training on culturally appropriate substance abuse treatment for HIV/AIDS clients to tribes/tribal organizations/health entities;substance abuse programs; 6. Improve general well being, self-efficacy, support, mental and physical health status and family functioning of 40 HIV/AIDS/HVC infected clients or those at high risk of contracting these diseases; 7. Provide culturally appropriate case management for 40 clients; 8. Serve as an edcuational source on these diseases to public audiences within 100 miles, conducting community education sessions at identified sites.
Indian Nation Served
Open to individuals from all federally recognized tribes
Key Components
Thunder Child utilizes traditionally accepted treatment modalities in combination with Native American cultural and spiritual healing methods. Clients reside at the facility for 57 days. They undergo intensive group therapy and individual counseling sessions. They receive harm reduction education. Aftercare is available at the facility. Thunder Child also has an outreach component and harm reduction packets are distriuted. HIV testing is offered.
Evaluation Design
Have an independent outside evaluator who evaluates clients’ completion of their objectives through exit interviews with clients. Also includes interviews with staff and with referring agencies.
Evaluation Results
Have an independent outside evaluator who evaluates clients’ completion of their objectives through exit interviews with clients. Also includes interviews with staff and with referring agencies.
Products Developed
With on-site technical assistance from the Native American HIV/AIDS Prevention Center (Oakland, CA), developed a Harm Reduction Curriculum to be used to design materials, write grants, and so on.