Prevention & Education

Community Outreach

Outreach is a community-level intervention on the streets and/or in community settings. CARES conducts in-depth assessments of communities including high-risk areas, current services, locations where high-risk individuals congregate, and connects with residents. We have found that many people are not aware of resources in the community that can improve their quality of life. We tell people about resources in their community and make referrals to those resources.

Goals

• To develop relationships with target areas’ residents/visitors and provide information and referrals that promote healthy behaviors and reduce risk for acquiring/transmitting HIV/STDs.
• To connect residents to agencies that provide services they need.
• To collaborate with HIV providers and other social service agencies to establish holistic referral networks

CARES conducts Outreach during non-traditional hours (after 3 p.m.) in areas that have high HIV/STD prevalence because that is the best time and place to interact with residents and visitors. CARES provides prevention literature and materials and referrals to community resources, such as HIV/STD testing and social service support. One of Acadiana’s greatest healthcare challenges is disparities in care and Outreach brings people into care.