Implementation of the North Carolina HIV Bridge Counseling Program to Facilitate Linkage and Reengagement in Care for...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• HIV/AIDS Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The National HIV/AIDS Strategy necessitates effective statewide interventions.
• The North Carolina Division of Public Health established the State Bridge Counselor program in 2012.
• The program aims to improve care linkage and reengagement for individuals diagnosed with or living with HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the planning and implementation of the North Carolina State Bridge Counselor program.
• To assess the program's effectiveness in linking individuals to HIV care and reengaging those out-of-care.
• To understand the strategies used for program development and service delivery.

Main Methods:

• Review of strengths-based counseling models for persons living with HIV.
• Delineation of State Bridge Counselor responsibilities from Disease Intervention Specialists.
• Utilization of CAREWare software for referral documentation and data sharing.

Main Results:

• Extensive stakeholder planning and incorporation of strengths-based counseling were crucial.
• By late 2014, the program served 15% of newly diagnosed persons living with HIV quarterly.
• Increasing program utilization was observed, indicating growing effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• A statewide Bridge Counselor program can be implemented effectively.
• Leveraging existing infrastructures, electronic medical records, and HIV care networks is key.
• The program's success in urban and rural settings suggests broad applicability.