Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

From taking care of ourselves to taking care of each other: Engagement of immigrant, refugee, non-status PHAs and those from racialized communities as treatment

advocates, caregivers, and service-providers

Maureen OwinoCommittee for Accessible AIDS Treatment

&Ethno racial Treatment Support Network

Toronto, Canada

July 25, 2012 Washington, D.C

www.hivimmigration.ca

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Acknowledgement• ETSN Graduates and co-facilitators• Funding Partners(past and present):

– ACAP, Public Health Agency of Canada (Ontario Region)– AIDS Bureau, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term

Care– Ontario Treatment Support NetworkProgram Sponsorship:

• Gold Sponsors: – GSK Shire BioChem, – Tibotec

• Silver Sponsors: – Abbott, – Boehringer Ingelheim,– Bristol-Myers Squibb, – Gilead

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Who we are?• CAAT - ETSN: Ethno-racial Treatment Support

Network’s peer treatment counselling training program.

• ETSN is a two level intensive 8 day skill building program

• The program provides capacity building for PHAs in areas of treatment literacy, health promotion skills and peer counselling and support skills.

• It is a partnership project amongst ACAS, APAA, BCAP, CAAT, CSSP, ASAAP and CATIE and a community partner (ABRPO)

www.hivimmigration.ca www.treathivglobally.ca

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

How we came together?

• Need for increased peer based treatment education/support for smaller/marginalized communities that lack support resources;

• Interest from community members to improve treatment literacy and peer support skills“

www.hivimmigration.ca

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

How ETSN-Peer Based Training was developed• Started with a main focus on translating

Treatment information in different languages

• Surveys, focus groups and program evaluations identified immerging learning needs among training participants

• A pilot project was first conducted in 2003 targeting over 17 diverse PHA & service providers www.hivimmigration.ca

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

components ETSN-Peer Based Training works• continued and progressive structured

training on facilitation and presentation skills,

• pre- and post- practice debriefing sessions

• group reflective learning involving peer graduates facilitators/presenters

• A group of core trainers made up of both PHA and non-PHAs.

www.hivimmigration.ca

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Learning and Helping Out : Curriculum Structure

Helping Ourselves; 4 full days covers:a) treatment literacy andb) effective communicationc) service advocacy skills

Level 2: Helping Each Other 4 full days covers:d) in-depth treatment

related issues ande) peer counseling and

support skills.

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

What have we done? Cont’d...

• Model of progressive engagement of peers who are trained through the program

• Structured mentorship and resources to support peers to take on progressive leadership roles

• Curriculum content grounded in PHA’s lived experiences and responsive to emerging community needs

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Dimensions of EmpowermentCapacity Building &Skills

development:1. Treatment literacy2. Peer Counseling Skills3. Facilitation and presentation skills4. Advocacy skills5. Leadership

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Dimensions of EmpowermentIncreased/sustained community

engagement1. Volunteering in ASO’s & Other sectors2. Collaborative curriculum planning &

designing with PHAs and Trainers3. Peer trainer/Facilitator4. Peer mentor 5. Service provider

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Dimensions of EmpowermentResources Support/Incentives:

1. Honorarium for participating 2. Contracts as peer facilitators and

educators3. Part time and full time employment

opportunities

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Outcomes:• 111 Peer Treatment Counselors

have graduates from 5 ethno-racial communities – 22 became peer educators/facilitators for

subsequent series of training

– 42 got HIV/AIDS/Health sector related jobs

– Together volunteering for over 70 organizations

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Experience Sharing

• Among ETSN-graduates and Graduates &Facilitators

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Why ETSN works?:• Culturally appropriate and safe space• Individualized mentorship and support• Group based peer learning• Curriculum responsive to participants’

needs• Integrate community social network

building• Promotes and enhances PHA

involvement and leadership

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org

Most importantly, we learn and grow together and create a community!

Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012www.aids2012.org