SHARED EXPERIENCES - 3 PROGRAMS SERVING HIV-POSITIVE YOUTHS

This article presents the major components of three models of linked p sychosocial care for HIV-positive youths and youths at high risk for H IV infection: YouthCare (Seattle, Washington), TOPS Program (Bridgepor t, Connecticut), and Boston HAPPENS (Boston, Massachusetts). These mod els were developed to connect hard-to-reach and otherwise marginalized youths to needed services. All sites have successful programs that ar e well integrated with their communities' systems of care for HIV-posi tive adolescents. The projects share their program elements, successes , and challenges. Practical suggestions are offered to those intereste d in providing and evaluating youth-oriented HIV care programs.