Transnational Trans Woman Inspires and Informs Evidence-Informed Interventions.

Transitional Care Coordination is an evidence-informed model program developed by New York City Correctional Health Services as a Health Resources and Services Administration Special Projects of National Significance Correctional Health Linkage Intervention. Using implementation science under this and subsequent demonstration projects, interventions were adapted and enhanced to address the transitional needs of people of Puerto Rican ancestry and to expand the network of care across the islands of Puerto Rico. These interventions were informed, in part, by a transnational trans woman of color of Puerto Rican ancestry living with HIV. A socioecological model framework and case study are used to illustrate how evidence-informed interventions are developed and adapted to address the needs of those served.

HIV Care Engagement Among Justice-Involved and Substance Using People of Puerto Rican Origin Who are Living with HIV.

Persons living with diagnosed HIV (PLWDH) are overrepresented in correctional settings, as are Latinx including those of Puerto Rican (PR) origin. Little is known about this population's HIV care engagement after incarceration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 PLWDH of PR origin incarcerated in NYC jails using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations as the theoretical basis. Most participants described a fragile connection to HIV care and inconsistent antiretroviral therapy adherence due to issues including substance use, poverty (e.g. homelessness), and other factors. Most were satisfied with their current communitybased providers and reported that their PR ethnicity and transnational ties to PR did not impact their HIV care, although some preferred Spanish-speaking providers. Greater access to stable housing and HIV care that is convenient to substance use treatment and other services appear to be the greatest needs of PLWDH of PR origin leaving jail.

Client Outcomes From a Multilevel Intervention to Support Persons Living With HIV and Returning to the Community After Incarceration in Puerto Rico.

The twin epidemics of HIV and incarceration impact Puerto Rico, which has limited resources to address the social and structural determinants of health in incarcerated populations. A Special Programs of National Significance grant supported a Puerto Rican community-based organization to implement the evidence-informed Transitional Care Coordination intervention among incarcerated persons living with HIV, targeting changes at the individual, organization, and systems levels. After implementation (November 2015-July 2018; n = 69), 93.1% of eligible clients were linked to community-based HIV care, 86.3% remained in care for 6 months, and 78.6% remained for 12 months. A greater proportion reported consistent HIV care, ART adherence, food security, and transportation to access care. Integrating HIV case management with housing and employment services, and developing buy-in and collaboration from partners across systems of care, including after a natural disaster, led to positive client outcomes. This intervention shows promise for adaptation to other HIV care and service delivery systems.

Patterns of homelessness and implications for HIV health after release from jail.

This empirical study examines the association between substance abuse, mental illness, health behaviors and different patterns of homelessness among recently released, HIV-infected jail detainees. Using longitudinal data from a 10-site study, we examine correlates of homelessness, transitions to and from stable housing and the effect of housing on HIV treatment outcomes. Based on our analysis, we found evidence that the transitions from homelessness are closely associated with a reduction in the use of alcohol and illicit drugs, a decline in drug addiction severity, and an improvement in mental health. In addition, we found evidence that disparities in the housing status contributed substantially to the observed gap in the HIV treatment outcomes between homeless and non-homeless patients, including in achievement of virological suppression over time.

Correlates of retention in HIV care after release from jail: results from a multi-site study.

Retention in care is key to effective HIV treatment, but half of PLWHA in the US are continuously engaged in care. Incarcerated individuals are an especially challenging population to retain, and empiric data specific to jail detainees is lacking. We prospectively evaluated correlates of retention in care for 867 HIV-infected jail detainees enrolled in a 10-site demonstration project. Sustained retention in care was defined as having a clinic visit during each quarter in the 6 month post-release period. The following were independently associated with retention: being male (AOR = 2.10, p ≤ 0.01), heroin use (AOR 1.49, p = 0.04), having an HIV provider (AOR 1.67, p = 0.02), and receipt of services: discharge planning (AOR 1.50, p = 0.02) and disease management session (AOR 2.25, p ≤ 0.01) during incarceration; needs assessment (AOR 1.59, p = 0.02), HIV education (AOR 2.03, p ≤ 0.01), and transportation assistance (AOR 1.54, p = 0.02) after release. Provision of education and case management services improve retention in HIV care after release from jail.

Transitional care coordination in New York City jails: facilitating linkages to care for people with HIV returning home from Rikers Island.

New York City (NYC) jails are the epicenter of an epidemic that overwhelmingly affects Black and Hispanic men and offer a significant opportunity for public health intervention. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene instituted population based approaches to identify the HIV-infected, initiate discharge planning at jail admission, and facilitate post-release linkages to primary care. Using a caring and supportive 'warm transitions' approach, transitional care services are integral to continuity of care. Since 2010, over three-quarters of known HIV-infected inmates admitted to jails received discharge plans; 74 % of those released were linked to primary care. The EnhanceLink initiative's new Health Liaison, a lynchpin role, facilitated 250 court-led placements in medical alternatives to incarceration. Transitional care coordination programs are critical to facilitate continuity of care for people with chronic health conditions including the HIV-infected returning home from jail and for the public health of the communities to which they return.

Linkage to HIV care for jail detainees: findings from detention to the first 30 days after release.

Of people living with HIV in the US, ~16 % or over 150,000 individuals passed through a correctional facility in 2006. Given the enormous impact of HIV within incarcerated populations, facilitating continuity of care from jails to the community is particularly important in reducing morbidity and mortality for releasees. Grantees participating in the Enhancing Linkages to HIV Primary Care in Jail Settings Initiative developed models for identifying HIV-positive detainees during incarceration and linking them to care following release. In this sample of 1,021 HIV-infected releasees, 79 % received clinical services and 74 % received additional community services within 30 days post-release. Our analysis found several significant factors associated with linkage including: receipt of HIV or medication education in jail, having a completed discharge plan at release, staff awareness of clients' release date, and stable housing on the 30th day post-release. In addition, a subset of participants who had both jail and community viral load assessments showed a statistically significant increase in suppressed viral load. EnhanceLink data suggest that jails may be effective settings to engage individuals in care.