PREVENTION

Outreach and Education

The Metro TeenAIDS Outreach Protocol models the CDC approved DEBI called the “Real AIDS Prevention Project” (RAPP). RAPP outreach is based off of thetrans-theoretical model in health psychology that assesses an individual’s readiness to act on a new healthier behavior; and provides strategies, or processes of change to guide the individual through the stages of change ultimately resulting in action and maintenance.

By using this model, MTA targets youth 13-24 that are either HIV positive or at risk for contracting HIV. We do this by conducting street outreach, health fairs, HIV informational presentations and reaching out to youth on popular social networking sites (internet outreach); providing them with the tools, the education and the skills to end the HIV epidemic.

Metro TeenAIDS’ Peer Education Program focuses on leadership development and peer education for youth between the ages of 13-24. Peers go through rigorous training on how to talk with their peers about HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and much more. The Peer Education Program consists of 3 groups: Community Messengers, RealTalk Reps and REALTalk Ambassadors. For many of the young peer educators working at Metro TeenAIDS, this is their introduction to the workforce and all that comes with it – being on time, following through on your word, working as a team. The work they do is truly remarkable

  • Each Peer team is trained on the same scale and they all share common duties such as condom outreach/stage based encounters and HIV/STI presentations but, each team has a different primary focus.

 

MTA’s Outreach Methods:

  • Street Outreach
  • Community Outreach
  • Internet Outreach
  • Business and Community Based Organization Outreach
  • Presentations

For more information about MTA’s Prevention Department, please contact Raul Posas at r[email protected] or 202.543.9355.