Connect-Immunity Project

Both nationally and within the state of Kentucky for the past several years, rates of HIV and Hepatitis infection have been rising at a high rate in the reentry population and among the spouses and significant others of men and women returning from prison. Over 83 % of the prison population is estimated to have a significant substance abuse problem. Researchers have theorized that there is a relationship between alcohol and drug abuse among the prison population and the spike in HIV and Hepatitis infection rates in persons reentering from incarceration and among their partners.

Prior to 2005, COPES began to explore ways to integrate its nationally award winning model substance abuse prevention program, Creating Lasting Family Connections with new approaches to HIV prevention. COPES had also been working on an effective and comprehensive way to reduce both substance abuse and HIV infection in our programming for minority populations which have disproportionate rates of HIV infection. In 2005, COPES received a 1.3 million dollar grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), to test whether this new integrated approach could positively impact both substance abuse and HIV and Hepatitis infection rates with reentering ex-offenders and their families. The Connect-Immunity Project became a reality with this funding support from CSAP.

The Connect-Immunity Project is a 5-year project to determine the effectiveness of our new approach to substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis prevention with the reentry population and their families. During the first year of the grant, COPES staff developed a community needs assessment, investigated approaches listed on both the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) and the Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) project list of model programs, and researched state and local epidemiological data for both substance abuse and HIV infection in order to develop a realistic and practical strategic plan to implement the project. We also formed a Project Advisory Group of formal partners including the Kentucky Department of Corrections, The Volunteers of America of Kentucky, The University of Louisville WINGS Clinic, Dismas Charities and the Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness.

We began direct services in January, 2007. During the first year we have offered services to 3 cohorts of men and women returning to the Louisville Metro Area from Kentucky Department of Corrections facilities or individuals who had received substance abuse services from the Volunteers of America of Kentucky. While in prison, participants agreed to participate in a 6-month therapeutic community as part of the DOC Substance Abuse Program. Upon release, these reentering men and women receive aftercare services from Dismas Charities and from COPES through the Connect-Immunity Project. We encourage them to bring their spouses to our Creating Lasting Family Connections program.
The HIV enhanced version of our Creating Lasting Family Connections skill-building and family enhancement program lasts for 20 sessions. Each session is 2 hours long. Sessions are lively and interactive. Training approaches include short lectures, video presentations, group discussions, learning games and experiential learning strategies. The “Raising Resilient Youth” module focuses on how parents can promote resilience in their children by actively listening to them especially when they are addressing serious issues; holding Family Feelings Meetings in order to teach family members to express feelings and to build a rich feelings vocabulary; using “I-messages” to reduce shaming and blaming communication; and to include children’s input when constructing expectations and consequences in important areas such as driving a car, education, school attendance, dating and sexual expression.

“Getting Real” builds both refusal skills and communication approaches that are clear, compassionate and sincere. It teaches both parents and children how to effectively say “No” when saying “No” is in their best interest. “Developing Positive Parental Influences” shows parents how they can approach issues of substance abuse with knowledge and effective techniques for prevention. They learn that to drink is one experience, to get drunk is another experience and chemical dependency is another type of relationship altogether. Participants are encouraged to examine personal and family patterns of use and abuse and a process for designing their own personal family prevention plan based on their own specific genetic, environmental and personal lifestyle factors. The program also examines effective intervention and referral techniques. The HIV and Hepatitis Module provides clear information on both how HIV and Hepatitis are spread and how to prevent infection. Parents discuss appropriate information and preventive approaches to use with their children.

We are extremely delighted and encouraged by the early data we have received from retrospective surveys given after each module:
• 100% of the respondents reported that they listen to their children's thoughts and feelings when discussing family concerns and issues.
• 100% of the respondents reported that they are “very likely” or “likely” to involve their child in helping to make the family rules on doing homework.
• 100% of the respondents reported that they are “very likely” or “likely” to involve their child in helping to make the family rules on curfews.
• 92% of the respondents reported that they listen to each other’s feelings when they have a disagreement with their child.
• 100% of the respondents indicate that they will feel better about creating consequences in their family.
• 100% of the respondents report that they have improved in their skills in giving positive feedback which includes validating and affirming their children when they express their emotions or feelings.
• 89% of the respondents “strongly agree” or “agree” that their personal use of alcohol and/or drugs has gone down since they started CLFC.
• Overall, 96% of the respondents reported that they are more capable, confident, and prepared to say “no” and help their children say “no” following their involvement in the CLFC program.
We believe these short term results will continue to be reflected in our longer term project. We are proud to be supporting the recovery and positive reentry of recovering and reentering populations and to be fostering the healthy growth of families.

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