You may be wondering – what is an evidence-based intervention? Evidence-based interventions are science-based training programs that are carefully studied for validity before being sent out to community-based organizations and state and local health departments.  These programs have been shown through extensive research to be effective as HIV prevention interventions.  Cicatelli Associates Inc.’s Center for Evidence Based Interventions or CEBI is working with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to diffuse these interventions into

local communities in order to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Our goal is to provide capacity building services (such as training and technical assistance) to local community agencies so they will be able to effectively implement these evidence-based interventions.

This year, Cicatelli Associates Inc.’s CEBI has been focusing on Street Smart.  Coming in the spring, we will begin to offer training on Together Learning Choices, and Social Networks Strategy. Below you will find a brief description of each program.

Street Smart

Street Smart is an HIV/AIDS and STD prevention intervention originally developed for runaway and homeless youth. This group intervention is easily adaptable to other at-risk groups of youth.  Your staff may use this skills-building program to increase youth’s ability to reduce their unprotected sex acts, numbers of sex partners, and substance use. It is based on social learning theory, which links feelings, attitudes, and thoughts to behavior change.

Together Learning Choices

Together Learning Choices is an effective intervention for helping adolescents and young adults living with HIV identify ways to increase use of health care, decrease risky sexual behavior and drug and alcohol use, and improve quality of life. It emphasizes how contextual factors influence ability to respond effectively to stressful situations, solve problems, and act effectively to reach goals. Delivering the TLC intervention involves delivering specific content for each session, determining a routine format for all sessions, and helping clients identify behavior-changing mechanisms for solving their problems.
 

Social Networks Strategy for Counseling, Testing and Referral. 
 

If you have questions or would like to know more about these evidence-based interventions or about Cicatelli Associates Inc.’s Center for evidence-based interventions, please contact us at CEBI@cicatelli.org or call (212)594-7741.