Assigning clearly specific duties



Having clear boundaries on professional obligations

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Enlisting volunteer help from community organizations

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Allowing for "time out" activities

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Varying tasks and responsibilities

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Building in "mental health days"

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Providing for continuing education

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Holding staff retreats (with enjoyable activities planned)

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Holding discussion, process, and support groups

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Convening regular staff/team supervision meetings

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In addition, it is important that agencies allocate time to discuss the deaths and losses faced by

staff. This may mean supporting special memorial events at which those who have been lost to

HIV/AIDS disease can be remembered. Agencies also can support staff through contracts with

employee assistance program therapists and by providing an onsite therapeutic support group for

staff members to attend as they wish.

Screening

Client-Specific Needs

A positive screen for HIV infection typically leads to a referral for formal assessment, usually to

an HIV/AIDS case management service. Frequently, substance abuse treatment programs

provide referrals to HIV/AIDS care services. Providers will want to identify substance abuse

treatment programs and agencies with these networks. At a minimum, services should include

the following client needs in priority order:

Substance abuse treatment



Medical care



Housing



Mental health care



Nutritional care



Dental care



Ancillary services



Support systems



Discussion of some of these needs appears below.

Interim substance abuse treatment for clients on waiting lists

Because of an insufficient number of substance abuse treatment slots, clients often must wait for

treatment. Risk-reduction efforts can be made, however, while the client is waiting for substance