grandparent who is dealing with chronic ailments, limited resources, and little emotional energy

to raise more children.

If a child also is HIV positive, there will be special needs that the parent may not be able to

address while facing her own issues. The already demanding dynamics of childhood, school, and

growing up become more challenging for an HIV-infected child and parent. Even if the child is

not HIV positive, the demands of parenting can prove rigorous for single parents with

HIV/AIDS. Although the parent experiences the relief of knowing the child is all right, the

poignant realization that he may not live to see that child grow up can still be painful.

The HIV-infected single parent with a substance abuse disorder is at risk of losing custody of her

minor children if convicted of drug possession or substance abuse. If family members disapprove

of the single parent's lifestyle, they may seek custody of the active substance abuser's minor

children. The counselor may facilitate a plan encouraging the single parent toward goals that

support the parenting relationship. This enables the recovery process to take place while the

parent and child are working out their own version of permanency planning.

It is difficult for a child to witness the effects of a substance abuse disorder on a parent; surely

the difficulty increases enormously when the child is told that the parent has HIV/AIDS.

Children whose parents are in recovery from substance abuse disorders or who are maintaining

some stability despite periodic substance abuse may experience some changes in their

relationships with their parents.

There are support groups and programs for children whose parents are affected by HIV.

Although not available in all communities, these groups offer children a chance to talk about

their fears regarding their parents' health, learn more about the disease, and socialize with others

who are facing these problems. At the same time, the programs can provide the parent with some

respite time. In addition, groups like Al-Anon and Alateen can provide children with support and

education about the recovery process.

If service providers work in a large urban area, chances are there will be an AIDS Service

Organization (ASO) listed in the phone book. This agency is likely to have lists of support

groups of all kinds. Single parents with substance abuse disorders who are HIV positive should

also have a support group.

Hispanics

The Hispanic population in the United States is diverse, composed of a wide range of racial,

indigenous, and ethnic groups. The following are important statistics related to the U.S. Hispanic

population that affect how outreach, prevention, and treatment planning should be conducted:

Hispanics have the highest labor force participation rate of all groups.



Hispanic men have the highest fertility rate of all groups across all ages.



Hispanic men have the lowest divorce rate of all groups.



Hispanic men are on average younger than other men in the United States (with median



age of 26.2 years).