Part 1: Overview of program phases
There are four major phases to a social networks program. Agencies conducting a social
networks testing program to reach persons with undiagnosed HIV infection should model their
programs after these phases. These phases are
- Recruiter Enlistment
- Engagement (Orientation, Interview, and Coaching)
- Recruitment of Network Associates
- Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CTR)
Each phase is briefly described below. A flow diagram illustrating all four phases can be found
on the next page (Figure 2).
Recruiter Enlistment
In this phase, HIV-positive or HIV-negative high-risk persons from the community who are able
and willing to recruit individuals at risk for HIV infection from their social, sexual, or drug-using
networks are enlisted into the program. To identify recruiters, agencies approach their HIV positive
clients and identify additional people through the agency’s existing counseling and
testing, medical, social services, or through HIV prevention programs. On an ongoing basis,
program staff will approach and enlist new recruiters who may be able to provide access to
additional networks.
Engagement (Orientation, Interview, and Coaching)
After recruiters are enlisted into the program, they are provided with an orientation session that
explains the nature of the program and the social network techniques that might be used to
approach their associates and discuss HIV testing with them. Next, recruiters are interviewed to
elicit information about their network associates. The period of time needed to elicit information
from recruiters is typically brief—recruiters may be able to give all of their network information
within just a few interviews. Unlike peer outreach workers, recruiters’ participation time overall
may be relatively short.
Coaching may be required on an ongoing basis throughout the period of the recruiter’s
participation. Coaching may involve discussion with recruiters on how to approach associates
about 1) obtaining HIV CTR, 2) disclosing their own HIV status if they wish to do so, and 3)
how to avoid disclosing status if desired.
Recruitment of Network Associates
Next, recruiters will refer individuals for testing who they have identified as being at risk for
HIV infection. All individuals should be approached by the recruiter alone, without the
provider).
Figure 2. Four phases of the Social Networks testing strategy
Click to enlarge
Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CTR)
The next phase involves providing HIV CTR to the network associates identified through the
social networks strategy. Agencies may provide HIV CTR services to network associates in their
own facilities (e.g., office, clinic) or they may make services available in areas where network
associates live, work, and gather (e.g., testing in a mobile van, a housing program, a park, or
cruising area). Agencies should be capable of providing their own CTR services without
referring to another agency. Go to Section One; Part
2
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