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About Project ReConnect

Vision

Project ReConnect envisions a community where people living with HIV/AIDS are active, engaged members, leading more satisfying and meaningful lives.

Mission

Project ReConnect is dedicated to the inclusion and equity of people living with HIV/AIDS by supporting people to explore new possibilities and by de-stigmatizing HIV through education and advocacy.

Core Values

People living with HIV/AIDS:

• Are the best advocates and the most credible voices to promote the changing needs of the HIV/AIDS community.
• Must have access to fulfilling volunteer, educational and employment opportunities, which accommodate their needs.
• Must play a central role in the design, operation, and monitoring of the support they receive.
• Share the public responsibility to create inclusive communities.

2007-2008 Accomplishments of Project ReConnect

Much has been accomplished in 2007 and 2008:

• Six ReConnect Advocates (RAs) were trained to provide services to the community.
• RAs completed seven agency presentations to the following traditional and nontraditional HIV service providers:
• Community Resources for Independence (CRI)
• JobLink
• The Orenda Center
• Sunburst Projects
• Sonoma County Housing Authority
• Community Support Network
• Santa Rosa Junior College Disability Resource Center
• RAs provided one-on-one information and support at Food for Thought in Forestville.
• Project ReConnect was presented to local health jurisdictions and at the California Early Intervention Project Conference.
• Three RAs are presenting a workshop at the Ryan White HIV/AIDS All Grantee Program Meeting, to be held August 25-28, 2008. The workshop title will be "ReConnect: A forward-looking response to the changing face of HIV."
• Evaluation was completed and will be included in the Project ReConnect template and final report.
• The HIV/AIDS Resource Guide was updated and is being translated into Spanish. The guide is on the Public Health website, available to providers in binder form to clients can have individual pages copied, and also available in limited print.
• Michael Van Essen provided a second benefits workshop in Sonoma County, this time in Guerneville.
• The ReConnect webpage will be linked to the Public Health and Prevention WebPages.
• StayInformedSonoma.net will be folded into the ReConnect webpage.
• A tool kit of Project ReConnect will be included on the website and in the final report so that other local health jurisdictions will be able to replicate project.
• A technical assistance workshop will be provided to currently funded HIV service provider agencies to integrate Project ReConnect in their contact with consumers.
• DVDs will be developed via Camtasia so that consumers can access resources.
• Previously provided information via community forums or at Positive Connections will be available through the Prevention and Planning Divisions DVD lending library.

2008 - 2009 Plans for Project ReConnect

• Presentations to non-traditional HIV agency service providers.
• Follow up technical assistance to agencies that request it.
• Presentations to potential employers.
• Camtasia DVDs to promote RAs as a resource to other local health jurisdictions.
• Additional Camtasia DVDs to assist consumers in utilizing the internet as a resource.
• Scheduled office time for RAs to check their voice mailbox and be a resource to staff at the HIV Center and Face to Face. Continued participation of RAs and interns as outstation staff working with case managers and other project staff.
• RA-provided tours of local junior college and Joblink for interested consumers.
• RAs support for several ReConnect focused speakers at groups like Positive Connections to give personal testimony of the benefits of Project ReConnect.
• If funding is available, recruitment and training will begin for the next pool of Project ReConnect Advocates.
• Annual benefits training and other RA-specific training.