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Applied in 2006

ACTION CareTeams

ACTION - AIDS Care Teams In Our Neighborhoods

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 0.75
  • Program Participants Last Year: 12
  • Meets about 12 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 24 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 120

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Ensures that arrangements with outside fund raising firms are made in writing.
  • Receives information about the financial arrangements with such firms and, if applicable, the anticipated portion of the gross proceeds that goes to the organization.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Convenes an audit committee.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
CarePartners relax knowing they have a circle of friends who will help and support them.

Measure
Monthly Team Meeting Reports

Outcome 2
CarePartners improve in adherence to medical protocols and regimes.

Measure
Reports from Social Workers

Outcome 3
T-Cell and Viral Load counts improve.

Measure
Reports from Social Workers and Physicians

Outcome 4
CarePartner is linked up with other available services (e.g., Meals on Wheels, etc.)

Measure
Monthly Team Coordinator Reports

Change Process: (self-reported)

ACTION (AIDS CareTeams In Our Neighborhoods) trains volunteers (CareTeams) to provide for the practical needs of people living in isolation and struggling with the physically- and emotionally-debilitating consequences of HIV/AIDS. ACTION brings help and comfort to people fighting HIV/AIDS in fear and isolation, and also gently blesses those who serve with a sense of deep satisfaction and purpose. The complications and isolation of living with this life- threatening condition too often result in depression and the inability to follow a strenuous medical regime. Depression and the psychological and emotional impact of HIV/AIDS have been shown to negatively affect the immune system, requiring stronger medications that can, in turn, prompt more depression. The presence of a CareTeam of six to twelve accepting, supportive and engaged people demonstrably improves the mental health of the individual, giving the HIV/AIDS CarePartner a better quality of life, a renewed will to live, a sense of belonging and the resolve and support to follow demanding medical protocols. CareTeam members have witnessed first-hand dramatic improvements in T-cell counts, reduction in viral loads and enhanced quality of life in dozens of people served since the inception of the program. We have seen estranged family members reconciled before the deaths of CarePartners and CarePartners drawn out of emotional despair and misery to a state of peace and joy. One AIDS CarePartner became well enough to volunteer on another CareTeam and on the Board of Directors.