We provide a number of services for men at the state's Arthur Kill Correctional Facility and from upstate prisons. Our prison programs include transitional case management, escort and transportation to releasees, and linkages with community based services. These services ensure that they are connected to medical, mental health, housing, parole, and other services immediately upon discharge.

We also provide support services at Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, including the Prison Issues Group, targeting MSM's and LGBT-identified men, the "Just Us" support group for men infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and the "Nosotros" group, targeting Latinos infected with and affected by AIDS.

Through a grant from the Centers for Disease and Prevention, we also provide HIV Counseling and Testing Services at Arthur Kill.

Community Re-Entry Program (Criminal Justice Initiative)

The Community Re-Entry Program was designed to coordinate the transition from incarceration back into the community for HIV+ men. The Community Health Action of Staten Island works with community organizations that provide transitional planning in upstate correctional facilities. These programs provide us with referrals which include their intake, discharge planning, and Department of Health HIPAA releases. Upon release, program staff meet the client at their point of entry into NYC, usually at Port Authority Bus terminal or Penn Station. The following services are coordinated with clients:

• Escort and transport to the first parole appointment within 24 hours of release.

• Escort and transport to initial enrollment at HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA) Public Assistance office, Social Security office, or other benefit offices

• Work with parole to find emergency housing immediately upon discharge if housing is not suitable.

• Introduction to and engagement with the community services organization for case management.

• Escort and transport to HIV primary care provider appointments..

• The Community Re-Entry Counselor works with the client for up to 6 months to ensure engagement with parole, benefits, housing, case management, and medical care, for the purposes of reducing recidivism.
  
  

Pre-Release Discharge Planning Case Management Program

The Pre-Release Case Management team provides pre-release discharge planning case management services at Arthur Kill Correctional Facility for inmates who are HIV + and have 6 months or less before they go before the Parole Board, work release and/or are released from prison. The Pre-Release team coordinates services with parole, Mental Health, primary care, ADAP, HASA, CBO and drug treatment if necessary. If a client is not from the five boroughs of New York City, Community Health Action provides a train or bus ticket to their destination.