Center for Health Justice (CHJ), proposes the “Keep it Safe but Sexy (KISS) Program to address
the needs of incarcerated and post-incarcerated socially disenfranchised, racial, ethnic and
culturally and linguistically diverse minority youth (ages 13-24) who are at the highest risk of
HIV, viral hepatitis (VH) and substance use disorders (SUD) by providing a 6 session in-custody
harm-reduction health education group sessions and navigation service post-release. CHJ has
been providing health education and support services in correctional custody settings since 1999.
KISS will reach at least 100 clients during its six session program (500 throughout the lifetime of
the Project), link 50 clients to services post-release (250 throughout the lifetime of the Project),
with anticipated retention of services of 30 clients per year after one month (150 throughout the
lifetime of the Project) and 20 clients per year after two months (100 throughout the life of the
Project). The KISS Program, will enhance and expand CHJ’s existing efforts to more
comprehensively address needs related to SUD, HIV/AIDS, and VH education and prevention
among minorities (13-24) transitioning out of LAC Jails and back into their communities.
Specifically, KISS will achieve its behavioral change goals through the following activities: a)
local outreach and in-reach activities inside LAC Jails, Community-Based Organizations
(CBO’s), and at HIV and SUD treatment programs; b) in-custody classes on SUD, HIV/AIDS,
and VH risk reduction; c) in-custody one-on-one support sessions; d) health coverage enrollment
assistance; e) building additional and stronger connections between community providers; f)
facilitating increased accessibility, integration, and management of medical, mental health, and
SUD treatment services and interventions after release from custody; g) designing social media
campaigns to promote improved health outcomes and prevention of SUD, HIV/AIDS, and VH
among participant; h) provide education and training to substance use disorder treatment and
other healthcare providers on the importance of HIV testing and linkage to care; and i) enhanced
data collection, evaluation of program effectiveness, and dissemination of findings to inform
development and implementation of programs in other settings. KISS will achieve, at minimum,
the following objectives: 100 people completing the KISS class series as well as 100 one-one-
one sessions annually (500 over the 5-year Program period); 50 people linked into SUD,
HIV/AIDS, and/or VH treatment or other essential support services annually (250 over 5 years);
annually, 30 people remaining adherent to treatment 30 days after linkage (150 over 5 years);
and 20 people remaining adherent to treatment 60 days after linkage (100 over 5 years); 20
enrolled in health coverage annually (100 over 5 years); and 104 social media posts per year (254
posts over 5 years). KISS will: utilize a Community Advisory Board to evaluate its cultural,
linguistic, and age appropriateness; an Evaluation Consultant to provide an independent
assessment of Program progress and use Program findings to influence the development of
strategies for direct and indirect environmental prevention of SUD, HIV/AIDS, and VH.