Connect is a six session, relationship-based intervention
that teaches couples techniques and skills to enhance the quality of
their relationship, communication, and shared commitment to safer
behaviors. The program is based on the AIDS Risk Reduction Model, which organizes behavior change into three phases-recognizes risk, commit to change, and act on strategies-and on the Ecological Perspective which emphasizes the personal, relational, and societal influences on behavior. Connect integrates techniques commonly used in family therapy, which will allow couples to work together to solve shared problems.
The target population for Connect is heterosexual women or men, 18 and over and their main sexual partners.
Research and Development
El-Bassel,
N., Witte, S., Gilbert, L., Wu E., Chang, M., Hill, J., and Steinglass,
P. (2003). The efficacy of a relationship-based HIVSTD prevention
program for heterosexual couples. American Journal of Public Health
93(6):963-969.
Program Review Panel Information
The
CDC requires all CDC-funded agencies using the Connect intervention to
identify, or establish, and utilize a Program Review Panel and complete
Form 0.1113 to document this activity. The intervention researchers and
developers are not involved in this activity. This is a CDC requirement
for their grantees, and all questions in this regard should be directed
to your agency's CDC Project Officer or to the health department
funding your agency's implementation of the intervention.
The Program Review Panel guidelines, instructions for completion of Form 0.113, and the form itself are available under the Related Links section of the this website.
CDC Policy on Youth Peer Outreach Workers
CDC
funded (directly or indirectly) agencies using youth (either paid or
volunteer) in program outreach activities need to use caution and
judgement in the venues/situations where youth workers are placed.
Agencies should give careful consideration to the "age appropriateness"
of the activity or venue. Additionally, agencies should comply with all
relevant laws and regulations regarding entrance into adult
establishments/environments. Laws and curfews should be clearly
outlined in required safety protocols developed and implemented by
agencies directly and indirectly funded by CDC.
If you have specific questions, please contact your CDC project officer.