Purpose
As a direct response to the increase in persons testing positive for HIV, the JAS Support Services Department is charged with the mandate of providing care and support for persons infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
Staff
Major financial sponsors for this department include United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Merck, Sharpe and Dohme, Christian Aid (CA), The Ministry of Health through the Global Fund, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Jamaican Women of Washington (JWOW), and the Montego Bay/Atlanta Sister Cities.
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| Novlet Reid, Director of Support Services conducts staff retreat |
Operational
in all three Chapters, the Support Services
Department is headed by he Director Novlet Reid.
In Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Kingston, Support
Services activities are managed by Marcia Brooks,
Dorett Smith and Daunette Wellington respectively.
The
Home-based Care Coordinators are Tonya Clarke
(Kingston) and Briggette Murray (Montego Bay)
The
orphans and other children made vulnerable by
HIV and AIDS (OVC) programme is coordinated
by Briggette Murray (Montego Bay) and Novlet
Reid (Ocho Rios). The Kingston component is
managed by Home-based Care and Support Services
Staff members.
Activities
Counselling
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Individual
counselling.
Since opening our doors, thousands of persons
have made use of this service through a
cadre of trained counselors who are available
in all three Chapters to conduct counselling
either via telephone and or face to face.
These counselling services may be on a one-off
or ongoing basis. JAS has made a major investment
in this service with confidentiality being
one of the major components.
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Support groups are run by trained facilitators and designed to help people explore various issues inclusive of their possibilities, rights and choices in a safe environment. These groups are closed groups with a maximum of eight (8) participants which run for a period of about six (6) weeks after which they are evaluated by the members and a decision made as to whether or not to invite new persons or not. Groups offered include those for gay men, heterosexual men, women and family members/caregivers. The decision to separate groups was made upon recognizing that each group has its own quite unique needs.
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| Practicing Group faciliatation skills |
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Peer Support for HIV Positive clients is an integral part of the programme as we recognise the benefit of support being given to others in a similar position. This has proved most beneficial in situations of a newly diagnosed person, feeling isolated and afraid that life is unable to go on.
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| HIV positive women share their experiences with local and international audiences |
Home-based care
Our Homebased-Care programme sees us going into the homes of people living with HIV/AIDS, offering information, counselling and support care packages and medication. This Programme targets persons who are at home or may be in a residential facility. It ensures that the proper nutritional status of the client is maintained, and that they are followed-up by appropriate medical caregivers.
In addition to this, the client and family members are given counselling and support in a personalised environment. Helping caregivers to cope with the many issues related to care is an integral part of this initiative.
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| Nurse Clarke prepares food care packages for PLWAs |
Home-based Care Nurse gives a warm hug to a client |
VCT
Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV and Syphilis is offered through all three JAS Chapters free of cost. This is handled by trained, responsible counselors in an environment sensitive to the client’s needs. Pre and post test counselling is always done and support offered during the time in which it takes for the result to be returned. We are lobbying the Ministry of Health to allow rapid testing at each of our three offices.
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| Nurse Wellington conducting testing |
OVC
A formal programme is in its pilot stages focusing on orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV (OVC) in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. This programme seeks to improve the conditions under which OVC are cared for by :- sensitizing and mobilizing professionals from collaborating agencies and health care providers; supporting caregivers and family members; providing one on one counseling for OVC; establishing income generating projects and stimulating public discussion of issues affecting OVC.
Project Smiles
This initiative by JAS aimed at collecting toys, school items, medical supplies and non perishable food items for OVC. The initiative which was launched in December of 2003 got overwhelming public support and collected over one million Jamaican dollars worth of items through the three JAS chapters to benefit Jamaica’s children. It will be an ongoing venture.
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| US Peace Corps Volunteer, Melissa Goodnight decorating Project Smiles boxes |
Friends
A "Friends" network, offers practical and emotional support to people living with or affected by HIV. After training, suitable volunteers are assigned to a client/family member or caregiver.
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| Volunteers in training
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Memorial Quilts
Each year an artist contributes his/her taalent to JAS by designing and making a memorial quilt dedicated to those persons who have succumbed to AIDS related complications. The new quilt is usually unveiled at the World AIDS Day candle light vigil on December 1. The 2005 quilt was made by Donovan Fairweather.
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| One of the many Quilts displayed at the annual candle light vigil. |
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