This summer, 33 newly certified Peer Leaders will be facilitating Positive Self-Management Program (PSMP) workshops at health centers and other agencies across Connecticut. These workshops are designed to help individuals living with HIV & AIDS and their partners, caretakers and others to learn the skills needed to coordinate all of the things needed to manage their health, to improve their health outcomes and their quality of life.

Dionne Kotey, Programs Coordinator

The PSMP workshops are a product of CHCACT’s Ryan White Supplemental grant, funded through HRSA. Through the grant, this Spring, CHCACT trained and certified 33 staff and patients from six health centers, as well as HRA of New Britain and AIDS CT, to facilitate the PSMP workshops. Each of the participants will facilitate at least one 6-week PSMP workshop this summer in their communities. The small-group workshops will include 8-16 participants who will learn together about nutrition, evaluating symptoms, solving problems, communicating effectively with health care providers and more. They will share experiences and help each other solve problems they may encounter in creating and carrying out their self-management programs.

So far, Community Health Services and StayWell have each completed a workshop term, and StayWell and Charter Oak Health Center are running a session currently. In the near future, HRA and CHS are looking to run workshop sessions in Spanish.

CHCACT is so pleased to have been able to offer these peer leadership trainings – through this model, we expect to reach over 100 people across the state, helping to promote self-management skills and better health.

If you are looking for more information on the PSMP, please contact me!

Have a great week.

Dionne