Completed Projects

Hepatitis C Disease Prevention, Community-based Support and Research Program Projects

2008
2007
2006
2005

2008

• GUYZ (Gay Urban Youth Zone) - St. John's, NL
• Hep'd Up on Life: The Promotion and Prevention of Hepatitis C and AIDS among Prince Edward Island's Aboriginal Youth - PE
• HIV, HCV, HBV: Are You Confused Yet? Clarifying Blood Borne Pathogens Among Cape Breton's Youth - Cape Breton Island, NS
• "It Won't Happen to Me..." - Harm Reduction Education for Youth - Moncton, NB
• Northern New Brunswick Youth Mobilization Initiative - Hepatitis C Prevention in Action - New Brunswick
• Reducing the Risk of Hepatitis C Infection in Aboriginal Youth in Labrador - Labrador, NL
• Taking "Young Voices" to the Streets - Atlantic
• The Voice of our Youth: Youth Leading Youth through Positive Peer Mentoring - Atlantic
• Youth H.O.P.E. Phase II - Moncton, NB

GUYZ (Gay Urban Youth Zone)

Organization:	AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador
Internet Site:	www.acnl.net

Description:

Gay Urban Youth Zone (GUYZ) is a 26-month project of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador. The project will address the issue of HIV and hepatitis C prevention among gay men aged 19-29 in St. John’s. The project aims to increase knowledge about prevention among young gay men and to increase understanding, among AIDS-related organizations, of HIV and hepatitis C issues affecting these men. To meet these objectives, the Committee will reach out to gay youth, assess their needs, and examine research literature related to best practices. Results will be used to develop a prevention education campaign and a series of videos. A one-day workshop will be organized to share information with people and organizations concerned with HIV and hepatitis C prevention.

Hep'd Up on Life: The Promotion and Prevention of Hepatitis C and AIDS among Prince Edward Island's Aboriginal Youth

Organization:	Native Council of Prince Edward Island
Telephone:	(902) 892-5314 or (902) 566-2709

Description:

Hep'd Up on Life: the Promotion and Prevention of Hepatitis C and AIDS among Prince Edward Island's Aboriginal Youth is a 19-month project of the Native Council of Prince Edward Island. The project aims to increase the organization’s capacity to address the prevention of hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections, an issue largely new to the Native Council’s agenda.

To launch the project, Native Council board, staff, and volunteers will participate in train-the-trainer introductory HIV/AIDS workshops offered by partner Aboriginal organizations sharing their experience with prevention programming. The Native Council will then identify and connect with local, provincial, and national organizations active on these issues. In the final year of the project, the Council will work with youth to develop and offer a comprehensive and culturally appropriate prevention-education program for Aboriginal youth. The project is expected to result in increased knowledge and skills among the Island’s Aboriginal population for the prevention of hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections.

HIV, HCV, HBV: Are You Confused Yet? Clarifying Blood Borne Pathogens Among Cape Breton's Youth

Organization:	AIDS Coalition of Cape Breton
Internet Site:	www.accb.ns.ca

Description:

HIV, HCV, HBV: Are You Confused Yet? Clarifying Blood Borne Pathogens Among Cape Breton's Youth is a 12-month project of the AIDS Coalition of Cape Breton. The purpose of the project is to reduce rates of infection among youth. The coalition will produce a comprehensive prevention education program aimed at clarifying the similarities, differences and inter-relationships among three blood borne pathogens: HIV, HCV, and HBV. The new program, which will be tested with Cape Breton youth, will then be available to partner organizations and others working with youth throughout the region.

"It Won't Happen to Me..." - Harm Reduction Education for Youth

Organization:	SIDA-AIDS Moncton
Internet Site:	www.sida-aidsmoncton.com

Description:

"It Won't Happen to Me..." - Harm Reduction Education for Youth is a 21-month project of SIDA-AIDS Moncton. The project will address the issue of injection drug use by street youth and the associated risks of hepatitis C and HIV infections. The purpose of the project is to increase young people’s access to information on this issue and to increase community understanding of the harm-reduction approach. Street youth will be included on the project advisory committee. After receiving training in community-based research, they will conduct community meetings and youth focus groups. Other proposed activities include the development of a youth-oriented harm-reduction program, a community roundtable, and a strategic plan to address the issue.

Northern New Brunswick Youth Mobilization Initiative - Hepatitis C Prevention in Action

Organization:	University of New Brunswick - Faculty of Education
Telephone:	(506) 458-7187

Description:

Northern New Brunswick Youth Mobilization Initiative - Hepatitis C Prevention in Action is a 12-month project of the University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Education. This project aims to engage youth in hepatitis C prevention and, ultimately, to reduce hepatitis C and other infectious diseases among youth. The group will review the literature and prepare a presentation on better practices for hepatitis C prevention among youth. Through youth consultations, they will develop a plan for involving young people in hepatitis C prevention. Project activities will then focus on implementing this plan. The mobilization process, including activities, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned, will be documented and made available for use in other communities.

Reducing the Risk of Hepatitis C Infection in Aboriginal Youth in Labrador

Organization:	Labrador Friendship Centre
Telephone:	(709) 896-8302

Description:

Reducing the Risk of Hepatitis C Infection in Aboriginal Youth in Labrador is a six-month project of the Labrador Friendship Centre. Project partners include the Labrador School Board, Health Labrador, and the Metis Nation. The goal of the project is to provide Labrador’s Aboriginal youth with relevant information about hepatitis C. The key objective is to increase understanding about this population’s information needs in relation to hepatitis C. The Labrador Friendship Centre and its partners will conduct a needs assessment with 50 Aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 29. They will then organize workshops in several communities and a variety of settings including schools, recreational settings, a prison, and the Friendship Centre. Two hundred Aboriginal youth are expected to participate in these workshops and gain knowledge about hepatitis C.

Taking "Young Voices" to the Streets

Organization:	Canadian Liver Foundation - Atlantic Regional Office
Internet Site:	www.liver.ca or www.masks4liver.ca or www.teeupforeliver.org/

Description:

Taking "Young Voices" to the Streets is a 12-month project of the Canadian Liver Foundation’s Atlantic Regional Office. This project aims to increase youth awareness of hepatitis C and other infectious diseases, thereby reducing the spread of the infection. Young people will develop and deliver a youth-friendly prevention education program. The program will include an interactive website, Prevention Week workshops in more than 40 schools and communities throughout Atlantic Canada, and a regional youth network event. These resources will be widely promoted to ensure optimum use.

Youth H.O.P.E. Phase II

Organization:	John Howard Society of Greater Moncton, Inc.
Telephone:	(506) 854-3502

Description:

Youth H.O.P.E. Phase II is a 19-month project of the John Howard Society of Greater Moncton. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of both HIV and hepatitis C among youth, specifically those at risk or in custodial settings. Project activities will be guided by a youth advisory committee. Building on pre-existing resource material, the group will develop an HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C peer-education program suitable for use with at-risk youth. The resulting program will be offered in the Moncton community and in two residential facilities: the New Brunswick Youth Centre and Portage NB. The project also includes HIV and hepatitis C awareness programming for John Howard Society staff around the province.

2007

• Navigating Life with Hepatitis C - Atlantic Hepatitis C Conference
• Reducing the Risk of Hepatitis C Infection in Aboriginal Youth in Labrador - Labrador, NL
• Resources, Education, and Access to Counseling and Harm Reduction (REACH) -Kings, Annapolis, and Queens Counties, NS

Navigating Life with Hepatitis C - Atlantic Hepatitis C Conference

Organization:	Canadian Liver Foundation, Nova Scotia Division
Telephone:	(902) 423-8538

Description:

Navigating Life with Hepatitis C - Atlantic Hepatitis C Conference is a one-year project of the Canadian Liver Foundation, Nova Scotia Division. The goal of the project is to improve hepatitis C care, support, and prevention services in Atlantic Canada. Project activities include an Atlantic-wide conference followed by educational workshops in each province. The conference will provide up-to-date information on hepatitis C prevalence, prevention, support, and treatment. It will also provide networking opportunities for professionals and people affected by hepatitis C. Media coverage of these events will increase public awareness of the disease.

Reducing the Risks: Crystal Meth Use Among Youth

Organization:	Mainline Needle Exchange
Telephone:	(902) 423-9991

Description:

Reducing the Risks: Crystal Meth Use Among Youth is a 12-month project of Mainline Needle Exchange. The purpose of the project is to increase understanding about the ways that use of crystal meth and other drugs puts young people at risk for HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections. The project team will review existing research and conduct focus groups and interviews with young people living in the Halifax area. The final report will describe the extent of crystal meth and other amphetamine/drug use in Halifax and the factors that put youth at risk for transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections. The results of the study will be presented to young people in schools and other community settings.

Resources, Education, and Access to Counseling and Harm Reduction (REACH) Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Society

Organization:	Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Society
Telephone:	(902) 420-0566

Description:

Resources, Education and Access to Counseling and Harm Reduction (REACH) is a 14-month project of the Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Society’s Direction 180 program. Direction 180 is a community-based methadone maintenance program in downtown Halifax. The purpose of the project is to increase access to health-promotion and prevention activities for youth in rural communities, specifically relating to reducing the risks of infection associated with drug use. Direction 180 will work with the Mud Creek Medical Co-op in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, to build collaborative partnerships with health-promotion and prevention initiatives in Kings, Annapolis, and Queens Counties. Project activities include youth consultations, the creation of a methadone treatment network, peer counselling, and other health-promotion and harm-reduction activities for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other blood borne pathogens.

2006

• Hepatitis: Transmission of Knowledge to Our Neighbours - Halifax, NS
• Island of Hope Peer Education and Training Project - Cape Breton, NS
• Off-Reserve Hep C Education and Prevention 4 Youth - New Brunswick
• Waking Up the Neighbours: A Hepatitis C Project - Fredericton, NB
• Young Voices II - Youth Building Awareness Around Hepatitis C - Moncton, NB
• Youth Hepatitis Outreach Peer Education Project (Youth H.O.P.E. Project) - Miramichi, NB

Hepatitis: Transmission of Knowledge to Our Neighbours

Organization:

Mi'Kmaq Native Friendship Society

Description:

Hepatitis: Transmission of Knowledge to Our Neighbours is a six-month project of the Mi'Kmaq Native Friendship Society. In this project, staff of Direction 180, the Society's community-based methadone treatment program, will work closely with ARK Youth Centre, a drop-in centre for Halifax street youth. The purpose of the project is to increase capacity in both organizations to deliver hepatitis C programming. Planned project activities include educational sessions on hepatitis C for Direction 180 nursing staff, and youth-friendly hepatitis C programming for clients of both Direction 180 and ARK. The expected results of the project include increased staff knowledge about both hepatitis C prevention and approaches for working with young people, and increased awareness of hepatitis C prevention among clients of both organizations. This new partnership between Direction 180 and ARK is expected to result in future collaboration.

Island of Hope Peer Education and Training Project

Organization:

Hepatitis Outreach Society

Description:

The Island of Hope Peer Education and Training Project is a six-month initiative of the Hepatitis Outreach Society. The goal of the project is to prevent the spread of hepatitis C and to increase the knowledge of risk reduction among Cape Breton youth. Young people will be involved in every stage of the project's development, implementation and evaluation. Planned activities include a needs assessment of Cape Breton youth, a review of existing peer education resources for hepatitis C, and the adaptation and delivery of a peer education program. The project is expected to result in a network of peer educators throughout Cape Breton, and a peer education training manual appropriate for Cape Breton youth. The manual will be shared with project partners and local youth-serving agencies.

Off-Reserve Hep C Education and Prevention 4 Youth

Organization:

New Brunswick Aboriginal People's Council

Description:

Off-Reserve Hep C Education and Prevention 4 Youth is a seven-month project sponsored by the New Brunswick Aboriginal People's Council. The goal of the project is to raise awareness of hepatitis C and its effects among off-reserve Aboriginal youth. The project intends to do this by increasing the availability of hepatitis C information for off-reserve Aboriginal youth. Project activities include a workshop to be delivered in six locations around the province, information sessions at school health fairs, and the production of a brochure and pocket-sized calendar on hepatitis C, designed specifically for Aboriginal youth. Young people will be involved in each of these activities. The Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Centre and the Community Diabetes Education and Prevention Program will also be involved as project partners.

Waking Up the Neighbours: A Hepatitis C Project

Organization:	AIDS New Brunswick/SIDA Nouveau-Brunswick
Internet Site:	www.aidsnb.com

Description:

Waking Up the Neighbours is a six-month project sponsored by AIDS New Brunswick. The purpose of the project is to increase the ability of youth and injection drug users in the Fredericton area to access both health services and information about harm reduction and hepatitis C. The project has three objectives: to identify the needs of injection drug users, to develop plain-language, bilingual hepatitis C resource material, and to increase awareness of hepatitis C prevention among youth, service providers, and the general public. As part of this project, AIDS New Brunswick and its partners will conduct a needs assessment with clients of the needle exchange and the methadone treatment program. They will also develop a bilingual hepatitis C Jeopardy game, offer eight information sessions, and conduct a public awareness campaign through the local media.

Young Voices II - Youth Building Awareness Around Hepatitis C

Organization:

Canadian Liver Foundation, New Brunswick Region

Description:

Young Voices II - Youth Building Awareness Around Hepatitis C is a seven-month project of the Canadian Liver Foundation, New Brunswick Region, and a long list of partners. The purpose of the project is to reduce the spread of hepatitis C among youth in Greater Moncton. The project consists of working closely with a small group of at-risk youth in the design and implementation of a theatrical campaign aimed at the prevention of hepatitis C. The young people involved in the project will receive theatre and leadership training. They will then participate in the preparation, promotion, and delivery of theatrical presentations to group homes, shelters, youth drop-ins, soup kitchens, schools, and other places where at-risk youth can be found. Project funding will also be used to reproduce posters and postcards from a previous Young Voices project.

Youth Hepatitis Outreach Peer Education Project (Youth H.O.P.E. Project)

Organization:

John Howard Society of Greater Moncton, Inc.

Description:

The Youth Hepatitis Outreach Peer Education Project (Youth H.O.P.E. Project) is a six-month project sponsored by the John Howard Society of Greater Moncton. The purpose of the project is to prevent the spread of hepatitis C among residents of the New Brunswick Youth Centre, a detention centre for young people aged 12 to 17. Project staff will adapt the H.O.P.E. program, a peer education program developed for use in adult correctional facilities, to produce a workshop and facilitation manual suitable for at-risk youth. Youth Centre volunteers will be trained as peer educators, and will then work with others in the Centre over a two-month period. The training material will be shared with similar facilities for youth on a cost-recovery basis.

2005

• Building Capacity for Addressing Hepatitis C in First Nations Communities - Atlantic
• The Injection Steroid Project - Cape Breton, NS

Building Capacity for Addressing Hepatitis C in First Nations Communities

Organization:

Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic

Description:

Building Capacity for Addressing Hepatitis C in First Nations Communities is sponsored by Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic in partnership with Healing Our Nations, an Aboriginal organization concerned with HIV prevention in Atlantic Canada. The goal of this seven-month project is to increase knowledge about transmission and prevention of hepatitis C in First Nations communities. Project partners will review literature on hepatitis C in First Nations communities, organize a workshop in each of the three Maritime provinces, produce a brochure, and distribute information throughout First Nations communities. Results of the project will be communicated through the Healing Our Nations newsletter, the Planned Parenthood web site, and First Nations health centres around the Maritimes. The results will also be presented at regional and national conferences.

The Injection Steroid Project

Organization:	AIDS Coalition of Cape Breton
Telephone:	(902) 539-5556

Description:

The Injection Steroid Project is a six-month initiative of the AIDS Coalition of Cape Breton, in partnership with the Sharp Advice Needle Exchange (SANE) and the Hepatitis Outreach Society. The goal of the project is to reduce risk behaviour among injection steroid users in Cape Breton. The project is expected to increase understanding about the risk behaviours of injection steroid users, to increase awareness about hepatitis C among potential injection steroid users, and to increase their use of the needle exchange program. This will be done by conducting a needs assessment of injection steroid users throughout Cape Breton and subsequently delivering educational sessions to schools, colleges, and fitness centres. The project will also develop new strategies to increase the number of injection steroid users who access SANE's needle exchange services.