Research Studies Enrolling Social Workers
Topic: Future Care & Custody Planning With HIV Affected Families*

Future care and custody planning activities include the disclosure of HIV to children, the identification of a guardian, involve legal planning, and necessitate arrangements for respite care if the HIV affected parent is unable to care for the children. Social workers typically are asked to provide these psycho-educational, counseling, and advocacy services for their HIV affected clients. Social workers are often the front line professionals in social service agencies, hospitals, and outpatient clinics where HIV infected individuals and families seek assistance. However, the training needs of social workers regarding the continuous care and custody of children in HIV affected families have not yet been formally evaluated.

Two (2) research studies are currently enrolling volunteers. Both studies are funded by The City University of New York, and have been approved by the Institutional Review Board at York College. The information will be kept confidential, and will be used to inform educators involved in social work curriculum and training. Each study is described below.

Eligibility: Eligible volunteers include all New York State social workers currently providing services to HIV infected individuals or affected families.

Study # 1: Survey
A questionnaire on the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of social workers regarding future care & custody needs of HIV affected families will be mailed to the volunteer’s home or office.

Incentive: $10 cash

TO ENROLL, SEND YOUR ADDRESS TO DR. SUSAN LETTENEY
(718) 262-2614
letteney@york.cuny.edu

Study # 2: Interview
A semi-structured interview will be conducted and audio taped. Questions will explore
1) Knowledge-current knowledge of HIV, transmission, antiretroviral treatment, treatment adherence, diagnosis disclosure, standby guardianship, existing resources, 2) Attitudes-positive and negative moral attitudes toward future care and custody planning, beliefs about whether or not parents should disclose, and 3) Behavior-services provided, initiation of discussions about disclosure, respite care, guardianship, etc.

Incentive: $25 cash

TO ENROLL, CONTACT DR. SUSAN LETTENEY
(718) 262-2614
letteney@york.cuny.edu

*This research is supported by PSC-CUNY Grant # 64608-00-33, the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, and the York College President’s Incentive Award to Faculty Sponsored Research.