Services
Gender Based Violence
South Africa continues to be plagued with high levels of GBV and femicide, and remains high up on the list of countries that are perilous for woman. GBV remains a key driver in the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. CCP believes that through prevention education geared at behaviour change and post violence care families and communities can break the cycle.
Community Care Project responds to GBV in two ways, namely prevention education geared at behaviour change and post violence care for survivors of GBV
Prevention Education
Community dialogues are conducted at war rooms, schools and health facilities to change harmful attitudes and promote protective family and community norms.
Structured intervention programmes (Vhutshilo 2 and Stepping Stones) conducted in high schools aimed at both boys and girls.
Home visits for learner identified to be at risk of GBV to observe the mental stability of individuals and families, and the use of screening tools to conduct risk assessment of beneficiaries and/or families who are exposed to the escalation of GBV.
Post-Violence Care
Provide survivors of violence with comprehensive post-violence care services in at the Thuthuzela Care Centres and other post-violence care facilities in communities.
Reduce vulnerability to HIV by supporting survivors in accessing post exposure prophylaxis timeously and increase access to psychosocial support services for victims of sexual violence.
Home visits to observe the mental stability of individuals and families, and the use of screening tools to conduct risk assessments of beneficiaries and/or families who are exposed to the escalation of GBV.
Ongoing psychosocial support is also conducted through follow-up, monitoring and evaluation to ensure stability and a sense of balanced well-being.
HIV Testing Services (Index Testing)
Through collaborative referrals and partnerships, CCP identifies at-risk individuals, including siblings of children and adolescents living with HIV, children of caregivers with living with HIV, and those from Key Populations, for targeted HIV index testing.
Utilizing various methods, such as school-based testing through district service provider TBHIV Care during Prep Linkage and home-based testing by trained CCP Caseworkers.
This initiative is a vital part of case management, and assists to uncover undiagnosed cases among children and adolescents living with HIV and ensure their prompt linkage to care.
Support/Linkage to ART Initiation and Re-Initiation
CCP prioritizes newly identified HIV-positive children and adolescents, those new to treatment, facing poor viral suppression, or experiencing treatment interruptions. Through HIV Testing Services, CCP identifies new cases, with special attention to index testing, linking them to ART through facility referrals.
Newly initiated ART beneficiaries are connected to youth-friendly services within facilities, receiving support through routine follow-ups, ART Adherence Counselling, and participation in support groups.
Viral Monitoring Load Tracking (Home Visits)
CCP collaborates with DSP's and healthcare facilities to monitors viral loads for children and adolescents living with HIV (C/ALHIV). Identifying clients with unsuppressed viral loads, encouraging suppression through family-centered interventions, optimized regimens, Case Conferencing, disclosure, psychosocial support, ART adherence assistance, and linkage to support groups.
Teaming up with youth champions and Community Care Groups (CCGs), CCP traces and fast-tracks lost to follow-up or missed appointment clients for prompt return to care and support toward achieving viral suppression.
Additionally, CCP actively promotes "U=U" (Undetectable = Untransmittable) messaging for epidemic control and preventing vertical transmission.
Family Centered Service: Adherence Support/ HIV Treatment Literacy for CLHIV
CCP actively prevents treatment interruptions for Children Living with HIV (CLHIV) through routine ART adherence assessments and counseling. Employing various case management approaches, CCP provides targeted support to address adherence barriers.
CCP Caseworkers monitor mental health, addressing issues like anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse, nutritional challenges, through, established support systems, and linkages to peer support groups and program services. Specialized support is extended to new mothers and caregivers of pediatric patients transitioning to optimized regimens.
Case Conferencing for the Virally Un-Suppressed
Through a strong collaborative relationship with DSPs, CCP is able to receive referrals for un-suppressed clients.
CCP conducts case conferences using a multi-disciplinary approach, collaborating with stakeholders like HST, clinicians, doctors, social workers, dieticians, caseworkers, caregivers, and beneficiaries. The aim is to review and determine the root causes of unsuppressed viral loads, and to find solutions for achieving viral suppression.
Supported Family Centered Disclosure
CCP identifies beneficiaries without age-appropriate disclosure through counseling and referrals. Collaborating with CLHIV, primary caregivers, and relatives, CCP facilitates family-centered disclosure to address stigma and create a safe space for sharing.
Pre-disclosure counseling occurs at homes and, when appropriate, at facilities. Skilled caseworkers conduct disclosure sessions in safe spaces, enhancing caregiver-child relationships and linking to peer support groups (Vhutshilo 3, KIDZ Alive), and providing access to youth-friendly services. CCP tailors disclosure for each beneficiary, ensuring a conducive and safe space, and conducts follow-up post-disclosure to support the child and caregiver.
Monitoring & Support / HIV Testing for HIV Exposed Infants/Toddlers (<2 years)
CCP identifies HIV-positive pregnant teen mothers and those with infants under 2 years through household visits and links with antenatal clinics at DOH and municipal facilities. CCP prioritizes early infant diagnostic testing (EID), ensuring coverage by two months and 12 months of age. CCP supports sites in achieving EID testing for HIV-exposed infants and ensures linkage to ART initiation for positive results.
CCP provides comprehensive care for infants, including ARV prophylaxis for those at risk of vertical transmission, routine visits, immunization, growth monitoring, and guidance on infant feeding practices.
Facilitate Delivery of ARVs to Beneficiaries
CCP collaborates with HST and Facilities to identify children and adolescents living with HIV (C/ALHIV) who are at risk of treatment interruption due to difficulties in reaching the Facilities for treatment collection. CCP facilitates the delivery of treatment to the homes of clients. Additionally, CCP offers ART Adherence assessment and counselling support. They work to identify and address the barriers that prevent these individuals from collecting and adhering to treatment. The aim is not to foster dependence, but to promote self-care.
Vhutshilo 3 Support Groups
CCP establishes evidence-based support groups for children and adolescents living with HIV (C/ALHIV) using the Vhutshilo 3 curriculum. Organized by narrow age ranges, these groups address psychosocial and clinical needs in community and facility settings, facilitating a smooth transition into adult care.
Facilitated by trained CCP Caseworkers, the peer support groups ensure vital linkages to HIV clinical services, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, OVC programs, and relevant services. Sessions promote adherence and wellness, providing a safe space for participants to share experiences, covering topics like grief, loss, disclosure, and building support systems.
STI Screening
CCP integrates STI screening into various services for sexually active beneficiaries, using a screening tool to identify and refer symptomatic clients to health facilities. Collaborating with DSPs and Facilities, CCP facilitates linkages to care.
For clients aged 15-24, CCP promotes sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning and STI screening, during one-on-one sessions at home and site visits. Strengthening linkages to Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services, CCP advocates for safe sex practices, emphasizing dual protection methods and providing essential information on accessing youth-friendly services for family planning and HIV testing.
PrEP Linkage and PrEP Adherence Assessment and Counselling Support
CCP focuses on girls aged 15-24, specifically targeting those at risk of HIV, including sexually active females and HIV-negative pregnant teens. Identified clients receive quarterly one-on-one interactions, linking them to PrEP services through referrals to TBHIVCARE and Prep Facilities.
PrEP promotion is integrated into services like HIV testing, STI screening, and family planning during home visits. CCP ensures support for AGYW on PrEP through adherence counseling for retention.
Clients receive routine follow-ups, and CCP collaborates with TBHIVCARE to extend PrEP refills to a three-month supply for individuals using PrEP for more than three
Condom Promotion and Provision
CCP identifies sexually active adolescents and youths aged 15 and above, including those under 15, using interventions like HIV Testing Services, Vhutshilo 3, Let's Talk Teens, and one-on-one sessions. The aim is to promote condom use and provide education on proper usage, aligning with guidelines from the Department of Health and Department of Basic Education. CCP also ensures cultural sensitivity in condom distribution, respecting the cultural norms of caregivers and the community.
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)
CCP collaborates with the Department of Health and municipal facilities to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission. Focusing on Antenatal Clinics, CCP addresses gaps in prevention for pregnant teens who present late to care.
CCP identifies and supports HIV-positive pregnant teens, ensuring ART adherence and viral load suppression. Post-delivery, CCP assists with breastfeeding guidelines, HIV testing for infants, and mental health support. The partnership with facilities connects teen mothers to youth-friendly services, including peer support groups. High-risk HIV-negative teens are linked to Prep services and relevant support programs for prevention.
Immunization
CCP collaborates with Municipal and DOH facilities to enhance outreach and promote immunization services for infants and children aged 0-2 years.
The goal is to diminish child mortality and combat diseases like polio, smallpox, measles, and other childhood illnesses.
Through home visits, CCP engages with caregivers to ensure infants stay on schedule for immunization services. This involves monitoring and assessing Road to Health Charts, offering counseling, and tracking immunization appointments. CCP promptly addresses missed appointments and directs caregivers back to their nearest local health facilities for immunization services
Monitor/Support Developmental Milestones
CCP conducts home and community visits to monitor developmental milestones for CLHIV under 7 years. This includes engaging caregivers, direct observation, and assessing Road to Health charts for physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. CCP identifies CLHIV not meeting milestones and supports them through referrals. Collaboration with caregivers ensures adherence to guidelines, fostering a hygienic, safe environment. This service integrates with ECD and household stimulation activities, connecting CLHIV to ECD centers or offering household support if not enrolled.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening; Diagnosis and Treatment
CCP aims to enhance TB case finding for OVC, especially C/ALHIV, by ensuring thorough TB screening and facilitating diagnoses through referrals to facilities. Using the Department of Health-aligned screening tool, CCP screens beneficiaries for TB symptoms. Priority is given to quarterly screening of HIV positive beneficiaries, with semi-annual screening for non-CLHIV beneficiaries as risks are identified. CCP diligently tracks referrals, provides TB adherence support, and conducts home visits for compliance.