International AIDS Society Global Village Conference 2024 Workshop

Overview

Session Type: 90-minute Workshop
Category: Stigma and Discrimination
Special Feature: Global Village Consideration
Key Audiences: Community Health Workers, Peer Educators, Community Advocates
Level: Foundational
Presenters:

• Shirlene Cooper ([email protected])
• Michael Hager ([email protected])

Short Session Description

Many who serve the HIV community strive to meet people where they are in their care journey and work to accomplish individualized goals. We forget to focus on simple things for distressed people: goal setting, self-affirmation, pursuing curiosity, and stable living situations. Self, Taught, Empowerment, and Wellness (STEW) brings people along in their patient activation journeys. Humans have personal agency driven by hopes, dreams, fears, and traumas. When confronted with life-altering changes, most need help finding their way back to themselves. HIV programs often overlook the fact that clients may have different health goals than those suggested by academic literature.

Format and Methodology

We will provide an overview of the STEW program’s approach and goals, then demonstrate several core components. STEW equips participants with tools to self-reflect, self-discover, and self-direct their growth daily and outside clinical settings. With simple one-word self-devotional plans, participants can find their voice, becoming equal partners in their healthcare. Attendees will learn how to champion client goals incrementally to foster effective goal-setting. STEW also helps participants identify broader life goals—such as employment or sharing experiences in diverse settings—and guides them toward getting involved in HIV service planning.

Learning Objectives

• List common reasons why people in the HIV community may not be fully involved in their own healthcare.
• Describe the STEW framework components.
• Explain how STEW “ingredients” can be adapted to meet individual needs.
• Identify ways to integrate STEW (or similar approaches) into workforce or staff training.

Why STEW Matters

• Addresses Stigma at Its Core: By focusing on self-discovery and daily empowerment, STEW helps reduce internal and external stigma.
• Promotes True Patient Activation: STEW emphasizes each individual’s personal goals, not just clinical targets.
• Fosters Community Impact: Equipping participants with reflection and advocacy tools can transform entire communities.

Join Us

Be part of a dynamic 90-minute workshop at the International AIDS Society Global Village Conference 2024 to discover how STEW empowers individuals and breaks down barriers. Learn how to adapt and implement STEW in your own programs, fostering a more inclusive, person-centered approach to HIV care.