Diffusion of Evidence Based HIV Behavioral Interventions - Street Smart

Street Smart Overview

Street Smart is a standardized and packaged HIV/AIDS and STD prevention program originally designed for runaway and homeless youth, but has been adapted for a variety of populations. It is a multi-session, skills-building program to help runaway and homeless youth ages 11 to 18 practice safer sexual behaviors and reduce substance use. Group-level sessions address improving youths' social skills, assertiveness and coping strategies through exercises on problem solving, identifying triggers, and reducing risky behaviors that may lead to HIV infection.

Participants of organizations that have implemented Street Smart have reported a decrease in their number of unprotected sex acts, number of sex partners, and substance use. The intervention is based on the Social Learning Theory, which links feelings, attitudes, and thoughts to behavior change.

Street Smart is conducted over a six- to eight-week period with 10-12 youth. The program consists of eight 90 to 120 minute group sessions, one individual session, and one group visit to a community resource. Each session has specific goals on HIV/AIDS, STDs, pregnancy prevention, coping and negotiation skills, personalized risk behaviors and reducing drug and alcohol use. Group members participate in scripted and non-scripted role plays, activities, and video production.

Is It Effective?
Street Smart is an evidence-based behavioral intervention. This means it was tested and found to be effective, through two different processes; first in the original research and then again, in a replication process where it was pilot tested in community-based agencies. The research shows that Street Smart is effective in helping youth reduce their HIV and STD risks by reducing participants’ substance use and number of unprotected sex acts.

Is It Right for My Agency?
Street Smart has been used across the United States in various settings with many different populations. The feedback from implementing agencies has been overwhelmingly positive. Both staff and participating youth love the program Street Smart may be right for your agency if you:

• Have access to youth (ages 11-18) who are at risk for HIV/STD
• Have at least one staff person with experience with group facilitation, HIV/STD prevention and serving youth.
• Have space to conduct group sessions

To learn more about Street Smart and register for the next training, click on links below, email Kenneth Neal Shults, Senior Management Consultant or call 646 619-6504.