Transgender Women Engagement and Entry to Care (T.W.E.E.T.) is an evidence-informed intervention that engages transgender women into HIV care through peer-led health education groups, leadership opportunities, supportive services, and community building. In collaboration with HIV experts and community members, E2i adapted T.W.E.E.T. for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) and produced a toolkit that provides the resources needed to implement T.W.E.E.T. within RWHAP settings and other HIV care organizations.
Goals
To engage transgender women with HIV in HIV medical care and supportive services
To improve the quality of life and HIV-related health outcomes of transgender women
Priority Population
Transgender women who are:
Newly diagnosed with HIV,
Currently not engaged in HIV care, or
At risk of falling out of HIV care.
Core Elements
1. Peer Leaders
T.W.E.E.T. clients who complete at least five TL-Teach Back sessions can become Peer Leaders who facilitate one or more sessions themselves. Peer Leaders inspire other transgender women with HIV to adopt health-seeking behaviors.
2. TL-Teach Back Sessions
TL-Teach Back sessions are group education and discussion sessions on five health and wellness topics relevant to transgender women
3. Community Building
T.W.E.E.T. clients build support networks during group sessions
T.W.E.E.T. staff form partnerships with local community organizations
4. Supportive Services
T.W.E.E.T. clients receive help with linkage and engagement in HIV care and supportive services, such as legal aid, housing assistance, financial assistance, and behavioral health care
Duration
Five weekly TL-Teach Back sessions per cycle
Settings
HIV primary care settings, or
Community-based organization or AIDS service organizations that link directly to HIV primary care
Toolkit Components
This Guide includes:
How to plan and implement the intervention
Lessons learned during implementation in RWHAP settings
A Spanish version of the Implementation Guide iscoming soon!
Watch an instructional dramatization of how to deliver T.W.E.E.T. to clients.
Download a poster and brochure that explain T.W.E.E.T. and its benefits for clients. You can add your organization's contact information to these materials and distribute them in your clinic.
