CHOICES Transitions

CCA serves people in prison and on parole, in state and county correctional facilities in Central New York and downstate, as well as their families, partners and friends to reduce the risk of AIDS and to assist people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. In addition, CCA designed Women's CHOICES Transitions, a program specifically for incarcerated women in the Onondaga County correctional facilities.

The CHOICES services for people in state prisons include risk reduction education, peer educator training, anonymous HIV counseling and testing services, support groups and discharge planning assistance for inmates who are reaching their parole release dates. Discharge planning staff will assist people in prison in securing residence, medical care, support services, employment assistance and developing a plan for their release. Case management services offer an extensive assessment of individual needs. Service specialists are available to refer clients to relevant services and advocate on behalf of clients when necessary. Peer educators, who may be program graduates or community members, are trained to provide information and prevention education in their communities.

Referrals to this program can come from medical staff, institutional parole officers, pre-release counselors may refer people in prison for discharge planning services, and community-based organizations as well as people in prison can request services directly by writing to CCA.