When I Get Out: A Healthy and Safer Lifestyle (WIGO)

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The African American Health Program (AAHP) is funded by the Montogmery County (MD) Department of Health and Human Services and operated under contract by BETAH Associated, Inc. AAHP’s mission is the elimination of health disparities, including HIV/AIDS, for African Americans/Blacks in Montgomery County. WIGO is a program designed for inmates in the Montgomery County Detention Center who are preparing to re-enter the community. This five week, six and a half hour program provides preventative health information and motivates the detainees to set goals and gain skills to navigate healthy and safer lifestyles. The curriculum covers topics on oral health, heart health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS and STDs. Demonstrations include proper tooth brushing and flossing, reading food labels, models for food portion sizes and steps in proper condom use. WIGO’s effectiveness has been measured through indicators such as identification and action plans to adopt one healthy and one safe lifestyle strategy upon return to the community, pre- and post- show of intent to get tested for HIV, evaluation feedbacks, and request from program continuation by facility authorities.