J-RISE Project
Project Background
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Individuals impacted by the criminal legal system are particularly vulnerable to HIV and often struggle to get HIV prevention and care services that they need. They are also more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, or engaged in the informal economy, which increases their likelihood of becoming reincarcerated.
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Interventions to support people regardless of HIV status (also called “status-neutral”) are a promising practice to improve access to HIV prevention and treatment services. Status-neutral interventions are a holistic or whole person approach to delivering services to address barriers to HIV services (like employment, transportation) experienced by individuals who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.
While status-neutral interventions show promise in improving access to HIV prevention and care services, they have not yet been rigorously evaluated. It is important to build this evidence base, and document implementation strategies that can improve success among this population.
The status-neutral interventions for J-RISE are designed to improve HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and/or employment-related outcomes among adults living with or vulnerable to HIV who have been impacted by the criminal legal system. These interventions include:
Transitional case management. Case managers will support access to HIV care, prevention, and supportive services.
Employment navigation. Case managers will support employment, training, and career development goals.
Contingency management. Interventionists will provide financial incentives for the achievement of specific HIV prevention, care, and treatment-related milestones.
Employer outreach and support. Interventionists will provide education and outreach to local employers and staffing agencies to support the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals.
J-RISE will be implemented in three Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) jurisdictions: Cook County, IL; Baton Rouge, LA; and New Orleans, LA.
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The goal of this project is to learn more about the benefits of the bundled interventions, and to understand how they can be implemented successfully in a variety of contexts. The success of the J-RISE project will build evidence for upstream approaches to improving HIV, PrEP, and employment related outcomes among individuals who have been impacted by the criminal legal system. We anticipate results in 2028
Study Sites
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The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination (CCHE) is a J-RISE implementation site in Chicago, Illinois. CCHE is located in Chicago’s HIV epicenter and operates within the University of Chicago main campus. With many of Chicago’s communities with the highest HIV diagnosis rates in close proximity to the center, CCHE is uniquely positioned to advance HIV testing and prevention initiatives for those with and without HIV. Rather than adopting the traditional approaches of HIV prevention that center the individual and their behaviors, CCHE activities focus on networks, communities, and other large social dynamics. CCHE maintains several core values to ground their work, including accountability, anti-racism, cultural humility, ethics, harm reduction, mental wellness, and pro-Blackness.
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CARP's mission, goals, and vision are deeply entrenched in the practice of Trauma-Informed Care. The principles of Trauma-Informed Care include prioritizing safety, building trustworthiness and transparency, providing peer support, fostering collaboration, empowering individuals, and demonstrating humility. We uphold these principles by ensuring that our guests feel respected and supported at all times. This entails maintaining healthy interpersonal boundaries among staff members and handling conflicts appropriately. We also ensure consistency in schedules and procedures, providing ample notice and preparation when changes are necessary. Communication within our organization is consistently open, respectful, and compassionate. Moreover, we acknowledge and respect how an individual's cultural background influences their perceptions of trauma, safety, and privacy.
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Frontline Legal Services (FLS) an implementation site located in New Orleans, Louisiana. FLS is a community-based organization that provides legal and policy support for those involved in public health and human rights crises and the Louisiana and Georgia areas. FLS provides case management, health education, and social, legal, and risk reduction services for those living with HIV/AIDS. Through the implementation of quality programs and services, they aim to support people living with HIV in actualizing their own power.
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NORC at the University of Chicago manages J-RISE operations. NORC’s activities include coordinating implementation site collaboration, leading community advisor board meetings and operations calls with staff, staff training, assessing site readiness for implementation, and assisting with enrollment and informed consent processes. NORC also contributes to data-related efforts, including survey instrument design, survey administration, data management, and data analysis.
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Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois provides methodological and analytic oversight for the study, ensuring that the data we collect are able to answer our study questions and achieve our research goals.
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Nefuse is a community organization that provides case management services in Chicago, IL.
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
About CAB
Study teams often seek community input into the research process through Community Advisory Boards (CABs). The J-RISE research team engaged 8 to 10 community members with relevant expertise—including individuals with experience providing HIV-related services, knowledge of community resources, and/or lived experience with HIV and the criminal legal system—to serve as CAB members. These members offer valuable insights on scientific, ethical, and operational aspects of the study, including design, participant recruitment, and protections for study participants. Additionally, CAB members contribute to the review of data collection instruments, advised on implementation strategies, helped interpret research findings, and provided ongoing feedback grounded in their lived experience.
The success of the J-RISE study depends upon active participation by the communities involved in the study. Including community members at all levels of the study helps build trust and mutual understanding of study goals and ensures that participants’ values and cultural differences are respected. The CAB can also help strengthen local capacity to respond to critical research needs in the future. Each of the study sites have selected three to four members from their local community to participate in the CAB and meet every two months.
CAB Members
While the full board includes 8–10 members, only those who have given explicit permission are listed below by name.
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Sista Yaa Simpson
Yaa Simpson (AKA Sista Yaa) is a Community Epidemiologist for TACTS- (The Association of Clinical Trials Services, nfp) and for the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). A one-of-a kind, Community Epidemiologist that has continually advocated for Health Equity among Black Chicagoans for the past 30 plus years. Using data analysis, she has written several epidemiological data profiles and case studies which demonstrate the inequitable health outcomes of Blacks as compared with non-Blacks. She was also recognized by former Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot as coauthor of the Epidemiological Data Book entitled ‘The State of Health for Blacks Living in Chicago’. The book, published by CDPH in 2021, is the first of its kind. (See PDF www.Chicago.org/BlackHealth)
Sista Yaa has been a public health practitioner for more than 32 years, with 23 years as an epidemiologist. Receptiant of numerous awards, 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, HPTN HIV Community Advocate, and other Advocate awards. She serves as a board member for the National Black Agenda Consortium of Chicago, Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare. Equity, Transforming Re-Entry Services and is a current board member for the Michael Reese Health Trust. She holds a Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois Chicago. She also holds an Associate’s of Applied Science from the Community College of AIR FORCE Surgical Service Technology and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Epidemiology. She is a wife, mother, aunt, sister, friend, and spiritual being having a human experience. “I am a COMMUNITY EPIDEMIOLOGIST who brings the research to the community like a griot who brings news to the village!!!”
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Bryant Turner
Hi, I’m Bryant Turner a Hospitality Ambassador for the city of New Orleans for 25+ years. My passion is providing a memorable experience for all visitors that comes to the city of New Orleans. Bryant is a graduate of Delgado Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Hospitality Science. He’s been married for 30+ years to his life partner.
When I’m not working, I loved to spend time with family and friends around the kitchen table. My favorite hobbies is traveling the world to explore different cultures and food. Some of the countries he has visited is China, South Africa, Europe, Colombia and Central America.
Kyra Kincaid
“With over two decades of personal experience living with HIV and a robust career spanning various sectors of public health, Kyra brings a unique perspective to her role as a Clinical Research Coordinator at OCHSNER Health. Her journey began as a passionate advocate within community-based organizations, where she tirelessly worked to raise awareness and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Transitioning into roles within the Department of Health provided her with invaluable insights into policymaking and program implementation. Now, at OCHSNER Health, she is dedicated to advancing research initiatives that aim to improve the lives of other transgender women. Her commitment to this cause is deeply rooted in her personal journey and fueled by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the field of HIV/AIDS research and care.”