Agencies should adapt CRCS to suit the organization and population served, but the seven core elements of CRCS should be present in all CRCS programs. The following includes a description of some of the ways these core elements may differ among agencies. However, two approaches characterize all good programs and are the foundation for all CRCS activities –
- A focus on addressing contextual factors that contribute to HIV risk
- The client-centered approach
| There has been some confusion in the past about the use of the term “client-centered” to help define the intervention. In CRCS, being client centered refers to paying attention to the client’s needs and abilities regarding risk reduction. It is NOT intended to mean that the client can focus on any issues that they want to forever. If the client wants to talk about a childhood event week after week and does not want to discuss his or her needs around risk reduction, the client should be referred for mental health counseling. Thus, you should interpret “client-centered” in the context of CRCS – it is a program designed to help clients reduce their HIV risk behaviors, so most of the focus should be on these conversations and on factors related to risk.
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The 7 core elements of CRCS discussed below, are not always separate steps in providing CRCS, but we present them as separate topics in this Manual in order to describe them.
You’ll find some components are needed most of the time during CRCS. For example, ‘engagement,’ listed in Part 1, is nevertheless an on-going feature of the client-counselor relationship.
Part 1: Recruiting and engaging clients
Part 2: Screening, enrolling, and assessing clients
Part 3: Developing a prevention plan
Part 4: HIV risk reduction counseling
Part 5: Referrals and active coordination of services with follow-up
Part 6: Monitoring client progress and ongoing needs
Part 7: Discharge and maintenance
Go to section 2 part 1A
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Link to a PDF document
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Link to non-CDC Web site
