Archival Content: 1999-2005

Background > What is HIV Prevention Outreach?

The Outreach Contact and the Outreach Encounter

Outreach is often described through the use of two terms—contact and encounter. These terms represent different levels of interaction between an individual and a outreach worker:

• A contact is a face-to-face greeting and interaction during which materials and/or information is exchanged between an outreach worker and an individual (or small group).

• A contact can lead to an encounter, which includes a focused assessment, specific services delivered in response to the person’s identified need(s), and a planned opportunity for follow-up.

Successful contacts and encounters depend on knowing the community, building trust within the community, and achieving rapport with high-risk individuals.

• For more information on contacts and and encounters, see Defining the Components of Street Outreach for HIV Prevention: The Contact and the Encounter.

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