Affiliations: The Matrix Center@Horizon House, Inc., 120 S. 30th
St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Karen Escovitz, M.S.S., Project
Director, The Matrix Center@Horizon House, Inc., 120 S. 30th St., Philadelphia,
PA 19104, USA. Tel.: +1 215 386 3838 ext. 389; Fax: +1 215 386 4854; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Project KEEP, a 3-year Special Demonstration Project, was charged
with identifying effective employment service strategies for people living with
HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia, PA. Strategic outreach was done to ensure that
participants would reflect the demographics of HIV/AIDS in urban settings.
Individualized employment services, based in principles of psychosocial
rehabilitation, were provided to 148 individuals. Longitudinal data were
collected to track services, employment experiences, disclosure, self-reported
health measures, and quality of life. This paper discusses the results of the
project, giving particular attention to the strong employment outcomes and the
value of "rapid-attachment", intensive support once working, and the impact
of work on self-reported quality of life. Implications for service delivery as
well as directions for future services research are discussed.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, employment, people of color, multiple barriers
