Circle of Life: Native American HIV Prevention Curriculum

Circle of Life: Native American HIV Prevention Curriculum

Principal Investigator: Sally M. Davis, Ph.D.
Coordinator: Theresa Clay, M.S.
Start and End Dates: 12/9/02 – 06/30/05
Sources of Funding: New Mexico Department of Education School Health Unit

The Prevention Research Center (PRC) in partnership with the State Department of Education (SDE) School Health Unit is implementing a culturally appropriate school-based health intervention program on HIV/AIDS and STD’s. This project is conducted through the schools in American Indian communities, specifically at 19 Pueblos in New Mexico. The program consists of three steps: first, a train-the-trainer series; second, these individuals will conduct sessions to prepare the teachers to use the Circle of Life prevention curriculum; and third, they in turn will then utilize these training materials and knowledge in their school classrooms.

Four Prevention Research Center staff and one consultant were selected and trained as the cadre of trainers by the developer of the Circle of Life curriculum. Training sessions were held for this group in mid-February to prepare them in the Circle of Life Middle School curriculum by national trainer, Edwin Schupman, from Seattle, Washington. The project staff then began contacting middle schools that serve the 19 Pueblos to schedule training sessions for teachers. The teachers who attend these training sessions will then teach the prevention curriculum to their middle school students.

The commitment and hard work of the Circle of Life team and the teachers who are being trained are key factors in promoting the success of the program. An evaluation of the project is being conducted during both the preparation and implementation phases, and these results will be available at the end of the project.

For further information about this project, please contact Sally Davis, PhD at (505) 272-4462 or sdavis@salud.unm.edu.