Enrollment of HIV+ foster children in clinical trials

[Tim Ross <tross@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi List,

I am leading a project that is exploring issues related to the enrollment of
HIV+ foster children in clinical trials in New York City from 1988 to 2001.
Part of our charge is to interview youth who participated in clinical
trials. 

I am interested in hearing ideas about the best way to contact these youth.
The IRB and legal issues surrounding this task are intricate and extremely
sensitive: we cannot disclose either HIV or foster care status and the
organization where I work, the Vera Institute of Justice, is publicly
identified with this project.  Thus, a mail-based contact strategy is not
possible (and probably wouldn't be all that effective anyway). 

We have some outreach strategies which include consulting with medical and
other service providers, but I would be grateful for any suggestions for how
to sensitively and effectively reach out to the youth involved.  

Thanks in advance,


Tim Ross, Ph.D.
Research Director (on assignment)
Vera Institute of Justice 
233 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY  10279
Voice: 212-376-3139
Fax: 212-941-9407
www.vera.org/research