Project START is a 6-session individual-level intervention for people soon to be released from prison. It incorporates features of prevention, case management, motivational interviewing, and incremental risk reduction.

Focusing on the provision of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis education and skills training as well as the development of self-identified risk-reduction goals, the program also determines individual reentry needs and provides referrals for housing, employment, finances, substance abuse, mental health treatment, and legal issues.

Centerforce was one of four research sites funded in 1999 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and pilot-test an HIV prevention intervention for young men leaving incarcerated settings.

When the trial findings showed that Project START was effective at reducing the HIV-related risk behaviors among this population, Centerforce was chosen to lead a team to “package” the program for nationwide replication. Today, START is the only corrections-based Effective Behavioral Intervention (EBI) designated and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for use across the United States.

Project START is funded by the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Prevention Program Branch. Centerforce provides the program at San Quentin State Prison, Central California Women’s Facility, and Valley State Prison for Women.