Immunology: Method Hones Tolerance of Tissue Transplants Achievements: HSPH Deans Host State of the School Address and Forum Endocrinology: Protein Pegged to Onset of Puberty Pathology: Mouse Model of Alzheimer's May Clarify Brain Degeneration Milestone Symposia: Symposium Explores Cell Cycle and Cancer National Meetings: BioSecurity 2003 Sounds Alarm on Continuing Threats Protein Linked to Major Cause of Mental Retardation Found to Regulate Gene Affecting Growth of Neurons Protein Appears Crucial to Left-Right Asymmetry   HMS, Blue Cross Lead Health Care Cost-effectiveness Project HMS Appointments to Full Professorships IOM Taps Three from HMS eCommons Expands Search Capabilities, Offers Resume System Milestone Series to Explore Molecular Sensing Nominations Sought for Distinguished Biostatistics Alum Nominations Sought for 2004 Marvin Zelen Leadership Award Honors and Advances News Brief   Boston HAPPENS Helps Young People at Risk for HIV   Medical Ed Day Sees Curriculum in Motion   Front Page

IN THE COMMUNITY Boston HAPPENS Helps Young People At Risk for HIV Boston HAPPENS, an acronym for the Boston HIV Adolescent Provider and Peer Education Network for Services, is a multi-agency network providing care and support for HIV-infected, homeless, or at-risk young people, ages 12 to 24, in the metropolitan Boston area. Based at the Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine Program at Children's Hospital, Boston HAPPENS is the lead agency for the Boston Adolescent Medicine Trials Unit of the new NIH-funded national multicenter Adolescent Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions. Since its inception in 1993, the program has helped more than 2,000 adolescents and young adults. The program provides mental health and case management services, HIV counseling and testing, and comprehensive health care. According to Cathryn Samples, the Children's Hospital-based clinical director of Boston HAPPENS, "Much of what we also do is consciousness-raising: bringing awareness to youth, parents, and health care providers of the risks of contracting HIV. We provide an open door; a frank discussion of the risk of transmission by unprotected sex; and easy access to, and normalization of, testing for sexually active and other at-risk youth." In addition, Boston HAPPENS conducts HIV treatment trials and behavioral and prevention research through the Adolescent Trials Network. The populations most affected within the age group served by the program are young women of color and young men who have sex with men, said Samples. In tandem with a need for research is the provision of preventative care, education, and treatment in community settings. Samples explained: "We are increasing our understanding of what is effective in community organizations and programs that are working to prevent HIV. These are the community organizations that we want to assist and learn from. We are especially interested in working with groups that are helping those youth and young adults who are most at risk." Boston HAPPENS is also interested in collaborating with HMS faculty members. Those interested should contact Elizabeth Donahue, program coordinator, at 617-355-8496. --Jamae Kawauchi