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Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA)
Provider map, contacts and other information on Florida's TOPWA program.

The Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA) program was funded by the Legislature in 1998 to reach high-risk or HIV-infected pregnant women not receiving adequate prenatal care.  The purpose of the program is to lower the number of babies born with prenatal drug exposure and HIV infection.  TOPWA projects are currently in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Duval, St. Lucie, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.  Projects provide HIV testing and pregnancy testing for women who are not sure of their pregnancy status.  Women receive HIV prevention education and are assisted with substance abuse evaluations and treatment when needed.  Pregnant women who are HIV infected are educated in the benefits of taking prescribed antiretroviral to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to their infants.

Emphasis is placed on the provision of peer-based, culturally sensitive, non-judgmental outreach.  TOPWA service providers are community-based organizations experienced in conducting outreach in their local area.  Services are directed toward pregnant women not receiving prenatal care, and who are at risk for delivering a substance-exposed or HIV-infected baby.  Outreach is conducted in specific venues where eligible clients may be found such as Laundromats, beauty salons, parks, bars, etc.  Relationships are developed with leaders in the communities such as business owners, religious leaders or other persons who are trusted by local residents.  Collaborative agreements and reciprocal referral processes are established with providers such as Healthy Start, Children’s Medical Services, drug treatment centers and the local county health department, to name a few. 

Each woman contacted through outreach is offered on-site HIV testing, education on HIV transmission and risk, and prevention materials.  Those who are pregnant and in need of prenatal care or a drug abuse evaluation are considered eligible for the TOPWA program.  Eligible women receive an assessment to determine their level of risk for HIV or substance abuse exposure.  The dangers of drug use during pregnancy is explained and women who are actively using are assisted in getting a chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, if warranted. 

Pregnant TOPWA clients are linked to prenatal care and other services such as Medicaid, Healthy Start other social service programs.  Transportation to appointments through providing bus passes or actually giving the client a ride is one of the services offered through TOPWA.  Referrals are tracked to ensure completion and clients are followed through the birth of the infant to ensure they continue to access services.  TOPWA providers effectively use incentives to enroll clients into the program and ensure continued participation.  Baby Showers are held for enrolled pregnant women at which they receive gifts and hear information on pregnancy, childbirth and caring for their infant.  HIV-infected pregnant women will receive the highest priority from the TOPWA program to ensure that they have the support they need to have a healthy baby.

TOPWA Provider Map (ppt, 82.5kb) PowerPoint map showing location of TOPWA providers in Florida.

TOPWA Program Providers (pdf, 19.9kb) Contacts for TOPWA programs, by county.

TOPWA Program "Data-at-a-Glance" (pdf, 179kb)

Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS
1-880-352-2437
1-888-503-7118 (TDY)
1-800-545-SIDA (Spanish)
1-800-AIDS-101 (Creole)