Frontline Legal Services is collaborating with Dr. Russell Brewer, DrPH, MPH from the University of Chicago Medicine and the NIH to conduct a research study called J-RISE: Relevant Implementation Strategies to Eliminate the social and structural barriers to HIV services among Justice-involved BMSM. 

We agree to serve as a community partner for the study focused on evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of two packaged status neutral interventions within justice and community settings to improve HIV, PrEP, and employment-related outcomes among justice-involved BMSM. 

As a community implementation/intervention site in New Orleans, Frontline Legal Services agrees to support the proposed study in a number of ways: 1) recruit and enroll 100 eligible participants; 2) provide the packaged status neutral interventions (i.e., transitional case management, employment navigation, contingency management, and employer outreach and support) for enrolled participants; 3) participate in data collection and reporting activities; 4) contribute to results dissemination; and 5) participate in the planned implementation activities (e.g., learning collaborative, trainings, etc.).

Christal Hurst

Employment Outreach Specialist

Christal Hurst works as contract paralegal, assisting clients across the state with Social Security Disability/SSI, specifically assisting incarcerated clients within 180 days of release. Ms. Hurst has 14 years experience as a paralegal, specializing in Disability, Housing/Employment Discrimination and Estate Planning.

Rachel A. Clements

Rachel A. Clements is the Employee Engagement Specialist and a Case Manager for Frontline Legal Services.

A New Orleans native, Rachel received her bachelor’s degree in Philosophy Pre Law from Loyola University New Orleans.

With a background in legal marketing and a passion for community activism, Rachel hopes to bring awareness to and to dispel the various socioeconomic biases that people living with HIV face in the employment sector. 

Ivy Mathis

Health Navigator

I was sentenced to life in prison as a teenager and spent 26 years behind bars before my release in December 2018, becoming the first woman in Louisiana paroled under reformed juvenile life sentencing laws. While incarcerated, I earned my GED, graduated from culinary arts and drama programs, and developed leadership skills through my work with Toastmasters and the School of Righteousness, where I was valedictorian. I also served as a dance instructor, sound tech, and event organizer, and spoke to schoolchildren about my experiences.

Since my release, I’ve committed myself to supporting the formerly incarcerated in their journey back into society. As a re-entry specialist, I use my experience to be a voice for change and to help others succeed on a better path.