HIPS focuses on what prostitutes need to keep safe: condoms, HIV testing, and conflict-resolution skills for dealing with pimps, other prostitutes, police, and clients. A central strategy is the use of a van that travels throughout Washington, DC on Friday and Saturday nights from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am; this van is stocked with condoms, lubricant, and other safe sex materials, as well as information, clothing, beverages, and food. A phone and resource manual are on the van in case of a crisis situation. The operators of the van engage in active listening, outreach, unconditional support, and careful record keeping in an effort to improve its services. HIPS is in the process of developing a programme that will provide HIV testing and counseling on the van.

HIPS helps prostitutes find sex worker-friendly medical services and safe housing through a comprehensive case management programme. In addition, HIPS provides assistance to sex workers who need legal documents, like birth certificates and driver's licenses.

HIPS staff and volunteers manage the HIPS toll-free 24-hour national hotline, a service available to any individual in need of emergency services, information, or support. Individuals are encouraged to use the hotline to obtain condoms during outreach hours, to schedule an appointment to begin case management, or to receive information about other direct service providers.

Women, Health, Emergency.

Originally initiated as an outreach and referral programme from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), HIPS was founded in response to a need articulated by community representatives and the police: services for young male, female, and transgender individuals engaging in various forms of sex for gain on the streets of the District. HIPS is a nonprofit group that is supported by private foundations and the D.C. Health Department.

Until budget cuts in 2001, HIPS operated programme entitled The Divas Against AIDS in which sex workers were trained to serve as peer educators. After completing an eight-week training period, these Divas then conducted outreach on their own time and received a weekly stipend for their outreach work. HIPS reports that it is developing a similar peer education programme called Foot Patrol that is designed to reach and empower young male sex workers.