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Reaching Out. Increasing Awareness. Reducing Risk.
AHF’s Public Health Division operates a number of programs throughout California and Florida. In general, PHD is committed to stopping the spread of HIV and STD’s through raising awareness, providing accessible testing, and linking people to care and treatment services.
Please follow the menu bar on the left for more information about our program. To contact us directly, call (213) 405-5800.
Programs
Out of the ClosetMen’s Wellness CenterWest Hollywood Mobile Testing UnitMagic Johnson Mobile Testing VanJails Testing Program (JTP)Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS)Social MarketingOutreach and EducationOaklandInSpotOther Projects
Out of the Closet Thrift Store
Out of the Closet Thrift Store Testing – Florida
AHF is proud to introduce Rapid HIV Testing at our new Out of the Closet Thrift Store in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Our friendly, knowledgeable Counselors are on site to provide HIV prevention counseling and testing on Thursdays & Fridays from 3 PM – 7 PM, and Saturdays from 1 PM – 5 PM. Services are free of charge with no appointment necessary. Of course, donations are always gratefully accepted.
What to expect:
Our Ft. Lauderdale testing site provides confidential testing services utilizing the OraQuick Advanced Rapid HIV Antibody Test. A blood sample is taken by a simple finger-stick procedure and the test is processed in 20 minutes! While you wait, our Counselors will address any questions you have about HIV transmission, as well as protecting yourself and your partner(s) from future infection. We offer confidential testing at this site.
Where to go:
Wilton Manors OTC
2097 Wilton Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33305
Map
For more information about our Ft. Lauderdale Out of the Closet Testing program, please call the program manager at (954) 318-4337.
Out of the Closet Thrift Store Testing - California
AIDS Healthcare Foundation has been offering free HIV testing and counseling at our Out of the Closet Thrift Stores since 1997. This innovative approach affords clients a relaxing and friendly environment for testing, as many feel it helps to alleviate the sometimes-stressful nature of HIV testing. We conduct both anonymous and confidential testing on a walk-in basis.
At the OTC our testing counselors will collect an oral sample for processing with the OraQuick Advanced Rapid HIV Antibody Test. Results are ready in just 20 minutes and while you wait, a counselor will answer any questions you have about HIV transmission and prevention. A lab will confirm all preliminary positive test results by processing an additional oral sample.
Hollywood OTC
6210 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
7 Days a week 3 – 7 pm
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West Hollywood OTC
8244 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
7 Days a week 3 – 7 pm
Map
Long Beach OTC
3500 E. Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA 90804
Sunday 12 – 5 pm
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For more information about the Out of the Closet Testing program, please call the program manager at (213) 405-5818.
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Men's Wellness Center
Healthy Living Through Prevention
AHF’s Men’s Wellness Center is a free, full service HIV & STD clinic with a focus on the sexual health and well being of gay men. We provide a range of services to our clients, including:
• HIV Testing
• STD Screening & Treatment
• Genital Wart Treatment
• Hepatitis A & B Vaccinations
• Prevention Counseling
The clinic is always staffed by a medical doctor and several counselors, all available to assist clients with testing, treatment and information. This clinic services men. Transgender clients are also welcome at MWC. No appointment is needed.
Men's Wellness Center
1300 N. Vermont Ave., Suite 407
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Map
(Enter parking lot from Fountain Ave., the MWC is located in the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in the Doctor’s Tower Building)
Hours:
M, W, Th, F 5:30 – 9:00 pm and Sat 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
(Please arrive by 8:00 p.m. to ensure being seen.)
For more information on the Men’s Wellness Center program please call the program manager at (213) 405-5818.
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West Hollywood Mobile Testing Unit
The West Hollywood Mobile Testing Unit focuses on clients in the West Hollywood area, providing services at non-traditional times, including nights and weekends. This program offers free urine testing for Gonorrhea/ Chlamydia, blood testing for Syphilis and confidential oral Rapid HIV testing and counseling on a walk-in basis.
HIV test results are ready in just 20 minutes and while you wait, a counselor will answer any questions you have about HIV transmission and prevention. A lab will confirm all preliminary positive test results by processing an additional oral sample. STD results are available within two weeks of being tested.
Please click here for the mobile testing schedule or call the program manager at (213) 405-5817 for more information.
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Magic Johnson Mobile Testing Van
The Magic Johnson Mobile Testing Van is part of AHF’s commitment to underserved populations and communities of color. AHF funds this program, with assistance from The Green Foundation. This van provides services for people of color in South Los Angeles. If you have connections with these communities or know of a location that needs our services, please call the program manager at (213) 405-5806.
This program provides confidential oral Rapid HIV testing and counseling on a walk-in basis. Results are ready in just 20 minutes and while you wait, a counselor will answer any questions you have about HIV transmission and prevention. A lab will confirm all preliminary positive test results by processing an additional oral sample.
Please click here for the mobile testing schedule or call the program manager at (213) 405-5806.
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Jails Testing Program
Los Angeles County Jails Testing Program
AHF’s Public Health Division provides free HIV testing and counseling to inmates of the largest county jail system in the nation, the Los Angeles County Jails. Our counselors meet clients at the following locations: Men’s Central Jail, Pitchess Detention Center – East Facility, Pitchess Detention Center – North Facility, and North County Correction Facility. In addition to simply providing tests and results, our counselor’s work with inmates to increase their knowledge of HIV, help raise perception of their own risk for contracting the disease, and assist them in creating a plan to lower their risk.
For more information about this program, please call the program manager at (213) 405-5804.
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Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS)
AHF's Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) is a free, voluntary and confidential service for HIV positive individuals who want to inform their past or current sexual or needle sharing partners of their possible exposure to HIV. PCRS also offers free, confidential Rapid HIV testing and counseling to partners of HIV positive individuals.
How PCRS Works
A PCRS Counselor will meet with you on a one-on-one basis to discuss how best to inform your sexual or needle-sharing partner(s) of their possible exposure to HIV without disclosing your HIV status. Counselors can also answer you questions, offer medical referrals, housing information and drug treatment options. Respect and privacy are of the utmost importance and your identity will never be disclosed.
Service Options
Self-Referral - This option allows you to personally inform your sexual or needle-sharing partner(s) of their possible exposure to HIV. PCRS would guide you in a step-by-step role-play on how to inform your partner(s) of their possible exposure to HIV.
Provider Referral - This option would allow you to inform your sexual or needle-sharing partner(s) of their possible exposure to HIV without revealing your identity. You would provide us with your sexual or needle-sharing partner(s) contact or locating information and we would inform them of their possible exposure to HIV and offer immediate HIV testing.
Dual Referral - This option would allow you to inform your sexual or needle-sharing partner(s) of their possible exposure to HIV in the presence of a trained PCRS counselor. We would provide counseling and direction on how to inform your partner and be present to support you through the process.
For more information about the program, or to make an appointment please contact the Lead PCRS Liaison at (213) 405-5814.
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Social Marketing
Social Marketing - Changing the World Through Communication.
Public Health Division’s commitment is to stop the spread of HIV and STD’s through raising awareness, providing accessible testing, and linking people to care and treatment services. Part of that commitment is stimulating social change that impacts people’s behavior. Over the years we have been involved in a number of highly publicized and successful social marketing campaigns:
Stop the Sores
AHF recently completed a three-year advertising campaign focused on fighting the new syphilis epidemic in Los Angeles County. Using a fun, non-traditional marketing campaign we were able to truly spread the message to get tested for syphilis throughout the target population. Media included television spots and appearances, billboards, posters, materials, print ads and two life-sized mascots.
PCRS – They Deserve to know
They Deserve to Know was a campaign designed to raise awareness of the need for HIV-positive individuals to disclose their status to their partners. This campaign also offered information about AHF’s PCRS program. Advertised on billboards, bus ads and printed materials, They Deserve To Know featured real Angelino’s from all walks of life and backgrounds to highlight the colorblind nature of the disease.
HIV – Not Fabulous
The HIV Not Fabulous campaign was aimed at creating some truthful balance between the media messages promoted by drug companies showing life with HIV as a day at the beach and the reality of living with HIV. Many hardships and a shortened life span are still challenges faced by those living with HIV. AHF used HIV-positive spokes models captured on film by an HIV-positive photographer to accurately depict some real-life experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Stay Negative
Stay Negative is AHF’s most current prevention campaign. This very successful message has proven to appeal to people in every walk of life, including gay men, females, and people of color. Through an array of campaign strategies such as the distribution of t-shirts, dog-tags, key chains, palm cards, flyers, ‘Have Fun. Be Healthy. Stay Negative’ billboards and bus ads, along with our colorful ‘A Different Condom For Every Day of the Week’ promotions, we continue to spread the message that safer sex can also be fun.
For more information on the Stay Negative campaign, please contact the program manager at 213.405.5809, or visit our website: www.staynegative.org.
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Outreach and Education
Outreach and Education is a new focus within AHF’s Public Health Division. The program provides interventions, outreach and educational activities at various community events such as health fairs and special events geared toward people of color who are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. Further, Outreach and Education has established significant relationships and partnerships with other non-profit service organizations that cater to populations at risk including: women, faith-based and community groups, domestic violence and drug and alcohol programs.
The outreach activities consist of community advocacy, targeted community-based speaking engagements, the distribution of HIV/AIDS and STD materials and the SISTA Project, a 5-week course designed to empower females in making sound sexual decisions by giving them the tools to negotiate safer sex and open the lines of partner communication. Outreach and Education also works collaboratively with the Magic Johnson Mobile Testing Van to provide outreach, counseling and testing.
If you would like to partner with the Public Health Division or request any services contact the Program Manager at (213) 405-5809.
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Oakland Back-to-Care & Testing Program
Working out of our Oakland Healthcare Clinic, the Public Health Division is reaching out to the Oakland community. We outreach to HIV positive men of color who have sex with other men in North Alameda County in an effort to guide them back into care. We also conduct confidential oral HIV testing and counseling at this location.
For more information about this program please call the Outreach Worker at (510) 628-0949 x 3.
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InSpot
InSpot – Anonymous & Confidential Partner Notification
AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Public Health Division, in partnership with I.S.I.S., Inc. and the Los Angeles County STD program have brought InSpot to Los Angeles.
InSpot is an anonymous or confidential E-card system created to help the community notify sexual or needle sharing partners that they may have been exposed to HIV or STD’s/STI’s. Users can choose from a variety of diseases and e-cards. No personal information is ever collected by the system. Each recipient of an E-card is given information about the specific disease that they may have been exposed to and links on where they can receive more information, testing and treatment.
This system gives LA County residents a valuable resource to help stop the spread of STD’s and HIV. In the first 6 months after the launch of this project in December 2005, 30,067 users have sent 51,173 E-cards to their partners. To access this website please click here.
For more information about the program please call (213) 405-5800.
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Other Projects
In addition to our main Public Health Division programs, AHF delivers more prevention efforts on a yearly basis:
Condom Distribution
The distribution of condoms plays an essential part in the fight for prevention and the promotion of safer sex. Each month we distribute approximately 30,000 condoms nationwide to our Out of the Closet Thrift Stores. We also participate in the distribution of condoms at various festivals and parades throughout the year.
Training
AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the first community-based organization in California to be licensed to perform the Statewide HIV Counseling and Testing Certification Training. By training more people to become HIV Testing Counselors and, we will increase the amount of people being tested and further our fight against HIV. Our experienced staff conducts free trainings with AHF volunteers and individuals from other organizations, which certifies them in HIV Counseling and Testing. These trainings include, Basic I, Basic II and Rapid HIV Testing. Trainings are conducted in the Public Health Division offices at 1300 Scott Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026. If you would like more information about our Training program please call (213) 405-5812.
Advocacy
AHF is leader in the field of HIV/AIDS and advocates for our goals and our clients tirelessly. The Public Health Division's advocacy efforts focus on the regulations, legislation and processes of HIV and STD testing. We are always pushing for better, faster, more effective, more accessible counseling, testing and prevention services.
For more information about our advocacy efforts or to get involved, please call the program manager at (213) 405-5809.
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