2009-2010 Annual Report - AIDS Council

PAGE 4 AIDS COUNCIL OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK
SUMMARY OF
PREVENTION
SERVICES:
Individual Risk
Reduction Counseling
560
Provider Training
202
(6 Sessions)
Group Prevention
Interventions
1,645
Community Awareness
Activities & Outreach
177,112*
(502 Events)
Online Interventions
12,259*
(295 Events)
HIV Counseling
& Testing
1,862:
- Community-
Based 1,412
- Correctional
Facilities 450
STD Screenings
1,332
- Gonorrhea &
Chlamydia 1,068
- Hepatitis C 68
- Syphilis 196
AIDS Information
Hotline Calls
Reentry Services
366
105
*Includes Duplication
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PREVENTION SERVICES UPDATE
The A-Tech (AIDS Prevention and Technology) program continued to engage at-risk
youth in several special projects, including a “Video Boot Camp”, bringing together youth
from several partner agencies in Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer Counties for two full
Saturdays. The youth worked diligently with representatives from L&P Media to write text,
contribute music, act and produce a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to engage and
educate other youth about HIV/STD prevention. The finished PSA, The Price is Your Life,
was made available online at www.thepriceisyourlife.com, as well as the agency’s teenfocused
website, www.hivoutreach2teens.com. These websites received more than 25,000
hits per month following the launch of the PSA. Corresponding print advertisements were
placed strategically throughout the region, including Crossgates Mall, on billboards, and
in bus shelters.
Through a new subcontract with Catholic Charities, the AIDS Council provided services
in partnership with the inauguration of the Project Safe Point syringe exchange program
in Albany. The AIDS Council provided Peer Associate training and support, outreach, HIV
and Hepatitis C testing, and Transitional Case Management (which facilitated access to
substance abuse treatment) in conjunction with the mobile syringe exchange services.
Through a new grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance,
the agency expanded prevention services to individuals reentering Albany,
Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties from incarceration. AIDS Council staff provided
mentoring and other supportive services, both pre- and post-release, to assist individuals
in successfully reintegrating into our communities, make healthier decisions and increase
their likelihood of practicing safer behaviors.
The Peer Associates Initiative expanded, with 31 Peer Associates (13 new and 18
returning) participating in one or more of 10 training sessions offered. Peer Associates
made more than 3,000 outreach contacts. Peer Associates assisted in condom bagging
for the Condom Access Project and safer sex kit construction for street outreach. Peer
Associates provided assistance at social events and testimonials. Peer Associates
reported positive impact from their participation in the program, including improved
communication and employment skills, increased awareness of community resources,
maintenance of sobriety or decrease substance use, decreased risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and
STDs, peer support and networking, and increased support for and from the community.
Staff from Project HOPE, the agency’s LGBT-focused prevention program, highlighted
the AIDS Council’s innovative programming at two conferences this year. A poster
presentation, “Challenges and Successes in Integrating HIV, STD, and HCV Testing in
Bathhouse and Community Settings with Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM)” was
featured at the CDC-sponsored National STD Conference. The poster outlined the agency’s
project modeling the CDC’s Program Collaboration and Service Integration provided in
conjunction with partners from the Department of Health and local businesses. Project
HOPE staff also presented a workshop, “Internet Interventions to Engage and Reduce Risk
and Harm Among Gay Men/MSM,” at the NYS LGBT People of Color Health Summit.
The Clinton, Essex, Franklin HIV/AIDS Prison Coalition hosted two guest speakers this
year. Sean Ball, Prevention Projects Manager from the Albany office, presented information
about the Given the Chance program and provided promotional materials and contact
information. Given the Chance is a program that provides services to at-risk individuals
who are HIV-negative or of unknown status. Services include Reentry Information and
Referral, Mentorship, Safety Counts, Substance Use Information and Referral, the Peer
Associates Initiative, as well as confidential HIV/STD/HCV testing. Ejay Carter, Coordinator
for the Empire State Pride Agenda, presented issues related to discrimination and
mistreatment of transgendered individuals, as well as issues of confinement and isolation
within correctional facilities mostly caused by misperceptions of the specific needs of
transgendered individuals.