MISSION: To decrease the number of new HIV infections among men and their partners by providing culturally sensitive HIV prevention education & supportive services regardless of sexual orientation.
SERVICES: Outreach, HIV Counseling, Testing & Referral Services, Health Education/ Risk Reduction, Prevention Case Management, Support Groups, Food/Clothing & Transportation Assistance, Emergency Financial Assistance (Rent and/or Utilities), Referrals and Advocacy for eligible participants.
| Department of Prevention Education: |
Street/Community Outreach: Conducted throughout the city at various venues such as clubs, bars, parks, churches, shelters, and college campuses to provide constituents access to prevention materials and education including condoms, brochures, pamphlets, flyers. The Outreach Coordinator/Health Educator is also responsible for providing HIV prevention information, referrals and linkages to other community services. Including referrals for syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia screens...
Health Education/Risk Reduction: This intervention involves group and individual level interventions aimed at reducing participants risk of HIV infection and/or re-infection on a one-on-one basis or group format. Participants learn HIV prevention education and HIV risk reduction strategies. Our target populations primarily include men and youth.
Comprehensive Risk Counseling & Services formerly Prevention Case Management: The prevention case manager develops an individualized plan with participants selected for this intervention. The intervention is one-on-one and highly intensive. The overall goal is for the prevention case manager with the cooperation and involvement of the client to develop a plan to either not contract HIV and/or infect others with HIV (if already infected). The plan could involve client using condoms consistently and correctly, routine HIV and STD counseling & testing/screens, omission of alcohol and drugs with sex and decrease number of sexual and injection drug partners.
Confidential & Anonymous HIV Counseling & Testing: Using OraSure & OraQuick testing technologies. MBH staff are able to provide HIV counseling & testing services on the spot. A majority of our volunteer testing services are done in the MBH office. Results are usually returned in as early as 20 mins to 3 days (depending upon the testing technology).
| Department of Client Services: |
Internet Access: Consumers are provided access to a computer to access the world wide web for treatment, care, prevention education and social support information.
Support Groups: MBH offers a male and female self-help support group for persons living with HIV/AIDS as well as self-help support group for transgender persons. Please call for dates and times.
Emergency Financial Assistance: MBH offers assistance to persons who are living with HIV including men and women (rental and/or utility assistance). The person must first complete an intake and application prior to assistance. This program is based on the availability of funding, client need and other program eligibility requirements. A referral is required and there are other program restrictions and limitations.
Food/Clothing & Transportation Assistance: MBH offers assistance for HIV positive persons with food vouchers, clothing closet and bus tokens for consumers to access supportive services and/or local medical appointments.
Advocacy: MBH assists persons with HIV and others with treatment and Social Security Disability and SSI advocacy. MBH can assist persons who are HIV positive with initiating and completing his or her application for benefits (including SSI, SSDI, medical treatment, case management services, housing, legal services and voter education and registration, etc.)
Information & Referral Services: MBH staff offers assistance through the provision of information and referrals for constituents to access community resources to improve his or her health outcomes. Referrals are often made for: Housing, Mental Health, Medical Services, Case Management, Legal, Substance Abuse Treatment, Pastoral Counseling, End of Life Arrangements, Employment training, Transportation and self-help support groups.
Treatment Education: MBH staff assist consumers living with HIV/AIDS with access to Internet-based treatment education. Staff is also able to provide one-on-one individual instruction to link consumers with cutting edge treatment education resources to encourage adherence and compliance with continued care and treatment services. Peer advocates can assist in this service.
Mission & Services