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, Health Education/ Risk Reduction, Prevention Case Management, Support Groups, Food/Clothing & Transportation Assistance, Emergency Financial Assistance, Referrals and Advocacy, Many Men, Many Voices; Voices/Voces; and Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services to those who qualify.
| 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. Staff include: Mark Douglas, Luke Griffin, and Wayne Simmons.
Prevention Case Management: The prevention case manager (Luke Griffin and Geoffrey Rountree) 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 (Mark Douglas, Luke Griffin and Wayne Simmons) are able to provide HIV counseling & testing services 'on the spot.' Results are usually returned in as early as 20 mins to 3 days (depending upon testing technology).
| Department of Client Services: |
Internet Access: Consumers are provided access to a computer to access the world wide web for treatment, care and support information.
Support Groups: MBH offers a male and female support group for HIV positive persons as well as a support group for transgender persons. Please call for dates and times.
Emergency Financial Assistance: Through funding from Ryan White, MBH offers assistance to persons who are HIV positive with rental and/or utility assistance. The person must complete and intake and application prior to assistance. This program is based on the availability of funding and need. A referral is required and there are 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, treatment, 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 and Transportation.
Mission & Services