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Client Services and Programs
Client Advocacy Program Newly diagnosed and or clients having difficulties are matched with HIV-positive individuals to provide mentoring, support and guidance and information and referral to appropriate services. These peer advocates are individuals who are living life to the fullest and will serve as a role model for someone who is struggling with HIV. Mental Health Counseling
Most people experience shock and anxiety when they find out they have HIV. Counseling can help reduce these feelings as well as provide support and guidance as you deal with your illness. AOC provides a full range of outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, including individual, family, relationship and group sessions with licensed clinicians or graduate interns. Our trained counseling personnel assist clients in adjusting to a life with HIV/AIDS and in taking steps towards proper medical treatment.
When 15-year old James learned he had HIV; he wandered the streets for three days, and eventually called AOC. He was depressed, frightened, and had been drinking non-stop. "The counselor I talked to convinced me to go to the hospital that afternoon."
Housing Assistance
Through funding from HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS) eligible clients with emergency housing needs can be assisted with short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. Ryan White emergency financial short-term assistance is available for medical and utility assistance. AOC provides a long-term HOPWA funded housing program, providing rental assistance to HIV+ low income clients and their families.
Unable to work, Joan was approved for social security disability. Joan now had a constant, but fixed income. However, her income would not cover her utilities and housing costs and certainly not the groceries she needed for her family. "I didn't know how I was going to pay for rent not to mention how I was going to feed my kids." AOC was able to assist Joan with a portion of her housing costs enabling her time to secure a more permanent housing assistance program and prevent her and her family from becoming homeless.
Legal Assistance
Legal services assists clients in remaining employed, remaining stable in housing, retaining access to private medical benefits, and accessing private medical care. Volunteer attorneys and paralegals accept legal referrals in specialized areas when needed.
George's insurance policy was cancelled when up for renewal, and the only policy conversion he was offered had a $1,000 lifetime AIDS cap. "With the help of an AOC volunteer attorney, the insurance company agreed to settle, and waived the AIDS limitation."
Insurance Assistance Program
This program pays insurance premiums and COBRA premiums for those not working to keep individuals and families enrolled in their current private insurance program. Prescription medicine co-payments may also be paid to ensure clients get needed medication and maintain continuous medical treatment. This program prevents a lapse in care, allowing clients to continue treatment through their private physician and avoid any disruption in medical adherence.
Homeless and Minority Outreach
Outreach is conducted in shelters, shooting galleries/drug houses, clubs/bars, public housing, salons, car washes, in the parks and on the streets. This program allows AOC to reach groups that are hesitant in seeking services. Outreach workers link with medical service providers in order to reach those who have dropped out of medical and/or social services and assist them in re-establishing treatment.
Sandy Lanier Nutrition Center
AOC's food pantry, know as the Sandy Lanier Nutrition Center, has been serving clients through our Fort Worth office since 1986. This "grocery store" emphasizes the link between good nutrition and living with AIDS. Any individual who is HIV-positive or living with AIDS and has an annual income of 200% below poverty level, or less, is eligible to use the Nutrition Center as a food source to help establish a healthy eating plan. To be eligible for Nutrition Center services, each client must be in medical care, adhere to prescribed medical treatments and demonstrate financial need. The Nutrition Center is open Tuesday and Wednesday from Noon - 6 p.m.
Mark shops for food and personal care items in AOC's Nutrition Center every week. "When I first came to AOC, I didn't know how to eat healthy. The staff and volunteers taught me how to pick nutritious foods that also work with my medications."
Medical Case Management
AOC clients are evaluated to find out what their needs are and how best to meet those needs. Case managers act as the coordinator for the care of their clients. They link clients with medical services and provide general support and referrals. AOC case managers can also assist with housing assistance, establishing medical treatment, medication acquisition, adherence, transportation assistance, mental health and addiction services.
Shortly after the Hernandez family moved to Arlington from Florida, they learned that Maria had HIV. An AOC social worker helped them arrange day care, transportation, support groups and legal services. "We're now getting by on our own, thanks to you."
Disabled, dying, and chronically homeless, Arthur decided to come to AOC for help. Within six months of working with his AOC Medical Case Manager, Arthur's health has improved dramatically, and he is now maintaining himself through a Social Security check, housing assistance program, Medicaid, Food Stamps and medical care from Tarrant County. He is also sporting new teeth, new glasses and a hearing aid. Arthur is now considering going back to work!
AOC Support Groups
The following support groups are available to AOC clients:
Latino Group:
First Monday of each month at 6:30 pm.
Contact Bea Lampka, 817-335-1994, ext. 225.
Mujeres Unidas:
First and third Wednesday of EVERY MONTH at 9:00 am.
Contact Monica Carbajal 817-335-1994, extension 235.
Positive Recovery: (Substance Abuse) Auricular Acupuncture
Every Tuesday at 1:00 pm.
Every Wednesday at 11:00 am. and 1:00 pm.
Contact Darlene Carter, 817-229-4621
Sista 2 Sista:
First, second and third Tuesday of each month at 11:30 am.
Contact Betty Peterson, 817-335-1994, ext 204.
Positively Speaking: Support Group for HIV+ Straight Men and Women
Starting January 14, 2009
Every Wednesday from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.
Contact Wanda Floyd-Strothers, 817-321-4866
Support Group for HIV+ Teens:
Group deals with issues confronting teens who are HIV+.
Contact Betty Peterson, 817-335-1994, ext. 204.
Stop Smoking Group
(next session March 31, 2009))
8 week Psycho-educational Group
Every Tuesday from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.
Contact Brenda Hrovat, LPC at 817-335-1994, ext. 217.
Transportation Assistance
AOC offers transportation for clients through various local transportation authorities such as MIT, FW Star, Handitran and Mission Arlington.
With all her money going to pay medical bills, Shelly couldn't afford to get her car fixed, and had no way to get to her support group. AOC's transportation services got her to and from her group every week. "I was less isolated, and it made all the difference."
Youth Services
Youth Services provides a wide variety of activities for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. These activities include Kids Corner and Camp Firelight.
Nathan and his little brother Robert lost their dad to AIDS two years ago but had never talked with anyone about it. With 74 other children touched by HIV, they attended AOC's weeklong Camp Firelight. "We learned we weren't alone, and had fun, too."
Community Services
HIV Testing
AIDS Outreach Center offers venipuncture (blood-draw) for the testing of HIV and syphilis. All testing is done free of charge. Blood-spot (finger-poke blood test) is available only if blood can not be drawn. Results are back within 7 days at the Fort Worth Office. In Arlington, results are back in 10-14 days. Call for your test today!
Testing Schedule:
Main Office: 801 West Cannon Street - Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-335-1994
Monday: No Testing
Tuesday: Walk-ins from 1:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. - No appointment necessary.
Wednesday: Walk-ins from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - No appointment necessary.
Thursday: By appointment ONLY from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: Walk-ins from 9:00 am - 10:30 a.m. - No appointment necessary.
Arlington Office: 401 West Sanford, Suite 1100 - Arlington, TX 76011
817-275-3311
By Appointment ONLY!
AIDS Information Line (817) 335-1994
John and Sarah wanted to get married, but Sarah knew that a former boyfriend from her college days had been an IV drug user. She called AOC for help. "I got an appointment to be tested the very next day. I couldn't have afforded the fee in a private clinic."
Information Line
A trained staff person or agency volunteer is available during business hours to accept calls. Callers are often seeking general information about HIV/AIDS, where testing is available or how to access medical and social services.
When Debra learned that her husband had been having extramarital affairs, she panicked about her chances of having contracted HIV. One call to AOC's Information Line got her the information she needed. "I can't tell you how much you helped at an extremely difficult time."
Prevention Outreach
Prevention Outreach involves individual counseling and risk reduction planning for AOC clients. Small groups meet to discuss prevention skills and the Prevention Department also does broad community education including mass media.
After drinking, Gary would occasionally relapse into unsafe sex. A friend brought him to AOC's prevention program that helps HIV negative gay and bisexual men stay uninfected. "I used to think that HIV was inevitable for gays... that I couldn't escape it. You changed that."
Professional Education
AOC periodically offers workshops and training, related to HIV, that are open to the professional community. CEU credits are often available. Workshop topics vary throughout the year.
A social worker new to the area, Carly attended a workshop at AOC to learn about the special nutritional needs of men and women with HIV. "Not only did I learn a lot about nutrition and HIV, but I got information about all kinds of HIV resources across the country."
Special Community Awareness Events
AOC receives requests from many groups to participate in awareness events by setting up a booth or table to distribute information and answer questions about HIV/AIDS. Sometimes we schedule our own events, like for National HIV Testing Day or National Black AIDS Awareness Day, and work within a specific area of the community to heighten awareness. In some situation, we also offer free testing.
When over 400 employees attended a local health fair... AOC was there. With educational videos and brochures, an AOC educator answered questions about HIV prevention and testing. "Our employees were so impressed and very thankful for the information."
Workplace Education
AOC receives calls from groups asking for someone to come talk to their group about HIV and AIDS. WE accommodate as many requests as we can. A trained staff member provides education and information through an education class setting. The class includes basic information, how to protect yourself and others, and treatments available. We also try to dispel the myths surrounding HIV and AIDS.
When staff at a nursing home expressed fear about caring for HIV-infected patients, the administrator asked AOC for help. A three-hour education session for all employees cleared the air. "This has really eased my mind. I don't know what we were so afraid of!"
HIV/AIDS Library - Arlington Office
AIDS Outreach Center (AOC) opened its HIV/AIDS Library in January 2006! The Library currently has over 300 published works in the collection. Establishing an HIV/AIDS related library was made possible through a generous gift from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The AOC HIV/AIDS Library is housed at the Arlington office.
Anyone can access the HIV/AIDS Library and books may be checked out by visiting the Library during regular business hours. Please call ahead to be certain there is a staff member or volunteer on site and available to help.
If you would like to make a donation to the Library, please call 817-275-3311. Donations of books are accepted as long as the items are in good condition. AOC is looking to add current items that highlight living with HIV/AIDS. If you would like to purchase a book for the Library, AOC would be happy to provide you with a "Book Wish List" containing titles of published works not currently in the collection.
Library is open during regular business hours but please call ahead to assure someone is available to help you.
Public Awareness
Advocacy
When the Texas Legislature started to expand the state's mandatory testing law to include new groups of people, AOC intervened quickly. After convincing several key legislators that the idea was a bad one, the proposed legislation was quietly dropped.
Voter Registration
While waiting for her counseling appointment in AOC's Arlington office, Jenny was asked by the receptionist if she was registered to vote. The receptionist gave her a voter registration card and a list of polling locations. "Now I have a voice in what happens to me," Jenny said.
Be A Volunteer
On April 21, President Barack Obama signed the Serve America Act. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act allocates $5.7 billion over five years to encourage volunteerism in the U.S. by, among other things, tripling the size of the AmeriCorps program from its current level of 75,000 volunteers to approximately 250,000 volunteers. Proponents of the legislation believe that the Serve America Act reflects a historic shift toward volunteerism, especially among the younger generations.
“We need your service, right now, at this moment in history. I'm not going to tell you what your role should be; that's for you to discover. But I'm asking you to stand up and play your part. I'm asking you to help change history's course. “
- President Barack Obama, April 21, 2009
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act signing ceremony
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