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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS
Saturday - Sunday, September 25 and 26, 2010
The Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS is a 2-day, 150 mile cycling adventure through scenic suburban and country roads winding through and around Dallas/Fort Worth. Lone Star Ride takes place September 25 and 26, 2010, and offers the following route options: Day 1 - 45, 75, and 105 miles; Day 2 - 45 and 75 miles. Lone Star Ride`s goal is to raise money to fight AIDS and support those affected by HIV/AIDS. For both riders and crew members, it`s a great way to meet new friends and have a lot of fun while supporting a serious cause. With hilarious pit stops, an evening party and live entertainment, it`s an unforgettable experience. The minimum fundraising goal for riders is $500; the average rider raises $1,400! We make fundraising fun and simple; upon registration you will receive your personal fundraising page from which you can launch fundraising e-mail campaigns to yoru family, friends and co-workers.
Visit www.lonestarride.org for more information.
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Client Services and Programs
Client Advocacy Program
Newly diagnosed and or clients having difficulties are matched with HIV+ individuals to provide mentoring, support and guidance and information and referrals to appropriate services. These peer advocates are individuals who a reliving 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.
Substance Abuse Counseling
Often, clients present themselves with a history or current substance abuse problem including alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription medications. Accredited as a Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) expert AOC's substance abuse counselor is well equipped to provide support through harm reducation by addressing the root-cause of the behavior.
Medical and Social Case Management
AOC clients are evaluated to find out what their needs are and how best to meet those needs. Medical and Social Case Managers act as the coordinator for the care and social needs of their clients. They link clients with medical services and provide support and referrals to other services as needed. AOC case managers also assist with housing assistance, establishing medical treatment and medication acquisition, adheres, transportation assistance, mental health and addiction services.
Sandy Lanier Nutrition Center
AOC’s 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 HIV/AIDS. Any qualified person with HIV/AIDS is eligible for Nutrition services. Each client must be in medical care, adhere to prescribed medical treatments and demonstrate financial need.
Nutrition Center hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, noon – 6:00 pm.
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 and mortgage payments. Ryan White emergency financial short-term assistance is available for medical and utility assistance.
Insurance Assistance Program
This program pays insurance premiums and COBRA premiums for those not working in order to keep them and their families enrolled in the 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.
Legal Assistance
Legal services assist clients in remaining employed, remaining stable in housing, retaining access to provide medical benefits, and accessing private medical care. Volunteer attorney’s and paralegals accept legal referrals in specialized areas when needed.
Information Hot-Line
A trained staff person or agency volunteer is available during regular 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. Please call either 817.336.0066 or TOLL FREE at 877.336.0066.
Testing and Prevention and Outreach
Testing and Prevention and Outreach involve individual counsel and risk reduction planning for AOC clients. Small groups meet to discuss prevention skills and do broad community outreach in at risk locations including bars, clubs, homeless, shelters and other areas. 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 with in re-establishing treatment. Free testing is available in the main office and Arlington office. See below for times and dates.
Professional Education
AOC offers workshops and training related to HIV that is open to the professional community. CEU credits are often available. Workshop topics vary throughout the year.
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, National Black AIDS Awareness Day or work within a specific area of the community to heighten awareness. We also provide free testing at some of these events.
Workplace Education
AOC receives calls from organizations for someone to come and talk to their employees about HIV and AIDS. We accommodate as many requests as we can. A trained staff member provides education and information in an education class setting. The class includes basic information, how to protect against HIV infection and treatments that are available while at the same time to dispel the myths surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Geisel-Morris Dental Clinic
Good oral health and dental care is extremely important to anyone with HIV. Oftentimes, through a dental exam a dentist can find infections or other conditions that can lead to an AIDS diagnosis. Referral to the client’s Medical Case Manager or physician is made to treat the client to appropriate address the problem.
Call (817) 335-1994 for an appointment, hours vary.
Transportation Assistance
AOC offers transportation for clients through various local transportation authorities such as MIT, FW Star, Honduran and Mission Arlington.
Youth Services
Youth Services provides a wide variety of activities for children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. The activities including Kids Corner and Camp Firelight.
AOC SUPPORT GROUPS
The following support groups are available to
Sista to Sista
1st, 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of each month 11:30 am
Contact: Betty Peterson, 817-335-1994 ext. 204
El Futuro Unidos
1st Monday of each month 6:30 PM
Contact: Bea Lampka, 817-335-1994 ext. 225
Positive Recovery (Substance Abuse) Auricular Acupunture
Every Tuesday at 1:00 pm
Every Wednesday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Contact: Darlene Carter, 817-229-4621
Courageous Kids
Contact: Betty Peterson, 817-335-1994 x204
Positively Straight
Every Wednesday 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Contact: Brenda Wingo, 817-335-1994 x 217
Stop Smoking Group
Psycho-educational Group
Tuesday 2:00 pm to 3 pm
Contact: Brenda Wingo, 817-335-1994 x 217
Co-dependency Group
Every Monday 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Contact: Darlene Carter, 817-229-4621
El Sol
Every Wednesday 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Contact: Leslie Guditis, 817-335-1994 ext. 235
S.A.S.H. Shaping and Affirming Spiritual Health (formerly E.G.G.)
Every Monday noon - 1 pm
Contact: Shawna Stewart, 817-335-1994 ext. 226
SMART Recovery Group (Self Management And Recovery Training)
Every Tuesday 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Every Wednesday noon-1:00 pm
Contact: Leslie Guditus, 817-335-1994 ext. 235
COMMUNITY SERVICES
HIV Testing
AIDS Outreach Center offers venipuncture (blood-draw) 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. Call for your test today!
Testing Schedules
Main office: 400 North Beach Street, Fort Worth, TX 76111
817-335-1994
Monday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm walk-in, no appointment necessary
Tuesday-Wednesday: 9:00 – noon, walk-in and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm by appointments only
Friday: 9:00 am – 11 am Walk-in, no appointment necessary
Arlington Office: Please call 817-275-3311 and ask for prevention department.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Advocacy
When Texas Legislature started to expand the state’s mandatory testing law to include new groups of people, AOC intervened quickly. After convincing several key legislatures that the idea was a bone 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.
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