HIV Prevention Melinda Dang Health Sciences Scholar, 2018 Name, title, site details, service details, pictures average life expectancy for a homeless individual is between 42 and 52 years of age compared to 78 for the general population in the United States. Introduction & Site Details Methods Safe on the Scene For More Information Care Alliance is a nonprofit community health center/federal qualified health center (FQHC) in Cleveland, OH that began in mid-1980s to address rapidly increasing homeless population. FQHCs as a whole save $24 billion annually High-quality, comprehensive mental and dental services, regardless of ability to pay Services (sliding fee scale): HIV/AIDS – over 4,000 identified cases in Cuyahoga County Medical, mental/behavioral and dental Chronic illnesses Counseling and psychiatric treatment Dentures are 44% of dental visits Homeless – 4,000 people at any given time in Cleveland Care Alliance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareAlliance Twitter: @CareAlliance Instagram: @CareAlliance Youtube: Care Alliance Website: www.carealliance.org #EveryoneWelcome Safe on the Scene http://www.safeonthescene.com https://www.facebook.com/safeonthescene/ #SafeontheScene #KnowingisSexy Volunteers must be at least 18, have high school diploma, reliable transportation, and cultural humility and open-mindedness. Volunteer timeframes: Spring, Summer, and Fall Summer: May-late August/September Apply by early May, training is mid-May Training Patient confidentiality HIV/AIDS, STIs, PrEP and PEP Testing Recruit individuals Rapid-testing Counseling Discuss sexual behaviors Collect data Give them reminders $4 million CDC-funded initiative intended to turn around HIV incidences in Cuyahoga County Target populations: African-American men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, ages 13-29 42 percent of all HIV cases in 2012-2013 were among African American males ages 13-29 Collaborators: Recovery Resources, Planned Parenthood, and Care Alliance Estimated to serve over 30,000 during the five-year span. Progress can already be witnessed; in 2015, Care Alliance reported that they provided risk reduction counseling and HIV testing to 3,314 individuals! Service Details HIV Prevention Volunteer Team program May to July 2017 43 hours Risk-reduction counseling Rapid testing – free and confidential Education sessions Making & distributing risk reduction goodie bags Walk-Ins and Outreach using Mobile Testing Unit Clinics (Stokes and Central) Walgreen’s for National HIV Awareness Days LGBT Cleveland Community Center Cleveland PRIDE Promoted Safe on the Scene – we were among top 10 most visited/talked about booths! Care Alliance block party Hough neighborhood public housing party Discussion This experience was my first hands-on public health experience where I interacted with different communities. I am better equipped to serve those who are in public housing or experience homelessness, as well as those from the LGBTQ+ community. I gained skills including risk-reduction counseling, HIV testing, and public speaking. Thank you to all those at Care Alliance and the various community partners in Cleveland! I learned so much.