Monday, October 11, 2010
World AIDS Day 2010 Plans in Fairbanks
World AIDS Day is in less than two months on December 1st, 2010. Currently, prevention is working with the UAF practicum students on organizing this event. They are working on having an awareness booth at the UAF Wood Center and a candlelight vigil that will start at the Interior AIDS Association at 710 3rd Avenue. Other ideas include a potluck dinner and a short skit by the theater group Breadcrumbs, who recently did a play focused on youth homelessness that was based on Alice and Wonderland. This year we plan to have more people in the candlelight walk.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
AIDS.Gov Microgrant
The Interior AIDS Association has finished up a project that brought us into the world of social media. While we still have a long way to go, at least we have taken that all-important first step. Funding for this project was made possible primarily by AIDS.Gov, a program of U.S. HHS, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy. Of course, the views expressed, while we believe they are brilliant, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the HHS or AIDS.gov; nor does the mention of trade names, commmercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Our presence on Facebook and Twitter and this Blog gives us the opportunity to work toward our mission: to prevent HIV transmission and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. With these tools we plan to persuade people whose behavior puts them at risk for HIV to get tested, and perhaps to take small steps to reduce the harm in their lives. With these tools, we plan to ensure that people living with HIV in the Fairbanks area are aware that support is available for them at IAA.
We also consider this an opportunity to inform the community about the continuing HIV epidemic here in Alaska, in the U.S. and the world. Knowledge, compassion, and personal responsibility are key tools in an effective response to this disease. The Interior AIDS Association encourages all to employ these tools to stop the spread of HIV as well as the stigma that still haunts many who live with the disease.
Our presence on Facebook and Twitter and this Blog gives us the opportunity to work toward our mission: to prevent HIV transmission and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. With these tools we plan to persuade people whose behavior puts them at risk for HIV to get tested, and perhaps to take small steps to reduce the harm in their lives. With these tools, we plan to ensure that people living with HIV in the Fairbanks area are aware that support is available for them at IAA.
We also consider this an opportunity to inform the community about the continuing HIV epidemic here in Alaska, in the U.S. and the world. Knowledge, compassion, and personal responsibility are key tools in an effective response to this disease. The Interior AIDS Association encourages all to employ these tools to stop the spread of HIV as well as the stigma that still haunts many who live with the disease.
Friday, July 2, 2010
IAA Raffle and Moose Scat Scoot
The IAA Raffle and the Moose Scat Scoot(in Denali National Park) were both a great success. To see more about each event, you can go to our Facebook page which you can find by searching Interior AIDS Association. There were a lot of prizes, music, food, and many people at the raffle on Saturday. The raffle and Scoot in Denali are always a good time and it raises a lot of money for our little non-profit. Support and volunteers are always appreciated.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
National HIV Testing Day
TAKE CONTROL, TAKE THE TEST
Since June 27, 1995, the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Prevention Information Network (NPIN), and other national and local entities across the country, has organized National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message to those at risk from those already living with HIV that there are powerful reasons for learning one's HIV status.
National HIV Testing Day was developed in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color and other heavily impacted commuities. Today, CDC estimates approximately 250,000 Americans are linving with HIV BUT DO NOT KNOW their HIV status.
Voluntary HIV testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsiblity over one's health. National HIV testing Day promotes the message "Take the Test, Take Control" to a demographically diverse audience and numerous communties nationwide. Finding out if you have HIV is the first step to improving your health and the health of your partners, family and community.
National HIV Testing Recommendations:
Since June 27, 1995, the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Prevention Information Network (NPIN), and other national and local entities across the country, has organized National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message to those at risk from those already living with HIV that there are powerful reasons for learning one's HIV status.
National HIV Testing Day was developed in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color and other heavily impacted commuities. Today, CDC estimates approximately 250,000 Americans are linving with HIV BUT DO NOT KNOW their HIV status.
Voluntary HIV testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsiblity over one's health. National HIV testing Day promotes the message "Take the Test, Take Control" to a demographically diverse audience and numerous communties nationwide. Finding out if you have HIV is the first step to improving your health and the health of your partners, family and community.
National HIV Testing Recommendations:
- Routine HIV screening for
- All patients aged 13-64
- Patients seeking treatment for STDs
- Patients initiating TB treatment
- Repeat HIV screening for
- Persons at high risk (IV drug users and their sex partners, Persons exchanging sex for money, Sex partners of HIV+ persons, Persons who had more than one sex partner since their last HIV test)
- Persons starting a new sexual relationship
- Others based on clinical judgment
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Making Proud Choices! Week 3
Today, Prevention went out to our local substance abuse rehabilitation for youth and taught week 3 of our Making Proud Choices! curriculum. Module 3 is called Attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS and condom use. This module contains a movie about a group of close friends , some of who do not believe that HIV can affect them. When they discover that someone close to them has the HIV virus, their attitudes and beliefs about who can and cannot contract HIV change drastically. Although the movie "HIV Not Us" is dated from the early nineties, it is a very interesting and captivating video for the teenage groups. Next week, Prevention will be teaching strategies for preventing HIV infection by emphasizing exercises to Stop, Think, and Act.
Monday, June 14, 2010
It is definately summer!
Fairbanks is finally seeing some nice weather after a few rainy days! We have had downpours, hail, and rain, rain, rain! Today, prevention planted some veggies in the front of the building and it looks a lot better now. Hopefully they will grow and we can make a salad at the end of the season. We are enjoying the sun while we can, solstice happens in little over a week and we will begin losing daylight again. It is a good time to do outreach in the parks and in the street.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Making Proud Choices! Week 2
Prevention will be teaching week two of the Making Proud Choices! curriculum at a substance abuse treatment facility for youth. This chapter is called The Consequences of Sex: HIV Infection. This module dispels myths and teaches facts about HIV transmission. This chapter involves movie clips, games, and a lot of information!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Body Piercing Unlimited and Tattoo and Hater Proof Tattoo
Today Ashley and I are going to a couple of tattoo parlors around town. We are going to talk to the owners and see if they would like free condoms in return for their help in getting our name out so that people know where to get tested. We will also being doing some outreach in the surrounding areas. Tattoo artists and piercing professionals practice HIV safety on a daily basis so their collaboration would be helpful to us. In addition to the tattoo shops, we will be doing outreach around "head shops" and a couple of liquor stores. We always work in pairs for our safety. We will be prepping for our class tomorrow and will be teaching Module 2: The Consequences of Sex: HIV Infection. This is always an interesting section to go over because many people do not know the correct information. We give the facts on how HIV is transmitted and how it is not.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Stone Soup Cafe 5-3-2010
Every Thursday, Ashley and I (Valerie) go to Stone Soup Cafe, our local soup kitchen. We have been going there on a weekly basis for three months and are recognized by the regular diners and volunteers. When we are there, we talk to the diners and encourage them to get tested for HIV and to encourage people they may know who are engaging in risky behavior to get tested as well. Yesterday was very successful in that we got a few diners to take a few extra copies of our fliers to pass out to people they know. We always assure them that we are not targeting specific people and that everyone should know their HIV test status. We let them know that our testing is free, anonymous, not discriminatory, and that we are sharing this information because we care about them and keeping them safe. We also keep Stone Soup stocked with condoms and lubrication, which are very popular. I look forward to going to Stone Soup every week because it is never the same experience. I always have a good time talking to people and enjoy the challenge of gaining their trust to address the sensitive subject of HIV.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Making Proud Choices! Curriculum taught to youth in treatment facilities
Our mission: IAA'S mission is to reduce the spread of HIV by providing meaningful and effective education and prevention services to individuals and groups who may be at increased risk; and to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS by providing early intervention, case management, and other support services.
My name is Valerie, my coworkers name is Ashley, and Brenda is our supervisor. We are IAA's prevention team. Every Wednesday, our prevention team goes and teaches the Making Proud Choices! Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum at our local youth residential treatment facilities. It emphasizes a safer-sex approach to HIV/STDs and teen pregnancy prevention. In addition to being fun and interesting, this program is identified by the CDC as a "Program that works". At the beginning of every class, we make sure to tell our class that we are not promoting sexual activity, but providing them with useful knowledge that they can use or pass on to others. During my short time as a Prevention Specialist, I have personally seen attitudes changed and myths dispelled about HIV/STDs and pregnancy in people who have taken this class. Ashley and Brenda have experience in teaching this class, as for myself, I taught my first one yesterday! It went very well, and I look forward to teaching more. I am excited because I wish that I had been taught these skills and facts to protect myself when I was their age.
My name is Valerie, my coworkers name is Ashley, and Brenda is our supervisor. We are IAA's prevention team. Every Wednesday, our prevention team goes and teaches the Making Proud Choices! Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum at our local youth residential treatment facilities. It emphasizes a safer-sex approach to HIV/STDs and teen pregnancy prevention. In addition to being fun and interesting, this program is identified by the CDC as a "Program that works". At the beginning of every class, we make sure to tell our class that we are not promoting sexual activity, but providing them with useful knowledge that they can use or pass on to others. During my short time as a Prevention Specialist, I have personally seen attitudes changed and myths dispelled about HIV/STDs and pregnancy in people who have taken this class. Ashley and Brenda have experience in teaching this class, as for myself, I taught my first one yesterday! It went very well, and I look forward to teaching more. I am excited because I wish that I had been taught these skills and facts to protect myself when I was their age.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Interior AIDS Association
Methadone Treatment Services
Project Special Delivery
In keeping with current models of harm reduction, IAA began a Methadone maintenance and detoxification service for opiate dependent individuals called Project Special Delivery (PSD) in November, 2000
• The PSD program gives priority admission to HIV+ persons, injection drug users, and pregnant women.
• PSD offers individual, family, and group counseling for consumers and their loved ones.
• PSD personnel also provide close case management and aftercare services.
Controlled substance users, particularly injection drug users, are at greatest risk for new HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections and transmissions. Education and treatment reduce and often eliminate these risks. Project Special Delivery is based on the concept of Harm Reduction.
WHAT IS HARM REDUCTION?
The operating principle of harm reduction is “any positive change.” The style is ego-building, not ego-breaking, and aims to increase self-esteem, self-love, and self-efficacy. Harm reduction does not mean supporting all behaviors. It recognizes that while people are judged by and accountable for their behavior, behavior must be understood within a context.
Understanding the context is not the same thing as excusing certain behaviors… we remain accountable or responsible for our own behavior, but we try to understand the context in which it occurs. Understanding how, why, or when we do things can often help us figure out ways to modify or change our behavior. Visit the Harm Reduction Coalition website for more information.
Research has identified factors that contribute significantly to the probability that an individual will change his or her behavior to avoid risk or harm. A person is more likely to lower his or her risk if he or she:
1. Believes that the advantage of making the change are greater than the disadvantage;
2. Has formed a strong intention to change;
3. Has the skill to perform the changed behavior;
4. Believes he/she can make the change;
5. Believes that the change will more likely produce a positive (rather than negative) emotional response;
6. Believes the new behavior is consistent with his or her self-image;
7. Perceives that there is a social support for the change;
8. Experiences no environmental barriers blocking the change.
See our Brochure
To apply for Services call 907.452.4222: ext.114
Medicaid and insurance are accepted. Sliding fee scale available.
See fee schedule and sliding fee scale.
For more information on our services, please contact us
Please note: After contacting someone by email, if you have not received a
response within 48 business hours (Sat. and Sun. are excluded), please call the
phone number below.
Methadone Program Staff: 907.452.4222
Brenda Reichenberg: brenda@interioraids.org ext 101
Brenda Henze-Nelson, Clinical Supervisor: henzenelson@interioraids.org ext 114
Jackie Kleewein-Strom, Counselor: jackie@interioraids.org ext.104
Copyright 2004 - Present, Interior AIDS Association, all rights reserved.
710 Third Ave., Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. Phone: (907) 452-IAAA (4222). Fax (907) 452-8176
Email: info@interioraids.org
Project Special Delivery
In keeping with current models of harm reduction, IAA began a Methadone maintenance and detoxification service for opiate dependent individuals called Project Special Delivery (PSD) in November, 2000
• The PSD program gives priority admission to HIV+ persons, injection drug users, and pregnant women.
• PSD offers individual, family, and group counseling for consumers and their loved ones.
• PSD personnel also provide close case management and aftercare services.
Controlled substance users, particularly injection drug users, are at greatest risk for new HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections and transmissions. Education and treatment reduce and often eliminate these risks. Project Special Delivery is based on the concept of Harm Reduction.
WHAT IS HARM REDUCTION?
The operating principle of harm reduction is “any positive change.” The style is ego-building, not ego-breaking, and aims to increase self-esteem, self-love, and self-efficacy. Harm reduction does not mean supporting all behaviors. It recognizes that while people are judged by and accountable for their behavior, behavior must be understood within a context.
Understanding the context is not the same thing as excusing certain behaviors… we remain accountable or responsible for our own behavior, but we try to understand the context in which it occurs. Understanding how, why, or when we do things can often help us figure out ways to modify or change our behavior. Visit the Harm Reduction Coalition website for more information.
Research has identified factors that contribute significantly to the probability that an individual will change his or her behavior to avoid risk or harm. A person is more likely to lower his or her risk if he or she:
1. Believes that the advantage of making the change are greater than the disadvantage;
2. Has formed a strong intention to change;
3. Has the skill to perform the changed behavior;
4. Believes he/she can make the change;
5. Believes that the change will more likely produce a positive (rather than negative) emotional response;
6. Believes the new behavior is consistent with his or her self-image;
7. Perceives that there is a social support for the change;
8. Experiences no environmental barriers blocking the change.
See our Brochure
To apply for Services call 907.452.4222: ext.114
Medicaid and insurance are accepted. Sliding fee scale available.
See fee schedule and sliding fee scale.
For more information on our services, please contact us
Please note: After contacting someone by email, if you have not received a
response within 48 business hours (Sat. and Sun. are excluded), please call the
phone number below.
Methadone Program Staff: 907.452.4222
Brenda Reichenberg: brenda@interioraids.org ext 101
Brenda Henze-Nelson, Clinical Supervisor: henzenelson@interioraids.org ext 114
Jackie Kleewein-Strom, Counselor: jackie@interioraids.org ext.104
Copyright 2004 - Present, Interior AIDS Association, all rights reserved.
710 Third Ave., Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. Phone: (907) 452-IAAA (4222). Fax (907) 452-8176
Email: info@interioraids.org
Calypso Farm and Ecology Center - Home
Calypso Farm and Ecology Center - Home
Our mission is to encourage local food production and environmental awareness through hands-on education in natural and farming ecosystems.
Our mission is to encourage local food production and environmental awareness through hands-on education in natural and farming ecosystems.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
National HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day is June 27th.
At Interior AIDS Association this year we will be encouraging everyone to come in and get tested.
We will be testing all week in our office.
Sunday June 27th 2 PM-5PM
Mon June 28th -July 2nd
9AM - 5PM
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Interior AIDS Association
Our Mission IAA'S mission is to reduce the spread of HIV by providing meaningful and effective education and prevention services to individuals and groups who may be at increased risk; and to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS by providing early intervention, case management, and other support services.
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