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.
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