Aids Service Association Of Pinellas Inc

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE INFECTED OR AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS.

THE RYAN WHITE PART A PROGRAM INCLUDES MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING. THE PROGRAM LINKS EPIC CLIENTS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMPROVED HEALTH AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE. CLIENTS ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM MUST PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY CARE AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT. EPIC CLIENTS ACHIEVED A 98 PERCENT SUCCESS RATE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS, WHICH RESULTED IN SLOWING DISEASE PROGRESSION AND ACCOUNTS FOR LOWER CHANCE OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS, WHICH ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THOSE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. FURTHER, IT MEANS FEWER VISITS TO EMERGENCY ROOMS, LOWER GENERAL MEDICAL CARE COSTS (INCLUDING PRESCRIPTIONS), AND REDUCED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, RESULTING IN BETTER OVERALL WELLNESS.

THE RYAN WHITE PART B PROGRAM INCLUDES MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT, NON-MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, ALONG WITH LOCAL PHARMACY SERVICES TO PROVIDE BOTH EMERGENCY HIV MEDICATIONS (17 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS) AND NON-HIV MEDICATIONS (163 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS). THIS PROGRAM IS A "WRAP AROUND" OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADAP) AND IS USED TO PREVENT A LAPSE IN TREATMENT. THE PROGRAM LINKS EPIC CLIENTS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMPROVED HEALTH AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE.CLIENTS ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM MUST PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY CARE AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT. EPIC CLIENTS ACHIEVED A 97 PERCENT SUCCESS RATE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS, WHICH RESULTED IN SLOWING DISEASE PROGRESSION AND ACCOUNTS FOR LOWER CHANCE OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS, WHICH ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THOSE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. FURTHER, IT MEANS FEWER VISITS TO EMERGENCY ROOMS, LOWER GENERAL MEDICAL CARE COSTS (INCLUDING PRESCRIPTIONS), AND REDUCED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, RESULTING IN BETTER OVERALL WELLNESS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) GRANT PROVIDES HIGH IMPACT PREVENTION SERVICES, THROUGH OUTREACH, TESTING, CONDOM DISTRIBUTION, PREP, CLEAR AND HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAMS TARGET THOSE WHO ARE PRACTICING HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS. CLIENTS MAY BE HIV POSITIVE OR HIGH-RISK NEGATIVE. THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO EDUCATE CLIENTS ON SAFER SEX OPTIONS AND WAYS TO REDUCE RISKY BEHAVIORS AND LINK INDIVIDUALS TO CARE.THE PROGRAM STAFF COORDINATES WITH OUR CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND OTHER COMMUNITY PROVIDERS. HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, SEX ADDICTION, HAVING SEX FOR MONEY, HOMELESSNESS, ETC., ARE DIRECTLY CORRELATED WITH INCREASED HIV INFECTIONS. STAFF MUST SERVICE 72 CLIENTS IN CLEAR (HIV NON-REACTIVE) AND 72 CLIENTS THROUGH THE HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION (HIV REACTIVE) EACH YEAR. STAFF MUST TEST A MINIMUM OF 1,200 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE YEAR AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN A MINIMUM OF 12 OUTREACH/TESTING EVENTS IN THE CALENDAR YEAR.

EPIC'S BRIGHTER SEASONS FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM: THE PROGRAM IS A GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN STARTED OVER 20 YEARS AGO BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN INFECTED AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS LIVING IN PINELLAS COUNTY. EPIC CURRENTLY SERVES 42 FAMILIES, WHICH INCLUDE 100 CHILDREN. EACH YEAR, BRIGHTER SEASONS PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH HOLIDAY FOOD PACKAGES AT THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS, A HOLIDAY PARTY WITH SANTA, A HOLIDAY GIFT DISTRIBUTION, AND A SPRING PICNIC AND EGG HUNT. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES BACK-PACKS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR, FULLY LOADED WITH NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES.OUR MEDICAL CO-PAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HELPS CLIENTS WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL AID FOR DOCTOR VISITS, LAB WORK, AND MEDICATIONS. TO QUALIFY, A CLIENT MUST BE HIV POSITIVE, EMPLOYED, INSURED, AND RESIDE IN PINELLAS COUNTY. IN ADDITION, CLIENTS ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE THIS SERVICE IF THEY ARE ON DISABILITY, MEDICAID, OR MEDICARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.EPIC PROVIDES FREE HIV TESTING FOR ANYONE AGE 13 AND UP, AS WELL AS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHOARE AT HIGH RISK FOR ACQUIRING HIV. EPIC PROVIDES SERVICES THAT COVER HIV POSITIVE NEW BORN BABIES OR BABIES WITH AN HIV POSITIVE PARENT. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE FOR ALL PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. MANY EPIC CLIENTS ARE SENIOR ADULTS.EPIC OFFERS HIV EDUCATION, PREVENTION SERVICES, TESTING, CASE MANAGEMENT, FOOD AND PERSONAL NEEDS PANTRY, A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM, SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND MANY OTHER OPTIONS. CASE MANAGERS HELP THEIR EPIC CLIENTS FIND AVENUES OF CARE AND OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP THEM DEAL WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS. TESTING IS PROVIDED BY CERTIFIED TESTERS AND STAFF EDUCATORS PROVIDE VITAL INFORMATION ON PREVENTION AND OTHER TOPICS. EPIC PROVIDES SUPPORT GROUPS AND COUNSELING FOR THOSE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS AND COLLABORATES WITH OTHER AIDS ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPTIONS. EPIC'S HOME 3050 AND 340(B) PROGRAMS MEET ALL OF AN HIV CLIENT'S HEALTH CARE NEEDS IN ONE PLACE, A TRUE ONE-STOP SHOP, SERVING OVER 1,200 CLIENTS ANNUALLY. TREATMENTS INCLUDE MEDICAL CARE, MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING SERVICES, CARE COORDINATION, AND PHARMACEUTICAL CONSULTS. THROUGH ITS 340(B) PROGRAM, 100% OF ALL PROCEEDS, REALIZED THROUGH EPIC'S PARTNERED PHARMACY, ARE ALLOCATED BACK TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND EPIC'S SERVICES TO THE HIV COMMUNITY.