Aids Foundation Houston Inc

AFH'S MISSION IS TO END THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.

HOUSING SERVICESHOUSING SERVICES UTILIZES THE "HOUSING FIRST" MODEL BEST PRACTICE TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDES THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES NEEDED TO ENSURE MEDICAL ADHERENCE. PROJECT T.E.X.T. M.S.G. PROVIDES A HOUSING SOLUTION FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18-25 LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. PROJECT A FRIENDLY HAVEN ASSISTS FAMILIES WITH A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS TO ACHIEVE A GREATER SENSE OF SELF-DETERMINATION TO ENABLE THE FAMILY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND STABLE HOUSING. THE FIRST RESPONDERS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON INDIVIDUALS, WHO HAVE BEEN CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, ARE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS, ARE DISABLED, AND ARE LOW INCOME. BURRESS STREET APARTMENTS SERVES SINGLE WOMEN WHO ARE HIV POSITIVE WITH CO-OCCURRING ISSUES, AND WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. HELP HOUSE IS A PROGRAM LOCATED IN A 22-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND SERVES LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OR COUPLES WHO ARE HIV POSITIVE AND HAVE CO-OCCURRING ISSUES AND ARE AT RISK FOR HOMELESSNESS.

PREVENTION SERVICESPREVENTION SERVICES REACH PRIORITIZED POPULATIONS TO DIAGNOSE NEW HIV TRANSMISSIONS, TO PROVIDE INTERVENTION AND RISK REDUCTION SERVICES, AND TO AFFECT MEDICAL ADHERENCE GOALS. AFH PROVIDES SERVICES TO OFFENDERS AND THE RECENTLY RELEASED THROUGH A WALL TALK AND SOMEBODY CARES, A PEER-TO-PEER EDUCATION PROGRAM, LINKAGE TO CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THE BRIDGE REENTRY INITIATIVE PROGRAM PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL AND SHORT TERM HOUSING TO RECENTLY RELEASED INDIVIDUALS FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HARRIS COUNTY. AFH ALSO PROVIDES TESTING THROUGHOUT THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY THROUGH MULTIPLE VENUES WITHIN COMMUNITIES WITH THE GREATER RISK AND AT AFH'S MAIN OFFICE. RISK REDUCTION, COUNSELING, TESTING, AND RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO REQUESTS TESTING SERVICES. DUE TO PARTNERSHIPS WITH A REQUIRED MEDICAL AFFILIATE, AFH HAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PREP CLINIC AND UTILIZES 340B BENEFITS TO EXPAND PREVENTION EFFORTS. DUE TO RECENT CHANGES IN INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR 340B BENEFITS, AFH IS IN PROCESS OF DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS MODELS WHICH MAY, AMONGST OTHERS, INCLUDE OPENING PRIMARY CARE CLINICS, EXPANDING SATELLITE LOCATIONS AND EXPANDING SERVICES TO ITS EXISTING HOUSING POPULATION.

VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORT SERVICESSUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOOD PANTRY, STONE SOUP, WHICH PROVIDES FOOD AND BASIC NEEDS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. AFH PROVIDES ACCESS TO MAINSTREAM BENEFITS, LINKAGE TO CARE FOR PRIORITY POPULATIONS SUCH AS THE RECENTLY RELEASED, CHRONICALLY HOMELESS AND THOSE CURRENTLY OUT OF CARE. AFH ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, MENTORING AND NAVIGATION SERVICES. PROJECT CORE IS AN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CURRENT CASE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO EMPLOYMENT OR TO IMPROVE A PERSON'S INCOME THROUGH EMPLOYMENT. CAMP HOPE PROVIDES HIV-POSITIVE KIDS AGES SEVEN TO 16 FROM LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS NEEDED TO MANAGE A LIFE WITH HIV/AIDS IN A HEALTHY AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT. FOR ONE WEEK, CAMPERS LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAL ADHERENCE, HOW TO MANAGE DISCLOSURE OF THEIR STATUS IN RELATIONSHIPS AND WITH THEIR PEERS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH STIGMA.