HIV Testing:
Over 2,500 individuals were tested through the HIV counseling, testing and referral program. The agency had a very high positivity rate, over 3%, in 2009 and has successfully linked most of those newly diagnosed clients in to care at NO/AIDS. Testing is performed by specially trained staff and volunteers. The tests can be anonymous or confidential. Testing was conducted at our Tulane Avenue offices, the CAN office, the CareVan mobile medical unit, and community locations such as bars and bath houses.

HIV prevention services:
Prevention department staff distributed over 553,000 condoms, engaged in health education/risk reduction encounters with more than 1,520 individuals, and partnered with over 60 community organizations to conduct HIV prevention activities. Services include community and venue-based outreach, prevention material distribution, health education, and internet outreach. 2009 re:Vision held over 30 events for the young gay/bi men’s community.

Case management:
NO/AIDS Task Force medical case managers assisted 1,262 individuals and non-medical case managers assisted 1,295 individuals to meet their primary medical care, medications, housing, transportation, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and other needs using an extensive referral network of more than 100 service providers in New Orleans and through the agency’s Collaborative AIDS Support Services (CASS) Office in Houma, LA. Additionally, the NO/AIDS Task Force Comprehensive Risk and Counseling Services (wellness case management program) provided assistance to 65 clients.

Primary Medical Care:
761 individuals accessed Early Intervention/Primary Medical Care Services. An educator and a staff nurse work to provide wellness education and interpretation of lab values. A physician and two nurse practitioners provide medical assessments and physical exams, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications.

Medications assistance program:
The medication assistance program served 1,024 individuals with pharmacy services provided primarily through Avita Drugs. Additionally, the agency facilitated access to pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs for 346 individuals, yielding a cost-savings of $1,049.069 over the past year.

Mental health services:
330 people received mental health services. Services are rendered though individual and group sessions as well as psychiatrist referrals. 300 individuals received psychosocial support though individual and support group sessions with behavioral health therapists and peer support specialists.

Peer support:
Peer support specialists worked with 142 HIV-infected individuals through the peer support program. This peer program works through individual sessions as well as a variety of support groups.

Food program:
53 men, women and children received home delivered meals through the agency’s Food For Friends program. For individuals who may not be able to cook for themselves, meals are prepared and frozen for delivery. 24,724 meals were delivered during the year. In 2009, meal preparation was contracted with Palate Catering New Orleans; volunteers delivered the meals. 384 people received food pantry allotments. Eligible clients are able to access food and personal care items on a monthly basis. 4,732 bags of groceries were distributed.

Housing:
NO/AIDS provided housing to 10 individuals in Exchange House, our transitional housing facility in Houma, and offered coordinated referrals to over 100 people in its housing coordination program. NO/AIDS is providing intensive case management and services for 98 individuals through our newest housing program, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). The program provides housing to people with disabilities and who have difficulty living successfully in communities and/or who may become homeless or institutionalized without the support of the program.