The Prevention Unit offers different programs to help individuals infected and/or at risk adopt risk-reducing behaviors.

The goal of the Condom Distribution Program is to have condoms, female condoms and lubricants easily accessible to the community.  Condoms are available for free at local beauty salon, barber shops, bars, hotels other Community Based Organizations and other businesses in East and Central Harlem. The program currently has 95 businesses participating in the Condom Distribution Program. The program has expanded to the South Bronx where we currently have 6 businesses participating.  The Community Outreach Workers also conduct outreach at targeted locations, including high risk venues at night.  The Community Outreach Workers also table at Health Fairs and Events where they disseminate prevention education literature and safer sex kits. 

The Community of Color Program allowed Iris House to enhance the Condom Distribution Program and its outreach efforts.  It expanded the outreach team from 3 to 12. The beauty of the program was that Iris House was able to hire its own clients to conduct outreach.  This allowed the clients to have a sense of responsibility and worth.  It also allowed the clients to work in the community they are familiar with.  It also allowed the Prevention Program to cover more areas with more outreach workers who disseminated thousands of safer sex kits, hygiene kits and prevention education literature.

Co-Factor Program is an initiative focused on two co-factors depression and substance misuse/abuse.  Individuals will be screened for depression and substance abuse. Referrals and follow ups will be conducted for individuals who screening results are positive for depression and/or substance abuse. Post cards with mental health and substance abuse treatment information will be given to all.  All individuals who are screened are encouraged to get tested for HIV.  All individuals who screen positive for substance use are offered a referral Iris House’s Harm Reduction Program.

Rapid HIV Testing component will provide OraQuick Rapid Testing to high-risk individuals in East and Central Harlem. Many people with HIV do not get tested until late in their infection.  Approximately 40% to 50% of people with HIV infection are diagnosed with AIDS within 1 year of first testing HIV positive (CDC 2005).  In the past, many people who are tested did not come back for their results.  With the OraQuick rapid testing method, a person can receive their results in 20 minutes. HIV pre/post counseling is still conducted during the testing session. The goal of the program is to test 118 individuals a month.  All tests are conducted in a confidential and respectful environment.

 

Teen Workshops are conducted quarterly with the focus on prevention. Pre and post tests are given to each teen to assess their knowledge coming into the workshop and once the workshop is over.  HIV 101 presentation and condom demonstrations are done to educate the teens. Iris House also invites someone to give there testimonial about how they contracted HIV and how they are living with the virus.  The testimonial allows the teens to engage with someone who is positive and doesn’t perpetuate stigma.  A short film or two pertaining to HIV/AIDS and/or sexuality are shown to spark conversation between the facilitator and students. The teens enjoy a great lunch and incentives for participating in the workshop.

 

Iris House uses a Harm Reduction model to incorporate a spectrum of strategies from safer use to managed use to abstinence.  Women and Men at high risk for HIV/AIDS or living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to reduce their dependency on drugs, alcohol and other harmful chemicals so that safer sex choices can be made.

Life Skill Counselors are available to assist clients with building strength to make better choices and achieve healthier living.

The goal of The Support Network is to help clients identify their high risk sexual and substance using behaviors that could result in the transmission of HIV to others or lead to negative health outcomes for themselves.

Services Provided:

• On-site Individual Counseling
• A 12 week cycle of Preventive Educational Groups (English/Spanish)
• On-site HIV counseling and testing
• Referrals to Medical Care, Sub-stance Abuse Treatment, and Social Services based on clients needs.

Click here to download a bochure of this program.