Aid For Aids Of Nevada Inc

TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN LIVING WITH AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA. WORKS TO REDUCE THE INFECTION THROUGH PREVENTION EDUCATION TO ELIMINATE FEAR, PREJUDICE, AND THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISEASE.

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE CONSISTS OF CASE MANAGERS, WHO ARE THE FIRST AFAN REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET NEW CLIENTS. THESE CASE MANAGERS ASSESS THE NEEDS AND ELIGIBILITY OF NEW CLIENTS FOR AFAN'S SERVICES AS WELL AS OTHER AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS. THEY ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO HIV POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, SUCH AS LEGAL ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION AID, HOUSING SUPPORT, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE CASE WORKERS IS TO LEND GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO OUR CLIENTS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM. THEY ARE AT THE HEART OF AFAN'S CLIENT SERVICES STRUCTURE.

THE HOUSING PROGRAM IS DIRECTED THROUGH CASE MANAGERS, WHO ASSESS BOTH IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM HOUSING NEEDS OF AFAN CLIENTELE. INCLUDED IN THE CLIENT'S HOUSING ASSESSMENT ARE RELATED AREAS OF CONCERN, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH LEVEL, POTENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE, FAMILY MEMBERS (IMMEDIATE AND EXTENDED), OVERALL HEALTH, LEVEL OF DISABILITY, AND FINANCIAL STATUS. EMERGENCY UTILITY PAYMENT ASSISTANCE IS ALSO AVAILABLE. ADDITIONALLY, SOCIAL WORKERS, PRIMARY CARE GIVERS, NURSES, AND MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS, AMONG OTHERS, WILL COLLABORATE ON ASSESSMENT TEAMS, THEREBY ENSURING THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE FOR EACH CLIENT.

THERE ARE FOUR RECURRING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT AFAN FACILITIES. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1) LUNCH & LEARNS - HIV + EDUCATION WITH A MEAL PROGRAM; 2) PROJECT UPFRONT - HIV + SPEAKERS WHO HAVE PERFORMED OUTREACHES IN CLARK, MOJAVE AND NYE COUNTIES; 3) HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS PROGRAM - PROGRAM TO HELP HIV + PEOPLE WITH DISCLOSURE; AND 4) HEALTH FAIRS - PROMOTING AWARENESS IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN THE GREATER LAS VEGAS AREA.