HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Client Support

Regional Prevention and Support Programs

The AIDS Institute established the Regional Prevention and Support Programs (formerly the Community Service Programs or CSPs) in 1984 to serve as the first community-based organizations dedicated to providing HIV/STD/hepatitis prevention and client support services. 

This important core funding is intended to be a foundation to strengthen the agency and the region’s capacity to build and expand HIV/STD/HCV related programming across New York State (NYS).  The 14 RPSS providers play a significant role in the implementation of AIDS Institute and Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention priorities and are critical partners in accomplishing Ending the Epidemic goals in NYS.   
Funding allows for the provision of:

  • Targeted client recruitment/engagement;
  • Targeted HIV testing and linkage to care services;
  • Behavioral counseling;
  • STD/HCV screening and linkage to care;
  • Effective interventions for HIV-positive persons, their partners, and HIV-negative persons who engage in high risk behaviors;
  • Harm reduction services;
  • Linkage and navigation to care;
  • PrEP/PEP education, screening and support;
  • Condom promotion, education and distribution to HIV-positive persons, their partners, and HIV-negative persons who engage in high risk behaviors;
  • Treatment adherence; and
  • Other supportive services (e.g., mental health, transportation, nutrition).

Prevention interventions and client services are provided in community and criminal justice settings and address the prevention and support needs of HIV-positive persons as well as individuals at highest risk for HIV/STD/HCV, including men who have sex with men, young men of color who have sex with men, substance users, heterosexual men and women who engage in high-risk behaviors, and transgender men and women.  All services consider the unique social and cultural needs of populations served.

The expected outcomes are reduced disease incidence, decreased rate of HIV/STD/HCV transmission, decreased high-risk behaviors among HIV-positive and at-risk persons; increased proportion of HIV/STD/HCV-positive individuals who are aware of their status, and increased proportion of HIV-positive persons who are linked to prevention, partner services, and treatment/medical care.

Contact

Bethsabet de León Stevens
Director, Bureau of Community Based Services
Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention
(518) 486-1412
bethsabet.deleonjustiniano@health.ny.gov

Nkechi Oguagha
Director, Bureau of Special Populations
Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention
(212) 417-4707
nkechi.oguagha@health.ny.gov

Return to Top of Page

Targeted Prevention and Support Programs

The AIDS Institute established the Targeted Prevention and Support Programs {formerly known as the Multiple Service Agency (MSA) Initiative} in 1992.  The goal of the initiative is to provide the opportunity for community-based organizations serving high-need communities of color to expand their service capacity to provide effective HIV, STD, and hepatitis C (HCV) prevention interventions and ensure HIV-positive individuals are engaged in care and are supported.

This initiative supports a high impact approach to prevention and support services to achieve Ending the Epidemic initiative goals.  Funding supports programs that provide a targeted HIV/STD/HCV prevention interventions and related services to individuals who engage in high risk behaviors and persons living with HIV. 

Funded interventions and activities seek to decrease the spread of HIV/STD/HCV through the provision of interventions and services that focus high-impact prevention efforts in communities where HIV is most heavily concentrated; expand targeted efforts to prevent HIV transmission using a combination of effective, evidence-based approaches; educate and raise awareness about HIV-related issues, including prevention, transmission, health disparities, and stigma/discrimination; and integrate STD and HCV screening/testing, referrals and education within HIV programming.  Services are delivered in community or criminal justice settings and take into consideration the unique social and cultural needs of populations served.

Prevention interventions and client services are targeted to individuals at highest risk for HIV/STD/HCV, including men who have sex with men, young men of color who have sex with men, substance users, heterosexual men and women who engage in high-risk behaviors, and transgender men and women.  Services may include:

  • Targeted client recruitment/engagement;
  • Targeted HIV testing and linkage to care services;
  • STD/HCV screening and linkage to care;
  • Harm reduction services;
  • Effective behavioral interventions for HIV-negative persons who engage in high risk behaviors and persons who are HIV positive;
  • Navigation and linkage to care;
  • PrEP/PEP education, screening and support; and
  • Condom education, promotion, and distribution

The expected outcomes are reduced disease incidence, decreased rate of HIV/STD/HCV transmission, decreased high-risk behaviors among HIV-positive and at-risk persons, increased proportion of HIV/STD/HCV-positive individuals who are aware of their status, and increased proportion of HIV/STD/HCV-positive persons who are linked to prevention, partner services and treatment/medical care.

Contact

Bethsabet de León Stevens
Director, Bureau of Community Based Services
Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention
(518) 486-1412
bethsabet.deleonjustiniano@health.ny.gov

Nkechi Oguagha
Director, Bureau of Special Populations
Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention
(212) 417-4707
nkechi.oguagha@health.ny.gov

Return to Top of Page