Aids Taskforce Of Greater Cleveland Inc

Causes: AIDS, Health

Mission: To provide a compassionate and collaborative response to the needs of people who are infected, affected and at risk of hiv/aids, through leadership in prevention, education supportive services and advocacy.

Programs: Education and preventionthe taskforce provides comprehensive sexual health education, with an emphasis on hiv/aids prevention, through skills-building, risk-education management and by addressing community norms. A team of trained culturally-competent educators and volunteers conduct client-centered educational services for individuals of unknown, at-risk or positive status at in-house and community venues. The education department fosters an affirming, supportive and non-judgmental approach to service delivery.

direct client servicesthe aids taskforce of greater cleveland provides medical and housing case management services to individuals and families infected/affected by hiv/aids. There are no fees for services and no income guidelines or limitations to receive services; however some financial assistance programs do have eligibility criteria. Case management includes a comphrehensive assessment of the individual/family's psychosocial functioning, strengths and limitations; creating a highly individualized plan to address identified needs; linkage to appropriate services and resources; monitoring and evaluation of the individual/family's on-going needs. Access to consistent medical care, resources to remain compliant with medical plan and access to safe, stable housing are priority services. There are approximately 1,200 clients and their families currently receiving case management services through the atfgc.

housing servicesthe taskforce coordinated assistance for housing specific services including assessing and reducing barriers to housing acquisition and maintenance, dispersal of mrap/arap subsidies and assistance with identifying and applying for subsidized, low-income, permanent and emergency housing services. Crisis-based services are also provided through the aids resources collaborative housing program (arch) through which consumers receive assistance to maintain their housing. The program provides rental rights education & training, advocacy, and community services navigation. The program also works with housing systems to create new housing resources in the public and private sectors.

public policy initiativesthe aids taskforce of greater cleveland public policy and advocacy efforts strive to protect the rights of those already infected, and to lower incidence by seeking better access to prevention resources while protecting safety net services for care. We identify, develop and implement statewide strategy plans to engage consumers/clients and stakeholders. Activities include community advocacy trainings, decision-maker and legislator education, and social media outreach.