The HIV/AIDS Program works to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS in San Luis Obispo County and to provide care and support services to those affected by the disease.
Our mission has several components:
- To provide HIV prevention services, including HIV antibody testing at public health and community sites, to populations at-risk for contracting HIV.
- To provide accurate and timely HIV and AIDS case data to the State and Federal government by assisting physicians and laboratories to report cases, by investigating cases of public health importance and by offering confidential assistance to people when needing to disclose their positive HIV status to partners.
- To provide services to people with HIV/AIDS and their families including medical care, AIDS drug assistance, social services and housing programs.
- To provide case management programs for people with HIV/AIDS living in the community and transitional case management to those with HIV/AIDS paroling from the state prison system.
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On April 17,2006, The Governor signed legislation to make HIV reportable BY NAME throughout California. Effective immediately, all health care providers and laboratories should become aware of new reporting processes, including the patient's name on each new viral load or HIV test report before submission to San Luis Obispo County's HIV/AIDS Surveillance Coordinator, Michelle Shoresman. For further information, please see the documents referenced below and contact Michelle at 805-781-5540. |
San Luis Obispo Office
- 2191 Johnson Avenue
- San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Phone: 805-781-5540 or 805-781-4200
AIDS Support Network
Our Services:
AIDS Case Management Program
Nurses and social workers provide support services, coordination of medical care, and in-home visits for individuals with HIV needing more intensive care. Services include teaching and assistance with medications, day-to-day living strategies, food and transportation vouchers, durable medical equipment, health monitoring, nutritional supplements, and referrals for other services as needed.
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Transitional Case Management Program
This program provides transitional services from prison to the community for parolees with HIV/AIDS throughout California. Services include housing assistance, food vouchers and bus tokens; referrals to alcohol and drug counseling, educational programs and community services; and assistance with obtaining public benefits.
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Testing and Other Services
- HIV antibody testing—along with HIV transmission information and risk reduction counseling—is offered free of charge at Public Health Department clinics in Paso Robles, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach and at neighborhood sites throughout the county.
- Hepatitis C antibody testing is available at Public Health Department clinics in Paso Robles, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach and at neighborhood sites throughout the county for former and current injection drug users. Support services for people with Hepatitis C are available from the SLO Hepatitis C Project: 805-543-4372, Website address http://www.slohepc.org
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- HIV/AIDS case reporting, data collection and case investigations.
- Confidential disclosure to partners of people who have tested HIV positive and counseling for those wishing to disclose their status to others on their own.
- Consultation, training, STD curricula, teaching aides and technical assistance to improve capacity of community agencies that provide STD information to youth around San Luis Obispo County.
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Services Offered through Community-based Organizations
- HIV Prevention Program: The Public Health Department contracts with community-based organizations to provide HIV prevention information to people at risk for contracting HIV—individual counseling, group education, peer education and skill-building workshops are examples of the services these programs offer.
- Early Intervention Program: The Public Health Department contracts with the AIDS Support Network to provide access to medical services, health education, psychosocial assessments and access to substance abuse treatment programs for people newly diagnosed with HIV.
- AIDS Drug Assistance Program: Eligible participants may access HIV-related medications at local pharmacies once their eligibility has been confirmed through the AIDS Support Network.
- Ryan White Emergency Care Act: Funds for services such as dental care, benefits counseling, gas vouchers, psychosocial counseling are available for eligible participants through the AIDS Support Network.
- Housing Opportunities for People with HIV/AIDS: This program assists people with HIV with housing and utility services through the AIDS Support Network.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does someone get HIV?
A. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is most often spread by an infected person during unprotected sex between two people, or by sharing needles. HIV is spread when blood, semen (including pre-ejaculate), vaginal fluid, or the breast milk of someone with HIV gets into the body and bloodstream of another person. Some people have gotten HIV from blood transfusions or blood products; however, donated blood has been tested since 1983, so the risk is now extremely low.
Q. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
A. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Someone with HIV usually does not develop AIDS immediately; many people will not experience the first symptoms of AIDS for 5-8 years after contracting HIV. AIDS is characterized by the collapse of the body's immune system, making them more susceptible to contagious diseases such as pneumonia.
Q. How do I get tested for HIV?
A. Testing is by appointment at the following Public Health sites: San Luis Obispo (805-781-5540), Grover Beach (805-473-7050), Paso Robles (805-237-3050) and Morro Bay (805-772-6380).
Q. What services are available to people with HIV in our community?
A. Many services are available to people with HIV. The best way to access these services is to call the Public Health Department (781-5540) or the AIDS Support Network (781-3660).
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Information Regarding the New California Law requiring HIV Reporting by Name
Additional Information (Epidemiological Profiles of SLO County, HIV Reporting)
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