The Adolescent AIDS Program participates in a number of youth-focused community outreach initiatives through partnerships with youth and HIV programs throughout the Bronx and the City of New York. Our outreach work aims to prevent HIV infection among HIV-negative youth and to identify early and link to care quickly those youth who are HIV-positive.
HIV Counseling & Testing
The AAP provides free, youth-friendly HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infections) counseling and testing at venues and locations throughout the Bronx. We organize testing events alone and in partnership with other community-based organizations that care for youth between the ages of 13 and 24.
HIV Education
The AAP provides on- and off-site training activities geared to youth to increase awareness of adolescent HIV issues and also provides trainings to improve provider capacity for HIV risk assessment, risk reduction, HIV counseling and HIV care for adolescents.
Community Involvement and Networking
The outreach staff at the AAP actively participate in various Bronx, New York City and national care networks and consortia addressing youth issues such as HIV testing, treatment and prevention as well as LGBT health issues. In addition, the AAP works with other healthcare programs, family planning centers, substance use programs and community-based organizations within Montefiore Medical Center, the Bronx and New York City to ensure appropriate awareness of key issues and to facilitate referrals into care for teens infected with HIV.
Get Tested! Week
The AAP’s outreach efforts culminate each year in Get Tested! Week. Now an annual event, Get Tested! Week mobilizes youth and healthcare providers to increase HIV testing among young people at risk for HIV infection. Contact us to find out how you can participate in our next Get Tested! Week.
EPIC LOFT (Education, Prevention, Information, Care) LOFT (Lifting Oppression, Fighting Transmission) Peer Education Program
Each year, the AAP recruits and trains a corps of peer educators between the ages of 18 and 24 that assist the program in community outreach programs for youth. Based on the Youth Development model, the Peer Education Program seeks to equip youth with the life skills and critical thinking necessary to become successful adults committed to community engagement and development. Stipends are provided to peer educators for their work.
To learn more about any of AAP’s outreach programs, contact Justin Toro, LMSW at 718-882-0232, ext. 220 or [email protected].