AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan Programs & Services Quick Reference

AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan2911 5th Avenue Regina, SK S4T 0L4 Office Phone: 306-924-8420 or 306-924-8421 Toll Free Line: 1-877-210-7623

Support Services Coordinator (Mondays to Fridays unless otherwise requested)Morag 306-924-8421 or 306-529-8196

Direct one-on-one support to HIV+ clients in and out of office

Education and Outreach (Mondays to Fridays unless otherwise requested) Bobbi and Kasey 306-924-8420

Presentations about HIV/AIDS, stigma, testing and care, harm reduction and Hepatitis C Information booths, promotion of the agency, programs and services, community

engagement

Needle Exchange Program (Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm; Saturdays 10am to 5pm)Kayla and Andrew 306-924-8420

Offers new and clean drug equipment including needles, sharps containers, tourniquets, alcohol swabs, sterile water, filters and cookers

Harm reduction counselling Provide information about HIV, STI and Hepatitis C testing

Drop In Centre (Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm; Saturdays 10am to 5pm) Kayla and Andrew 306-924-8420

Daily coffee, toast, water (sometimes treats) Public telephone for outgoing calls Resources including pamphlets, event posters, phone numbers Agency and food bank referrals, provide housing list and other information

Circle of Courage Support Group (Bi-weekly Wednesday’s offsite)Krista Shore 306-924-8420

Can be self-referred or referred by other resource Bi-weekly support group for HIV+ women who are mothers or expectant mothers

Anyone at Risk Support Group (Thursday evenings beginning at 5pm)Dan Lindsay & Norma Jean Byrd306-924-8420

Open to everyone with discussion surrounding addictions, mental health, homelessness, barriers to service, sexual health, cultural support and anything else the participants wish to discuss

AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan Detailed ReferenceSupport Services

The support services program works directly with people living with HIV/AIDS. Our support services is built upon the understanding that the capacity to manage and maintain health while living with HIV/AIDS is determined, in part, by factors such as income level, housing, access to care, access to health services, access to quality health care, and individual coping skills. The Support Services Coordinator works in conjunction with individuals to determine personal needs and together design supportive plans which may include but are not limited to: practical needs (food, clothing), health services (transportation, education, medication, and nutrition), support (counseling, alternative treatments), housing issues and referrals to other agencies. The Support Services Coordinator provides support on a one to one basis; the coordinator makes home visits, hospital visits, plans social activities with client and meets the client where they are at. If clients wish to disclose their positive status to individuals or in a family or friend setting, the coordinator aids in facilitating the conversation while debunking myths and enhancing education around HIV/AIDS. Our Support Services Coordinator, through the Jerome Nagel and Ric Ranger wellness fund can provide financial support to positive clients including help with medication, transportation, infant formula, and psychological counselling.

Education and Outreach

The education and outreach program provide information and resources to everyone. Through the program, the team works to increase awareness around HIV/AIDS in the province and reduce the stigma associated with the disease. In addition to presentations, we have also been involved in events where we were able to set up information booths and provide information to volunteers, prospective students, the general public and any other sources looking for information.

Needle Exchange Program

We operate six days a week, Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 5pm. Individuals accessing the program are provided with various services including harm reduction counselling, new and clean injection drug use supplies, and referrals. The needle exchange program is confidential and discrete. Individuals can collect items from our exchange including tourniquets (ties), filters, alcohol swabs, sterile water, cookers and needles. We also provide condoms to all individuals accessing programs and services at our office. Our staff, volunteers and students also do community needle pickups and provide individuals with instructions on how to safely collect and discard needles found in the community.

Drop In Centre

The drop in centre is open the same hours as the needle exchange program, Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 5pm. Our drop in centre provides coffee, toast and water daily. The centre also has plenty of information available including posters about events, agency pamphlets and agency phone numbers. Individuals who visit the drop in centre also have access to a public telephone, can complete food bank referrals and seek support from staff.

We also have many additional supports in our drop in weekly: Tuesday afternoons: RQHR Addictions Counsellor provides individuals with support,

referrals to treatment and programming. Wednesday mornings: Carmichael Outreach housing support. Thursday afternoons: RQHR Nurse Patti comes to the office providing HIV, STI,

Pregnancy and Hep C testing to individuals.

Circle of Courage Support Group

The Circle of Courage support group is offered offsite bi-weekly on Wednesday. Individuals can self-refer or be referred by other sources. This unique program focuses on HIV-positive women with children who may or may not be HIV-positive, women who are caring for adopted and foster HIV-positive children, and HIV-positive women who are considering pregnancy. This peer-based support group focuses on empowering, encouraging, supporting and educating the participants about HIV, HIV medications and side effects, and provides a safe and confidential place for people to share. The group explores issues of isolation, discrimination, stigma and depression. Participants determine what direction each session takes. The group meets two times per month. The long-term goal is for the participants to become mentors to other HIV-positive women who may be considering pregnancy or who are already pregnant.

Anyone at Risk Support Group

The Anyone At Risk Support Group meets on Thursday evenings in our drop in beginning at 5:00pm. The group is facilitated by Dan Lindsay and Elder Norma Jean Byrd. There is childcare available to individuals attending the group. Supper is also provided. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Elder provides some teaching each week, and each walk clients have an opportunity to share and discuss what is going on in their lives during a talking circle. Rides can be provided as needed. Please contact the APSS office for more information. Phone 924-8420.