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Welcome to the August edition of the MAP AIDSLine Update!

Uncertain about what resources may be available for your HIV-positive clients? The MAP AIDSLine can help providers find the resources they need. With a database of over 500 HIV prevention and service resources throughout Minnesota, we can help you find the best resource. If we can't find something immediately, we will research it and call you back. We can be reached at 612-373-AIDS or 800-248-AIDS, or TTY 612-373-2465 or 888-820-2437.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. In the News
3. HIV Community Bulletin Board
4. Statewide Calendar of Events
5. HIV Adult Foster Care
6. Case Management Update
7. Job Openings

Introduction

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over. Livin' is still easy, though. Enjoy what remains of summer by catching some great entertainment during the Minnesota Fringe Festival by attending Bitter Boy's Musical Journey from Negative to Positive. Details on this and more can be found below.

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In the News

Federal Update: ADAP TrOOP Legislation Introduced

Legislation has been introduced to allow Medicare Part D-related costs incurred by the federally funded AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to count toward a beneficiary’s True Out-of-Pocket Costs (TrOOP) expenses, ensuring that all Part D enrollees are permitted appropriate access to the catastrophic coverage. Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN) has co-sponsored Medicare TrOOP Fairness legislation.

Under current law, costs incurred by ADAP on behalf of Medicare Part D enrollees during their coverage gap (i.e. while the enrollee is in the so-called “doughnut hole” and is responsible for 100 percent of their drug costs) are not permitted to count for TrOOP purposes. In turn, many individuals with HIV are never able to ever reach the catastrophic limit (the point at which Medicare would pay 95 percent of the beneficiary’s drug costs). As a result, these beneficiaries are forced to pay premiums to their Medicare drug plan and to absorb the monthly drug costs for a benefit they are not able to access.

Stay posted on this and other legislation by keeping an eye on the MAP Advocate.

Red Ribbon Ride a Success

What a weekend for a ride! The cyclists pedaled 300 miles in southwestern Minnesota, and the temperature topped 90 degrees each day. Together the riders and crew raised money for nine AIDS service organizations that benefit from the Red Ribbon Ride presented by Chipotle.

Minnesota AIDS Project is proud to be a beneficiary of the Red Ribbon Ride, and our heartfelt thanks go out to the riders, crew, donors and ride organizers.

International AIDS Conference To Be Held In Toronto

The International AIDS Conference, the world's largest HIV conference will be held August 13-16 in Toronto. The conference provides an international, open and independent forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and research which will inform HIV organizations and strengthen prevention, treatment and care efforts worldwide. During the course of the conference, stay connected to new the studies and information released by visiting www.mnaidsproject.org. There will be a summary of and access to online coverage available on the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) Web site throughout the conference.

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HIV Community Bulletin Board

Below are announcements submitted by HIV service organizations that are of general interest to Minnesota's HIV community. Email Bulletin Board announcements to the MAP AIDSLine by the 25th of each month for publication the following month.

Rural AIDS Action Network headquarters office has moved. The new address is 208 Second St NE, #102, Little Falls, MN  56345. The local phone is now 320-631-0404 and the fax is 320-631-0405. The toll-free phone number, email, and Web site are still the same. Also, there are no changes in the contact information for HIV case managers. See the HIV Resource database for complete information on RAAN.

Minnesota AIDS Project reminds people about its Quick Connect program. Quick Connect is a brief services program for individuals living with HIV who do not have an HIV case manager and are new to the Twin Cities, newly diagnosed, or who are accessing HIV services for the first time. The appointment typically lasts about an hour and individuals usually see a Quick Connect counselor once. To schedule an appointment, contact the MAP AIDSLine at 612-373-2437 or TTY  612-373-2465. Interpretation services available.

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Statewide Calendar of Events

If you have an event to promote to the HIV community, please contact us by the 25th of each month via email or call MAP AIDSLine at 612-373-2437 or 800-248-2437. We publish information about HIV-related events being held in Minnesota. 

August 1 HIV Planning Council Community Voice Committee

The Community Voice Committee is the arm of the HIV Planning Council that represents people living with HIV. It discusses how federal money should be spent to improve the lives of people living with HIV in Minnesota. Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. at Harriet Tubman Center, 3111 1st Ave S, Minneapolis. For a full list of Planning Council and various associated committee meetings, call 612-596-7894 or 888-638-3224. Learn more about the Planning Council by clicking here.

August 1 Positive Link Twins Baseball

The Twins are playing the Texas Rangers this evening. There are a limited number of seats available for the game, so call 612-373-2463 or 612-373-2466 to reserve a spot. Meet at Minnesota AIDS Project, 1400 Park Ave, Minneapolis at 6:30 p.m. and walk to the Metrodome for the 7:10 p.m. game.

August 1 Health Interventions for Men (HIM) Program Between Men Discussion Group

This eight-week group offers men who are attracted to men an opportunity to meet and discuss issues in their lives. The topics include: family, coming out, phobias, sex, sexuality, safety, dating, HIV/AIDS, and community. To sign up for this group, send an email to him@co.hennepin.mn.us. Learn more at www.himprogram.org.

August 3, 4, 9, 10, 12 Minnesota Fringe Festival Bitter Boy's Musical Journey from Negative to Positive

Bitter Boy Productions opens its first venture, Bitter Boy's Musical Journey From Negative To Positive, for the Minnesota Fringe Festival. This spring, after careful contemplation, Steven Meerdink, artistic director of the Minneapolis Musical Theatre, made the brave decision to make his HIV diagnosis public by writing about his personal journey, incorporating a wide variety of musical numbers. This show is not so much about the disease itself but about how we are all challenged by hardships, how they shape us and how we can choose to move forward. This show is at the Red Eye Collaboration Theater, 15 Fourteenth St W, Minneapolis. Show times vary. For more information, visit www.fringefestival.org. For tickets, contact Uptown Tix at 651-209-6799 or www.uptowntix.com. Proceeds benefit Minnesota AIDS Project.

August 4 Aliveness Project Community Picnic

Head over to Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis for good food and good company. The picnic is from noon to 3 p.m. For details, call the Aliveness Project at 612-833-7946.

August 7 Positive Link Social 7

Summer is winding down and Positive Link is going to take advantage of the warm weather on the patio of Uncommon Grounds at 7 p.m. For more information on this and other Positive Link events, call 612-373-2463 or 612-373-2466.

August 8 Minnesota HIV Services Planning Council  Meeting

The Planning Council establishes program and service priorities that help determine how Ryan White funding will be used statewide. The Planning Council seeks membership from communities affected and infected with HIV, and meetings are open to the public. The full planning council meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon at Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis. For a full list of Planning Council and various associated committee meetings, call 612-596-7894 or 888-638-3224. Please confirm date and location of meetings, as these sometimes change. Learn more about the Planning Council by clicking here.

August 8, 15 Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) Legal Services Department Immigration Clinics

Immigration clinics at MAP's Minneapolis office are staffed by volunteer attorneys and are held the second and third Tuesday of each month starting at 3 p.m. Consultations are by appointment only. Contact Dan Kelly at 612-373-2426 for an intake and to schedule an appointment. Clinics are held at MAP, 1400 Park Ave S, Minneapolis. 

August 8 Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) Tuesday Niters

On select Tuesday nights, volunteers meet at MAP to help with special projects. Tuesday Niters is a great way to help MAP and meet people at the same time. Join us from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at MAP, 1400 Park Ave S, Minneapolis. Volunteers are welcome to stop by when they can and leave at their convenience. Stop in and lend a hand! For more information about this and other volunteer opportunities, visit MAP's volunteer opportunities Web page, call 612-373-9160 or send an email.  

August 11, 12, 13, 14 Soul Essence - African American GLBT Pride

Individuals from the African American GLBT community and their allies are gathering to build unity and celebrate their unique version of GLBT pride. Soul Essence exists to provide a model of unity and pride for African-American GLBT residents of the Twin Cities. Information about events can be found by visiting www.soulessenceminnesota.org.

August 11, 16, 17, 18, 19 American Red Cross of the St. Paul Area African American HIV Education and Instructor Course

This course prepares individuals to share information and teach the skills needed to reduce the risk of HIV infection within the African American community. Participants learn how to facilitate HIV educational sessions by gaining culturally sensitive teaching strategies to present facts about HIV accurately and nonjudgmentally, while dealing with related psychosocial issues. Participants must attend all of this training course to receive certification. It is at the St. Paul Area Chapter headquarters building near downtown St. Paul. To register and for cost information, call 651-291-4689. Hours vary. Call for details. Information about this course is available online. Other Red Cross chapters across the state offer HIV education courses. Contact the local chapter for more information.

August 17 Strong. United. Positive. (S.U.P.) Meeting for Positive Youth

This is a monthly gathering for young adults, ages 16 to 20-something, who are living with HIV. Experience support through friendship. Come meet new people for dinner, games, movies, music, and conversation. The group meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Park House, 2120 Park Ave S, Minneapolis. Please RSVP to Peggy, 612-964-8525. Call day or evening. Calls are confidential.

August 19 Positive Link "BYOB" (Buy Your Own Brunch) 

Join Positive Link for "Buy Your Own Brunch" at the Chatterbox Café, 229 E 35th St, Minneapolis. Brunch begins at 11 a.m. For more information, call 612-373-2463 or 612-373-2466. 

August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4 Duluth Superior GLBTQAI Pride Festival

Come to the Twin Ports and celebrate Pride! A number of events are planned. Check the Web site for details. 

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HIV Adult Foster Care Update

(As of August 25)

This is a list of HIV adult foster care homes in the Twin Cities and information regarding openings for new clients. For more information on phone numbers, intake procedures, and locations, contact the MAP AIDSLine at 612-373-2437 or 800-248-2437. Openings at foster care homes can change quickly. Contact Maureen Wells to verify current openings.

Agape (I & II)—No openings.
Clare House—No openings.
Damiano House—No openings.
Grace House (I & II)—No openings.
Hope House—One opening.

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Case Management Program Update

(As of August 25)

This is a list of Minnesota HIV case management programs and information regarding openings for new clients. To update information, or to add a case management program status to this list, please contact John Auger by the 25th of each month at 612-373-2448, 800-248-2437, or by email. For more information on phone numbers and intake procedures for any listed case management program, contact the MAP AIDSLine at 612-373-2437 or 800-248-2437.

Clinic 42—Minneapolis—Openings for new clients with 1-month wait list.

Hennepin County Medical Center—Minneapolis—Openings with two- to three-week wait for Transitional Case Management. Permanent case management has 5 to 6-month wait list. Clients who speak Oromo, Amharic, or Somali are now subject to the same wait list as other individuals. Immediate openings for women who are pregnant. All case management clients must be patients at the infectious disease clinic.

Indigenous Peoples Task Force—Minneapolis—Openings for new clients.
                                                               Brainerd—Openings for new clients.
Westside Community Health Services—St. Paul—Openings for new clients.

Mayo Clinic—Rochester—Closed for new clients. Will take someone in crisis.

Minneapolis Urban League—Openings for new clients with 4 to 6-week wait list.

Minnesota AIDS Project—Twin Cities Metro—Closed for new clients.
                                                 Duluth—Openings for new clients.
                                                 St. Cloud—Openings for new clients.

Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN)—Alexandria—Openings for new clients.
                                                                    Hibbing—Openings for new clients.
                                                                    Mankato/Le Sueur—Openings for new clients.
                                                                    Sandstone—Openings for new clients.
                                                                    Bemidji—Openings for new clients.
Care advocacy available for individuals who live outside the case management regions.

HealthPartners Specialty Center—St. Paul—Openings with 6-month wait list; priority given to HealthPartners patients.

Turning Point—Minneapolis—Openings for new clients.

Youth and AIDS Projects (YAP)—Minneapolis—Openings for new clients.
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center—Minneapolis—Openings for new clients. Must be a U.S. veteran.

Access Works Prevention Case Management—Minneapolis—Openings for new clients. Targets current or former injection drug users who are at high risk for contracting or transmitting HIV and/or Hepatitis C.
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Job Openings

Please visit our Employment page to view current job openings.

If you have a position you would like to promote to the HIV community, please send us an email or call MAP AIDSLine at 612-373-2437 or 800-248-2437. We publish openings for jobs specifically related to HIV prevention or HIV services in Minnesota.

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During the first week of each month, this update is sent to over 500 subscribers who are involved in HIV prevention and service in Minnesota. If you have information to contribute, please contact MAP AIDSLine via phone or email by the 25th of the previous month. We publish information about HIV-related events and programs in Minnesota. All information is subject to editing and approval by MAP staff.

The MAP AIDSLine Update is available through email list service. If you wish to subscribe to the MAP AIDSLine Update, contact MAP AIDSLine by phone or email.

MAP AIDSLine
Minnesota AIDS Project
Phone 612-373-2437 or 800-248-2437
TTY 612-373-2465 or 888-820-2437
www.mnaidsproject.org
mapaidsline@mnaidsproject.org

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Last Updated: Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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