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Welcome to the September edition of the MAP AIDSLine Update!

Have questions about HIV risk? 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 Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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

AIDS 2006, the International AIDS Conference held in Toronto in August, emphasized the link between prevention and treatment as one of the principles to guide us as we move forward searching for options and better answers.

In the News

XVI International AIDS Conference

Health care professionals, government representatives, health educators, and interested members of the HIV community came together from around the world to Toronto, Canada for the International AIDS Conference, the theme of which was Time to Deliver.

Conference topics included:

• Adoption of routine HIV testing which becomes provider initiated rather than patient initiated. Issues surfaced surrounding human rights, privacy, and the expected impact of lack of pre- or post-test counseling.
• Microbicide research appears promising as a way to give women power to protect their own health. However, these products, applied before a sexual encounter, may not be effective enough for them to really be a meaningful tool. As some proponents pointed out, however, even a product with only 33-50% effectiveness will stop large numbers of infections.
• Evidence is mounting that circumcision can reduce HIV infections in males. The efforts to increase the numbers of circumcised males will be challenged by religious and cultural as well as social norms and practices.
• Vaccine development continues and cash is being infused into that effort by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
• A new idea, oral prevention, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, was discussed. Similar to post-exposure prophylaxis, which requires an anti-HIV drug regimen after exposure, pre-exposure prophylaxis would require taking anti-HIV drugs before sexual exposure.
• There is substantial room to improve the rate at which we use pharmaceutical intervention and caesarean section to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.
• Former President Bill Clinton reminded attendees that not enough attention is being given to the existing tools that we know work.

Attendees found the conference worthwhile, with some re-hashing of old topics, while they simultaneously got a glimpse of newer themes that will be discussed in the months ahead.

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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.

PrideAlive is offering free HIV testing on Wednesdays at Vera’s Café, 29th and Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. Drop by between 8 and 10 p.m. and grab an "Outreach Queer." The test is quick and painless, with no blood or needles. Results come back in one week, so drop in any Wednesday during September to get the result. Questions? For more information, contact Michael Lee or call 612-373-9165.

Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) Legal Services provides consultation, for immigrants facing HIV-related issues, with an attorney at two sites: MAP's Minneapolis office, 1400 Park Ave S, Minneapolis and at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), 701 Park Ave, Minneapolis.

Consultations at HCMC are available only for individuals receiving care through HCMC. These are held the first Monday of each month starting at 3 p.m. Immigration clinics at MAP's Minneapolis office for all other individuals are the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of each month starting at 3 p.m. Consultations for both locations are by appointment only. Contact Dan Kelly at 612-373-2426 for an intake and to schedule an appointment for either location.

Immigration clinics in September are as follows: September 11- HCMC; September 12 & 19 - MAP.

Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) Quick Connect Program is for individuals living with HIV who do not have an HIV case manager and are new to the Twin Cities, or newly diagnosed, or who are accessing HIV services for the first time, or wanting to reconnect to HIV services. 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 are 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. 

September 5 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.

September 6 HIM Program Men’s Monthly Discussion: “HIV Disclosure and Dating”

Drop by to join the group discussion of “HIV Disclosure and Dating---When and How to Bring It Up”. The meeting is held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Loring Park Recreation Center, 15th and Willow Street, Minneapolis. This casual drop-in discussion group offers gay and bisexual men a lively forum to explore issues important in their lives. Men’s Monthly Discussion is open to all gay and bi men, even those who attended other HIM programs and want to come back for more. Topics include dating and relationships, coming out, community and connection, Internet sex, and sexual health. Free of charge. For more information, see the HIM Program Web site or contact William Burleson at 612-348-6641 or william.burleson@co.hennepin.mn.us.

September 7 Positive Link Social 7

Roll into Fall and wave goodbye to Summer, with Positive Link at the Roller Garden at 5622 W. Lake St, St. Louis Park. Skating starts at 8:30 p.m. For more information on this and other Positive Link events, call 612-373-2463 or 612-373-2466.

September 9 West Central Minnesota AIDS Walk

The West Central AIDS Walk goal is to raise monies for emergency assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the 30 rural counties of west-central and northwestern Minnesota. Walkers start from Big Ole Park in Alexandria at 10 a.m. For further information visit the Web site.

September 9 Women and Families Network Women’s Health Conference

This conference provides HIV-positive women an opportunity to take time out to focus on their health and well being while sharing experiences with other women living with the virus. The conference begins at 9 a.m. and will be held at Embassy Suites, 175 East 10th St, St. Paul. For more information, call Elizabeth Burgos 651-602-7577.

September 11 PrideAlive Roof Top Movie

Join the PrideAlive volunteers for a night on the town while they attend the cinema classic, “Mommie Dearest”, shown on the roof at Solera. The diabolical epic will be shown on the rooftop at this charming downtown nightspot located at 9th St and Hennepin. For more information on this and other PrideAlive events, visit www.pridealive.org or call 612-373-9165.

September 12 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 Plymouth Congregational 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.

September 14 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, in Minneapolis. Please RSVP to Peggy, 612-964-8525. Call day or evening. Calls are confidential.

September 15 Greater Minnesota HIV Training Series

The Minnesota Department of Human Services HIV/AIDS Division, in conjunction with Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, the Rural AIDS Action Network, The Minnesota AIDS Project and other southwest service providers, is offering a free comprehensive training on creating and utilizing the HIV/AIDS service systems in Greater Minnesota. This training is appropriate for local public health department staff, county social workers, medical care providers, and social service organization staff. Training is 9 a.m.–3:30 pm at Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Drive, Chaska. To register, call the MAP AIDSLine 612-373-2437 or 800-248-2437.

September 15, 21, 22, 23 American Red Cross of the Twin Cities Basic HIV Education and Prevention Instructor

Participants will learn how to share the facts about HIV accurately in a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive manner and to lead group discussions. Location is the St. Paul Office of the Red Cross at 176 S Robert St. For further details: call 651-291-6789 or visit the Web site. Other Red Cross chapters across the state offer various HIV education courses. Contact the local chapter for more information. 

September 16 Positive Link “BYOB” (Buy Your Own Brunch)

Join Positive Link for "Buy Your Own Brunch" at the Crystal Café, located at 2732 Douglas Dr., Crystal. Brunch begins at 11 a.m. For more information on this and other Positive Link events, call 612-373-2463 or 612-373-2466. 

September 21, 22 Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Conference

“Healing Ourselves and Strengthening Our Work with HIV/AIDS” will be offered by MDH at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Boulevard, in Prior Lake. The purpose of the conference is to improve the capacity of community based organizations as they deliver HIV/AIDS services to people of African, American Indian, Asian and Latino descent. For further details, call 651- 201-5813 or email: ommh@health.state.mn.us.

September 21 University of Minnesota Continuing Education

 “What’s Current in Contraception, STI Prevention and Treatment” will be offered from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. at the Continuing Education and Conference Center, 1890 Buford Ave, St. Paul. For further details, call 317-247-9008 or email: jstephenson@hcet.org

September 30 Positive Link Twins Baseball Game

Take me out to the ball game! Meet at 10:45 a.m. at the MAP Office at 1400 Park Ave S, Minneapolis and then walk over to the Dome for an 11:10 a.m. game start.  For more information on this or other Positive Link events, call 612-373-2463 or 612-373-2466.

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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 Jim Nastoff by the 25th of each month at 612-373-2446, 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—Openings for new clients.

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

Minneapolis Urban League—Openings for new clients.

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 at the Minnesota AIDS Project.

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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Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site.