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***Story Writing and Video Contest for Young People: Deadline December 1*** The HEAR ME Project is once again sponsoring its annual HIV/AIDS story writing competition. Young people ages 14 to 22 are encouraged to submit their original stories, either real or made up, about vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. This year, the HEAR ME Project is also launched a new video contest. The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2007. For more information go to:
St. Therese Services Now Available in Southwest Las Vegas
The southwest Las Vegas community is now being served by the San Martin Campus [St. Rose Dominican Hospital]. The center will provide food vouchers, bus tokens and rent assistance to clients in need. The center is located on the Garden level in the Outreach offices and will be open for clients Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saint Therese Center is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and depends on the prayers and contributions of concerned individuals, businesses and churches. They gladly take donations of any dry food items for the food pantry.Most services at the Saint Therese Center are free of charge and gifts are gratefully received.
SOURCE: St. Therese Center - San Martin Camput (St. Rose)
Public Policy Committee Also Invites Your Participation
The Las Vegas Ryan White Planning Council Public Policy Committee is new. It advocates on public policy issues that impact Ryan White Planning Council efforts to implement an HIV service delivery plan for the Las Vegas Ryan White TGA. You DO NOT have to be a member of the Ryan White Planning Council to be a member of the Public Policy Committee. Participation by consumers, providers, council members and community leadership is needed. The Public Policy Committee meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 10:00 AM. If you are interested in playing an active role in influencing policy decisions that affect HIV/AIDS service delivery in our area, please contact Gary W. Vrooman at (702) 568-5927.
SOURCE: Nevada AIDS Project "Positive Ramblings," Issue 3, June 2007.
Heavy Alcohol Consumption Affects HIV Disease Progression
According to a recently published study, heavy alcohol consumption can cause an increase in the rate of HIV disease progression in HIV infected people who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Researchers found that alcohol use significantly decreased the CD4 cell count in this group compared to nondrinkers, thereby leading to faster progression. The study concluded that HIV infected people who are not on ART should avoid heavy alcohol use to reduce the rate of HIV disease progression.
For more information about this article and HIV disease progression, see the following resources:
AIDSinfo Health Topics: Alcohol and Other Substance Abuses
Source: AIDSinfo ISSN 1558-3228; August 24, 2007.
Changes to the Ryan White Program in Las Vegas (April 27, 2007) To all Ryan White Clients:
In December 2006, President Bush signed a new law that has allowed Ryan White funding to continue. The new law is now called the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment and Modernization Act of 2006.The new law, however, has many changes from previous years and will affect how services are delivered to the Las Vegas HIV/AIDS community now and in the coming months. What will this change mean to clients? Services that you normally received from agencies funded by Ryan White may have already changed and may change further in the future.These changes are the result of limited funding and changes to the law.We know that all HIV/AIDS agencies in our community are doing whatever they can to assist clients in whatever way they can to meet clients needs.
What should I do if I need to register for the Ryan White program as a new client? Since May 1st 2007, new HIV/AIDS clients who would like to register for services have been asked to schedule an appointment with the Ryan White program staff located at Clark County Social Services ~ 1600 Pinto Lane.Eligibility determination will be done at this location on a short term basis until community agencies are funded.You may contact Ryan White staff for an eligibility appointment by calling Linda Jones at (702) 455-6556.
What should I do if I need to have my annual Ryan White eligibility done? The Centralized Services Office (CSO) located at 2300 So. Rancho, Ste 201 & 218 is now permanently closed.If you previously visited that office to have your eligibility done you will need to schedule an appointment with the Ryan White program staff members who have been re-located to Clark County Social Services ~ 1600 Pinto Lane. this service will be delivered at this location on a short term basis until community agencies are funded.You may contactLinda Jones at (702) 455-6556 if you need to schedule an appointment.
The Ryan White Grantee office will continue to give information to the agencies and the Ryan White Part A Planning Council as it becomes available to ensure they communicate and work together to provide the best services available to clients now and in the future.
What if I need a dental referral for the UNLVSchool of Dental Medicine?
Clients and providers should contact the UNLV School of Dental Medicine directly.UNLV will verify the client’s eligibility for dental services and determine if there are any prior resources available to the client.Once the eligibility is established, the client will be given a Dental Referral form to take to their medical provider so current lab results can be added to the Dental Referral form.The client will then need to return the completed Dental Referral form to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine and schedule an appointment. UNLV School of Dental Medicine Referrals for Ryan White Part A dental services 1001 Shadow Lane, MS 7410 ~ Las Vegas (at Shadow Lane and W. Charleston) Call (702) 774-2412
How will I see my Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor who was at the CSO? The mental health and substance abuse providers will be able to schedule Ryan White clients to be seen at their home offices.Please contact the agency directly to speak to the counselor or to schedule an appointment:
Bridge Counseling - 1701 W. Charleston Avenue, Suite 400 ~ Las Vegas (between Charleston underpass & McDonald’s). ~ Call (702) 474-6450.
CommunityCounselingCenter - 1120 Almond Tree Lane, Suite 207 ~ Las Vegas (at Sahara Ave. and Maryland Parkway). ~ Call (702) 369-8700 (for communication with Bob Barone or Sheri Burch - counselors)
Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health - 6161 W. Charleston Ave ~ Building 1 ~ Las Vegas (at Jones and W. Charleston). ~ Call (702) 486-9672 ~ (for communication with Kathleen Quinlan- counselor)
WestCare - 5569 Duncan Drive ~ Las Vegas ~ (at North Rancho Drive and Duncan Drive). ~ Call (702) 385-2020 Ext 223 – (for communication with Jerry Parks - counselor)
Caminar recently announced the Grand Opening of "Acacia Gardens." This brand new complex offers quality housing for disabled adults and supportive services in a cottage setting.
Please contact Anita at (702) 471-6360 for more information.
How do I receive AIDS Drug Assistance (ADAP)?
Effective July 1, 2006, coordination of ADAP for Southern Nevada was shifted from UMC Wellness Center to Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN). ADAP is the federally-funded program - administered through the State of Nevada - involving eligibility screening and authorization of payment for AIDS-related and other prescription drugs for eligible PLWHA,
Clients can see any of AFAN's Case Management staff members for assistance with new ADAP applications or reassessments. For further information, please contact AFAN at 382-2326.
SOURCE: Jennifer Roberts, Director of Operations for AFAN.
Where can I Go for Ambulatory Outpatient Medical Care and Dental Care?
Are you RW-Eligible and Looking for Outpatient Medical Care?
1) The Wellness Center - A clinic of University Medical Center (UMC) located at 2300 South Rancho Road, Suite205. Several HIV Specialist physicians are on staff with particular expertise in prescribing HAART regimens, treating co-existing medical conditions (co-morbidities), and the full spectrum of HIV-specialty care. Call for an appointment: 383-2691
2) Community Outreach Medical Center - Rubin H. Saavedra, MD has also been awarded RW funding to serve HIV positive clients. Dr. Saavedra has established partnerships for referrals of his HIV positive patients who require specialty care. The neighborhood setting offers an alternative to clients with general health care issues. This clinic recently re-located to 1440 North Eastern (at Owens); call 657-7837 for an appointment.
Are you RW-Eligible and Looking for Dental Care?
UNLV School of Dental Medicine, Student Doctor Clinic - Serving RW-eligible patients. The UNLV School of Dental Medicine is a teaching institution where future dentists learn how to provide comprehensive care to patients under the supervision of dental faculty. Appointment lengths may vary, but generally range from two to four hours. The dental school is located at 1700 West Charleston Boulevard, Building A. For more information call 774-2400.
Check Out our Expanded List of Web Links!
The Links page of this website has been expanded to include live website links and brief descriptions of agency mission and/or services provided by various HIV/AIDS, advocacy, support service organizations and governmental offices. Browsing through the list may help you find exactly what you need - and never knew existed within the Las Vegas TGA - or nationally.
As always, suggestions for additions/corrections to our website managerare always welcome.
Address: 333 N. Rancho Drive, Suite 390 - Las Vegas, NV 89106
Funding for this Website provided in part through a grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.