Intro | Residential Treatment | Outpatient Treatment | HIV/AIDS Prevention & Services | Homeless Prevention

HIV/AIDS Prevention and Services

Persons who are homeless present with HIV/AIDS at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the population. Camillus has therefore developed numerous services addressing the twin epidemics of addiction and HIV/AIDS. All HIV/AIDS services are closely linked with health care services through Camillus Health Concern.

Prevention Case Management

Camillus is funded through the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) to provide Prevention Case Management (PCM) services to homeless adults who are living with HIV, and who are also suffering from mental illness and/or addiction. PCM provides an intensive level of case management, HIV/AIDs prevention education, and mental health counseling through individual and group sessions. The goal is to help persons who have multiple problems to address their co-occurring issues and stabilize their lives, so that they are able to prioritize HIV/AIDS prevention in their lives.

Ryan White Case Management

Camillus offers specialized Ryan White Case Management services for persons with HIV/AIDS. The Ryan White Case Manager has on-line access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS services at Mercy Hospital and is able to ensure that clients receive all of the services for which they qualify, including health care and housing

FIU Partnership for HIV/AIDS Research

Camillus has established a partnership with Florida International University (FIU), College of Health and Urban Affairs, for a three-year long HIV/AIDS study. Through the partnership, Camillus is providing space to FIU on-site at the Camillus emergency facility and assisting in recruiting patients for the study. FIU directs the study and provides the medical staff who are conducting the research. The study, funded through the National Institute of Health (NIH) is a double-blind clinical research trial studying the effects of zinc supplements on HIV positive drug users. The directors of the study believe that over-the-counter zinc supplements may be able to significantly increase a person’s immune system, particularly for populations who are typically non-compliant with medication regimes.

The study serves as an excellent outreach tool for Camillus. Many of the clients who initially come in because they would like to receive the participation incentives, are then introduced to Camillus and eventually agree to enter long-term services. Further, the study may prove to be extremely beneficial for the population served at Camillus, which shows high rates of HIV infection and drug use.