Message from the Program Coordinator, Veronica Tirado:
“We are excited to continue the work we’ve done in providing conveniently located HIV/STI testing and linkage to care at Norwegian American Hospital into the new year. With a bilingual and culturally competent staff, our community outreach, testing and specialized referrals are all extended to Chicago’s most vulnerable populations.”
In collaboration with Norwegian American Hospital (NAH), Integrated PASEO (Promoting Actions that Support Recovery through Services and Outreach) co-locates HIV/STI and hepatitis C screening, testing and treatment within a behavioral health setting in order to provide seamless prevention, education and care services to underserved populations. This program will expand evidence-based behavioral health, HIV, and hepatitis services for African American and Latino adults living in Chicago. The population of focus includes: gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults. At least 1,000 people will be served annually with the goal of reaching over 4,000 people over the life of the project.
We aim to improve health outcomes for participants through increased access to HIV counseling, testing, and referrals; access to hepatitis screening and testing; and evidence-based behavioral health interventions. The team creates personalized health plans for each client to insure proper level of care and treatment including specialized service referrals. These needs will be met through culturally relevant interventions tailored for our specific community including free harm reduction kits for intravenous drug injection users, female and male condoms and packages of lubrication.
Integrated PASEO provides linkages to care for people who test positive for HIV/ STIs and Hepatitis C, through referrals for treatment and follow-up appointments. Any clients that screen positive for substance abuse, require detox services or those clients with mental health issues, will be referred for treatment and follow-up.
Norwegian American Hospital (First Floor), 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
Garfiel Center (10 S. Kedzie Ave.), 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri
Hours: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
(773) 342-0855