PREVENTION SERVICES

Project DAWN

Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is a community-based overdose education and Naloxone distribution program that was created to combat Ohio’s opioid overdose epidemic.

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing.

Naloxone has been used safely by emergency medical professionals for more than 40 years with one critical function: reverse the effects of opioids in order to prevent overdose death.

For more information, navigate to the Project DAWN program page.

The Beyond Identities Community Center (BICC)

Founded in April of 2004, the Beyond Identities Community Center has been a safe haven for over 2,500 LGBTQ youth of color in the Greater Cleveland-area. Envisioned as a community drop-in center, BICC has featured programming addressing the sexual, mental and emotional health needs of this highly vulnerable population while also remaining committed to developing and providing solutions to combat the persistent educational, housing, financial and nutritional needs that often affects the sexual minority youth community.

For more information about the Beyond Identities Community Center Program, please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter

Social Networks Advocating PrEP (SNAP)

Social Networks Advocating PrEP or SNAP is research project through partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin focused on discovering the what barriers exist that prevent African-American/Black MSMs (Men who Sleep with Men) from accessing and/or remaining adherent to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. PrEP, a preventative medication consisting of a daily dose of the anti-retroviral drug known as Truvada, has been proven to help prevent the contraction of HIV if taken as prescribed and is a relative newcomer in the fight to end HIV. To date, while African-American/Black MSM makeup nearly 50% of all new HIV infections each year, they utilize PrEP at lower rates than other vulnerable populations. This project is intended to explore the reasons for this and offer solutions to improve adoption and adherence of this prevention breaktrhough.

SNAP is actively looking for new participants who meet the following criteria:

  • African-American/Black
  • Aged 18-69
  • Sexually active with other African-American/Black men
  • HIV Negative and NOT currently on PrEP

If you meet these criteria, please contact Jordian Foster, SNAP Research Manager at (216)-235-3424 for more information.

AHF Mobile Testing

Thanks to our affiliation with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), we have been offering mobile HIV testing services through the Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) since 2014 in the Greater Cleveland+ region as well as several cities throughout Ohio. The MTU has two (2) private, climate-controlled rooms through which we have provided on-site, confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling services to over 9,000 Ohioans.

The HIV test offered through our mobile testing services is a 60-second rapid test which uses a small amount of blood gathered by a tiny, relatively painless, finger prick. It is important to note that a negative result from this test indicates that you HAVE NOT contracted HIV within the specified window period. However, a positive result is considered a preliminary indication that you MAY have contracted HIV and will require a second test to confirm these results.

Conducting an HIV test is only one part of the services provided during an HIV testing session. Counseling services are also a core piece of this service. Our trained and knowledgeable testing staff will help you understand your behavioral risk factors and provide information for reducing those risks moving forward. Regarless of your status, we also provide referrals and linkage to care and supportive services offered by a number of organizations in the Greater Cleveland area including the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

For more information, please visit the AHF-sponsored Free STD Check website.