Posts Tagged ‘Hawthorne’

More Choices, Safer Sex: What the Female Condom Can Do

Friday, August 31st, 2012

More Choices, Safer Sex: What the Female Condom Can Do

This one-day training will provide current data on female condom efficacy and acceptability, hands-on practice that addresses proper female condom insertion and use-related challenges, and strategies and skills to help participants provide clients with effective condom negotiation skills.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify values and attitudes that impact provider ability to effectively promote the female condom;
• Identify the advantages of female condom use and importance of promotion;
• Address barriers and strategies to female condom use as related to insertion difficulties and problems with use during sex;
• Provide clients with strategies for negotiating female condom use with partners; and;
• Describe ways to integrate the female condom into risk reduction counseling within the context of different client situations.

Prerequisite: None
Audience: All health and human service providers that provide risk reduction counseling.

Register today!

Dining Out for Life Ambassador Training: Hawthorne

Friday, March 16th, 2012

Calling all DOFL 2012 Ambassadors and committee members! We’re holding 3 one-hour training sessions for ambassadors to prepare you for Dining Out for Life on April 26th. We’ll do some role playing, watch a short video, and go over best practices when you’re talking with diners and donors.

Training sessions will be held at 6 pm on:
March 28th – the home of Bob Brink and J. Dewey, Beacon

April 2nd – ARCS Hawthorne, 40 Saw Mill River Rd., Hawthorne

April 4th – ARCS Poughkeepsie, 235 Main St. Suite 207, Poughkeepsie


RSVP here to any of the 3 training sessions. Thanks very much – see you soon!

Improving Health Outcomes for HIV-Positive Individuals Transitioning from Correctional Settings to the Community

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Improving Health Outcomes for HIV-Positive Individuals Transitioning from Correctional Settings to the Community
6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 9a-5p – Hawthorne ARCS

This one-day training is for non-clinical providers who work with HIV positive clients who were formerly incarcerated or who are involved in the criminal justice system. The training will inform providers about the culture of corrections as it relates to HIV-infected inmates’ needs upon community re-entry. Best practices will be reviewed to assist formerly incarcerated clients living with HIV/AIDS establish and maintain linkages to care, as well as maneuver through the system and access needed services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of community providers in supporting successful community re-entry for incarcerated HIV positive clients;
• Describe the distinction between jail and prison custodial settings and how HIV transitional planning services differ;
• Outline the challenges that HIV-infected inmates face upon release;
• Describe effective engagement techniques for working with inmates who are transitioning into community systems of care;
• Discuss strategies for conducting assessments with former inmates who are living with HIV/AIDS to learn about their needs and to create appropriate linkages and referrals; and
• Identify support services and resources for HIV infected inmates who have left the correctional system.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information, harm reduction and corrections.
Audience: All health and human service providers who work directly with formerly incarcerated clients

Advanced Training on the Needs of Incarcerated PLWHA Upon Community Re-entry

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Advanced Training on the Needs of Incarcerated PLWHA Upon Community Re-entry
OASAS accreditation now in application process
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 9a-5p – Hawthorne ARCS

This one-day training is to increase the awareness and sensitivity of health and human service providers to the challenges of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) involved in community re-entry after release from a correctional facility. These challenges include the overlapping issues of family reunification, mental health, substance use, and need for HIV care. Best practices will be reviewed to support community re-entry and utilization of HIV medical care and other services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the specific challenges of family reunification for people living with HIV/AIDS;
• Describe the impact of unresolved past and possible future traumatic events;
• Use supportive inquiry to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the overlapping challenges encountered by released people living with HIV/AIDS as well as the strengths and resources of their “families” and/or social networks;
• Use strength-based strategies for supporting community re-entry for individuals with co-morbidities of HIV/AIDS, mental health/trauma issues, and/or substance abuse; and
• Facilitate clients’ access to HIV primary care and support services including drug treatment and overdose prevention to effectively manage challenges.

Prerequisite: It is required that participants take the AIDS Institute training, “Improving Outcomes for HIV-Positive Individuals Transitioning from Correctional Settings to the Community” before attending this training.
Audience: All health and human service providers who work directly with formerly incarcerated clients

HIV Testing in New York State

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
  • HIV Testing in NYS: 2010 Update
    † 4 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing); ‡ 4 CNE hours
    This half-day training will provide information about new developments in HIV testing as a result of passage of Chapter 308 of the Laws of 2010.

    As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

    List the core elements of the 2010 New York State HIV Testing law (S.8227/A.11487) and their importance;

    Recall that HIV testing must be offered to all persons between the ages of 13 and 64 receiving hospital or primary care services with some limited exceptions;

    Describe the simplified process for obtaining patient consent for HIV testing;

    List the elements of HIV pre and post-test counseling with an emphasis on streamlining the process;

    Recall the responsibility of the health care provider to arrange for follow-up medical care for all patients who test HIV positive;

    Describe changes in HIV testing related to occupational exposure; and

    Explain revised disclosure practices.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in basic HIV/AIDS.
Additional Training: Participants who would like an opportunity to practice the skills associated with offering HIV testing services may choose to attend “HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session.”
Audience: Experienced and new health and human services providers who offer HIV testing as part of their job responsibilities and other providers who require clarification on the 2010 HIV testing law.
Winter 2011 Dates: March 26, 2012 (1pm-4pm) Hawthorne

HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session
† 6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing); ‡ 6.5 CNE hours

This one-day training will provide participants with an opportunity to practice key skills related to offering HIV testing services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

Recall how to provide streamlined pre-test information;

Describe how to deliver preliminary positive and confirmed positive HIV test results;

Describe how to link newly diagnosed HIV positive patients to health care and support services;

Provide information to HIV positive patients to promote notification of sexual and needle sharing partners; and

Conduct the NYS domestic violence screening protocol.

Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and attendance at the AIDS Institute training, “HIV Testing in NYS: 2010 Update” within the previous six months.
Audience: All health or human service providers who offer HIV testing as part of their job responsibilities.
Winter 2011 Dates: March, 27 2012 (9am-5pm) Hawthorne

Integrating Screening for HCV and HIV

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

This one-day training will prepare participants to offer integrated rapid screening for HIV and HCV in a community setting.  It will provide basic information about hepatitis C transmission, epidemiology, spectrum of illness, diagnosis and treatment.  By participating in the training, participants will learn how to deliver HIV and HCV pre and post test messages in a seamless, integrated fashion and will learn about referrals that are essential for people who test positive for HCV antibodies.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Recall basic information about hepatitis C transmission, epidemiology spectrum of illness and treatment;

Deliver integrated prevention messages for HIV and HCV;

Explain to clients the value of being tested for HIV and HCV during the same visit;

Deliver integrated HIV and HCV pre and post test messages to clients;

Describe to a patient or client the meaning of a positive, negative or indeterminate HCV rapid antibody screening; and

Refer clients with a positive HCV screening for further medical care including testing to determine if the person has chronic infection with HCV

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV testing.
Audience: Experienced health and human service providers that conduct rapid HIV screening and plan to expand the offer of services to include rapid HCV screening.
Winter 2011 Dates: March 29, 2012 (9am-5pm) Hawthorne

World AIDS Day with MAC Cosmetics!

Monday, November 14th, 2011

World AIDS DayWhat will you do to commemmorate World AIDS Day on December 1st? Our Hawthorne and Poughkeepsie offices will be offering free makeovers courtesy of the kind and talented employees from MAC Cosmetics. Their motto is “Every Day is World AIDS Day” but to get involved to officially recognize the impact of AIDS on our globe, employees are joining us to make our clients and volunteers feel strong, beautiful and special.

If you’re a client, an ARCS volunteer or donor, or you’re working in the HIV/AIDS field, please join us for a complimentary makeover at one of these locations! Makeovers take approximately 20 minutes.

ARCS Hawthorne – 40 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY 10532

11 am – 3 pm

ARCS Poughkeepsie – 235 Main Street, Suite 207, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

12 pm – 4 pm

To make an appointment, call Jana at 914-785-8283. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, but you must arrive by 2:30 in Hawthorne and 3:30 in Poughkeepsie.

Addressing Prevention with HIV-Positive Clients

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

† 6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing)

This one-day training will prepare participants to help people living with HIV to avoid sexual and substance use behaviors that can result in 1) transmitting HIV to others and 2) negative health outcomes for themselves. Topics to be covered and specific skills to be practiced include: psychosocial issues that can make it difficult for people living with HIV to change sexual and substance using behaviors associated with HIV transmission; identify provider values and beliefs about addressing prevention issues with their HIV-positive clients; practice using a booklet that helps people living with HIV consider issues related to disclosure to sexual and needle sharing partners; practice skills associated with working one-on-one with HIV-positive clients on prevention issues; explore specific strategies for working with special populations; and examine prevention resources and be able to make referrals for prevention services.
Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge and training on harm reduction and basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: All health and human services providers, especially those who work directly with HIV-Positive clients.
Fall 2011 Dates: November 10, 2011 (9am-5pm) Hawthorne

HIV Testing in NYS: 2010 Update

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

† 4 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing); ‡ 4 CNE hours

This half-day training will provide information about new developments in HIV testing as a result of passage of Chapter 308 of the Laws of 2010. The law requires HIV testing be offered to all persons between the ages of 13 and 64 receiving hospital or primary care services with some limited exceptions. The offering must be made to inpatients, persons seeking services in emergency departments, persons receiving primary care as an outpatient at a clinic or from a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or midwife. As a result of this training, participants will be able to: list the core elements of the 2010 New York State HIV testing law (S.8227/A.11487) and its importance; understand the timeline for implementation of the new law including the development of regulations by the NYSDOH; describe the simplified process for obtaining patient consent for HIV testing; list the elements of HIV pre and post-test counseling with an emphasis on streamlining the process; recall the responsibility of the health care provider to arrange for follow-up medical care for all patients who test HIV positive; describe changes in HIV testing related to occupational exposure; and, explain revised disclosure practices.
Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in basic HIV/AIDS. Additional Training: Participants who would like an opportunity to practice the skills associated with offering HIV testing services may choose to attend “HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session.”
Audience: Experienced and new health and human services providers who offer HIV testing as part of their job responsibilities and other providers who require clarification on the 2010 HIV testing law.
Fall 2011 Dates: November 15, 2011 (1pm-4pm) Hawthorne