Posts Tagged ‘Newburgh’

Addressing Sexual Risk with Drug Users and their Partners

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Addressing Sexual Risk with Drug Users and their Partners

6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing)

This one-day training will build participant knowledge and skills in offering sexual harm reduction options to substance users. Although expanded access to syringes and drug treatment options have helped people greatly reduce their substance use-related risks for HIV, the latest research shows that sexual risk behaviors play a significant role in new cases of HIV among people who use drugs and alcohol.

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

• Recall the latest research that shows how expanded access to syringes and methadone maintenance programs has greatly reduced the number of new cases of HIV from substance use-related risk;
• Identify and discuss sexual risk behaviors clients engage in when using drugs and alcohol;
• Identify harm reduction strategies for reducing sexual risk among people who use drugs and alcohol; and
• Practice harm reduction messages tailored to sexual behaviors for people who use drugs and alcohol.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have attended the AIDS Institute training, “Reducing the Risk and Harm of HIV,” or have a working knowledge of harm reduction and addiction.
Audience: All health and human services providers.

January 30th, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hudson Valley Community Services, Inc.

280 Broadway

Newburgh, NY

ARCS' Newburgh Office Celebrates a 20-Year Volunteer Veteran

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
Roxie with her special cake

Roxie with her special cake

On Friday, October 5th, ARCS staff threw a potluck luncheon in our Newburgh office to honor Charlene “Roxie” Herring for her twenty years of volunteer work. Roxie, as she’s affectionately known, began volunteering for ARCS in 1992 when she heard about the high death rates among people with AIDS at that time. Since then she has become a welcome fixture of our Newburgh office. Staff presented Roxie with a special certificate and a bouquet of flowers to mark this milestone occasion.

“She is always ready to help wherever needed and is someone our clients feel comfortable speaking with while waiting for services in the reception area,” said Saqib Altaf, Assistant Director of Client Services. “Roxie is very proud of the work she does for ARCS, not only by volunteering her time, but on many occasions she brings in items for the ARCS pantry to be given out to clients. I have never seen her upset or in a bad mood. She is always pleasant, will greet you with a smile, and ‘what can I do for you today!’”

Doreen, our Administrative Coordinator, presents Roxie with a bouquet of flowers.

Doreen, our Administrative Coordinator, presents Roxie with a bouquet of flowers.

J. Dewey, our Director of Public Relations, presents Roxie with a certificate in honor of her 20 years of volunteer service.

J. Dewey, our Director of Public Relations, presents Roxie with a certificate in honor of her 20 years of volunteer service.

Roxie with most of our Newburgh staff.

Roxie with most of our Newburgh staff.

Promoting Primary Care & Treatment Adherence for HIV Positive Individuals

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Promoting Primary Care & Treatment Adherence for HIV Positive Individuals
6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing)

This one-day training is designed to increase awareness of non-physician health and human services providers about HIV primary care guidelines and treatment adherence. Providers who are aware of HIV primary care guidelines and strategies for supporting treatment adherence can play an important role in improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV.

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

• List the components of primary care for patients living with HIV;
• Identify the key elements of the annual comprehensive physical exam for patients living with HIV;
• Identify the routine laboratory screening and assessments used in primary care for people living with HIV, including methods used to assess and measure adherence;
• Recall the different classes of HIV medications and briefly describe how they work;
• Identify common barriers to treatment adherence, including medication side effects;
• List three specific strategies for promoting treatment adherence;
• Identify when referrals to specialty care may be needed;
• Work as a member of the care team to:
• help patients take advantage of health maintenance services, vaccination, and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections
• conduct client assessments and make referrals for a variety of psycho-social issues including substance use, mental health, domestic violence, smoking cessation, etc.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: All non-physician health and human services providers who work directly with people living with HIV including: case managers, counselors, nurses, support services providers and others.

Register today!

HIV and Hepatitis C Coinfection

Friday, August 31st, 2012

HIV and Hepatitis C Coinfection
3 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing); ‡ 4 CNE hours

This half-day training is for health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV and who need updated information about HIV/HCV coinfection in order to provide effective services to their clients. More than 25% of people living with HIV in the United States are coinfected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among people who acquired HIV as a result of injection drug use, the rates of HIV/HCV coinfection may be as high as 90%. HCV screening is recommended for all persons living with HIV.

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

• Recall basic information about the liver and hepatitis C, including transmission, prevention, course of illness, screening and treatment;
• Counsel their HIV positive client about the importance of knowing their HCV status;
• Describe how coinfection with HIV and HCV affects the progression of each disease;
• Recall current trends and improvements in treatment for people who are coinfected with HIV and HCV; and
• List at least three additional service needs of people with HIV who are also coinfected with HCV.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV/AIDS.
Audience: All health and human service providers.

Register today!

National HIV Testing Day – Newburgh

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
National HIV Testing Day is June 27th

National HIV Testing Day is June 27th

ARCS’ Project Reach Out is collaborating with a number of Newburgh-based agencies for a National HIV Testing Day event from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on the plaza at 280 Broadway, Newburgh, NY. FREE food, FREE fun, and FREE HIV testing. As always, HIV tests are confidential and the results are available in 20 minutes.

Hosted by Project Outreach, Planned Parenthood, the Newburgh Ministry, TEAM Newburgh, Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, Hudson River Health Care, OraSure, MISN,  Hudson Health Plan and Affinity.

For more information, call Jackie at (845) 522-5756.

FEAST: Sunday Tea Dance & Food Drive

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Feast_front

The first in a series of twice monthly tea dances for the Hudson Valley

at the Dry Dock in Newburgh! Get directions here.
Drink Specials
Free Food
3 Levels of Fun

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No Cover

BUT the organizers are asking for donations of nonperishable food
to help ARCS’ Food Pantries for the holidays. Our Mid-Hudson pantries are often woefully underfunded and empty out quickly, especially for Thanksgiving and the December holidays!
You can also make a suggested donation of $5

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Music by: Superior Sounds

DJ Line-Up TBA

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Dry Dock Phone: 845-562-DOCK

Gay Friendly Event
21+

Promoting Primary Care and Treatment Adherence

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

This one-day training is designed to increase awareness of non-physician health and human services providers and HIV primary care guidelines and treatment adherence. Non-physician health and human services providers who are aware of HIV primary care guideline and strategies for supporting treatment adherence can play an important role in improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV. At the end of this training, participants will be able to: list the components of primary care for patients living with HIV; identify the key elements of the annual comprehensive physical exam for patients living with HIV; identify the routine laboratory screening and assessments used in primary care for people living with HIV, including methods used to assess and measure adherence; recall the different classes of HIV medications and briefly describe how they work; identify common barriers to treatment adherence, including medication side effects; list three specific strategies for promoting treatment adherence; identify when referrals to specialty care may be needed; work as a member of the care team to help patients take advantage of health maintenance services, vaccination, and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections as well as conduct client assessments and make referrals for a variety of psycho-social issues including substance use, mental health, domestic violence, smoking cessation, etc.
Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: Non-physician health and human service providers who work directly with people living with HIV including: case managers, counselors, nurses, support services providers and others.
Fall 2011 Dates: September 15, 2011 (9am-5pm) Hawthorne

Register here.

HIV Disclosure: Deciding Who and When to Tell

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

This half-day training will increase the awareness of the multifaceted issues clients face when contemplating HIV status disclosure to family, friends and service providers. Participants will develop the skills necessary to conduct timely ongoing assessments and discussion of HIV status disclosure as a component of effective service planning. This training is meant to enhance case manager skills and should not be viewed as a foundational training for new staff entering the field. By the end of this training, participants will be able to: describe the benefits of ongoing assessment and discussion around disclosure; outline a format to help clients with effective decision-making about HIV/AIDS status disclosure, listing the benefits and limitations; explain the value of supporting a client’s decision regarding disclosure; and discuss the steps involved in making the decision to disclose HIV/AIDS status to family, friends and service providers.
Prerequisite: None.
Audience:Case Management Staff including: Case Managers and Case Management Technicians in both COBRA and grant-funded programs; Supervisors, Program Directors, and other interested Health and Human Service Providers.
Fall 2011 Dates: September 28, 2011 (1pm-4pm)

Register here.

Video from Our World AIDS Day Benefit Concert!

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

ARCS held its first World AIDS Day benefit concert on Saturday, November 29, 2009 at the Ritz Theater in Newburgh, NY, featuring performances by Jeffrey Wilgus, Stewart Lewis, Terry Christopher, and Hillary Johnson. Each of the artists gave amazing, heartfelt performances of their original works and a few covers, all to benefit ARCS’ programs. The event was organized and managed by Markus Payne Management, with lights by Superior Sounds and John Martin. Wolfe DVD & Video donated $5 gift cards to all attendees.

Check out Terry Christopher and Morry Campbell performing “Wade in the Water” on Terry’s YouTube channel!

Terry Christopher’s YouTube Channel

Thanks again to everyone who made this event possible!

Universal Language: A World AIDS Day Benefit Concert

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

World AIDS Day Benefit Concert

Universal Access &  Human Rights is this year’s theme for World AIDS Day, observed on Dec. 1, 2009. Join us for “Universal Language,” a special intimate concert to benefit AIDS-Related Community Services and its programs for those affected by HIV/AIDS in the Hudson Valley.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2009
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Ritz Theater Lobby
111 Broadway
Newburgh, NY

featuring:
Stewart Lewis
Jeffrey Wilgus
Terry Christopher

and Hillary Johnson

To purchase tickets, please use the PayPal button below:

“Red Ribbon” (general admission) tickets: $25.00

“Gold Ribbon” VIP Tickets: $40.00
Limited availability, includes an exclusive “Meet the Artists” session, autographed CD package and 2 free drinks. An $80.00 value!


Ticket Type




You can purchase your tickets using a credit or debit card through PayPal even if you don’t have a PayPal account. If you’d like to purchase a ticket by check or cash, please call Jana at (914) 785-8283.

Sound & Lights by John Martin at Superior Sounds

Special thanks to:
Lynda Parisi at River City Films
Bettie Owen from Wolfe Video & DVD

Produced by Markus Payne Management

Click here for directions to the Ritz Theater in Newburgh.