Posts Tagged ‘ARCS’

40th Anniversary of the First AIDS Cases

Tuesday, May 25th, 2021

This June 5th, the world will mark the 40th Anniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS identified in the U.S. The 40th Anniversary of HIV signifies a moment in history where we remember those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS and honor their memories. The 2021 tagline is: 40 Years of Progress – It’s time to End the HIV Epidemic. It is a time to pay tribute to the U.S. scientists, researchers, advocates, healthcare professionals, and public health workers who have contributed to our global effort to end the HIV epidemic. The commitments of international partners, federal agencies, advocates, and community organizations who work tirelessly on the frontlines in face of this global public health crisis are what push us forward. This milestone is an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to tackling HIV, demonstrating that despite the worldwide challenges due to COVID-19, we remain focused on ensuring resources and capacity to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and abroad.

Learn more and download tools to help raise awareness at:

www.hiv.gov/events/40-years-of-hiv

View our agency timeline for a look back at the beginnings of HVCS.

Silent Auction Preview: 30th Anniversary Party

Wednesday, September 7th, 2016

To whet your appetite for our 30th Anniversary Party’s silent auction, here’s a small sample of the wonderful items up for bid!

 

spa

Relaxing Spa Packages – including Amore Day Spa and Marlboro Spa

Tickets to a Yankees 2017 Game

 

provincetown

A Week in Provincetown, MA – Two Bedroom Centrally-Located Condo

Dinners at Fine Restaurants – including Crave and Henry’s at Buttermilk Falls

 

warwick-valley-winery

Wine Tastings & Tours

 

OldDrovers_night

A Weekend at the Old Drover’s Inn in Dover Plains

Brewery Tours & Craft Beers – including Yonkers Brewing Company & Captain Lawrence

 

white sweet 16 dresses

An Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Bronx Zoo

Artwork & Home Decor – including vintage Herb Ritts posters

…and plenty more! Get your tickets and join us on September 23rd to help support our food pantries, housing and HIV prevention programs.

HVCS’ Official 30th Anniversary

Thursday, March 3rd, 2016

Official 30th anniversary

2016 is HVCS’ 30th Anniversary!

Monday, January 4th, 2016

On March 3, 1986, the small volunteer organization that was the Mid-Hudson Valley AIDS Task Force filed for incorporation and recognition as a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization. That group eventually registered a “DBA” or “doing business as” and was known as AIDS-Related Community Services, or ARCS, until 2012. At the very end of that year, faced with proposed changes to Medicaid (which impacted our Medicaid-reimbursed COBRA case management program) and an expanding portfolio of services beyond HIV/AIDS, the agency changed its name to Hudson Valley Community Services or HVCS. Even though we have a relatively new name, our core mission and services remain the same. We believe it’s an amazing feat to have lasted this long, and we’ll be rolling out special initiatives and events throughout 2016. Watch for more details and more information as the year proceeds!

Meet Jill Clockadale, ARCS' Director of Client Services

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Jill_Clockadale_colorJill Clockadale has joined ARCS’ executive team as Director of Client Services.

Ms. Clockadale comes to ARCS from Greenwich House, a small HIV primary care agency. Her new role at ARCS is a continuation of a long career in the HIV/AIDS service sector.

She received a BA in Liberal Arts from Michigan State and went on to receive her MSW at the University of Michigan. For the first thirteen years of her career, she worked in the child welfare system in Michigan and New York.

Her work with HIV/AIDS clients began in 1987 when she volunteered for GMHC in Manhattan as a support group co-facilitator. She began her case management experience in Beth Israel Hospital’s methadone clinic. “In those days, people with HIV had eighteen months to live,” she said. “This was before there were any antiretroviral medications.”

Ms. Clockadale is proud to have worked in every borough of New York City. She commuted daily from Mohegan Lake, where she and her husband, William Ayvazian, have lived since 1997. She is a former board member of the Lower Manhattan AIDS Service Center, where she first heard about ARCS’ work in the Hudson Valley.

There are several differences to overseeing ARCS’ care management and client support services, she notes. “Transportation and housing are completely different in the Hudson Valley than the city. They are much larger hurdles for our clients, and there is a definite shortage of affordable housing for low-income residents here.”

Her goals as Director of Client Services are to increase staff retention and to manage change in a constantly changing field. She also plays an integral part in ARCS’ conversion to the new regional health home networks for Medicaid-eligible clients. “It’s a challenge, since we are coping with New York State’s brand-new regulations, but I believe that you always have to look forward.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

All ARCS offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2012 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

ARCS Closed in Observance of New Year's Day

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

All ARCS offices will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2012 in observance of New Year’s Day.

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

HIV Testing Skills Practice

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

† 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: assess when a client requires face-to-face pre-test counseling; conduct streamlined pre-test counseling; deliver preliminary positive and confirmed positive HIV test results; link newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients to health care and support services; work in partnership with 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 “HIV Testing in NYS: 2005 Guidance” or an equivalent training (ARCS prerequisite: “HIV Testing in NYS: 2010 Update” within the previous six months)
Audience: Any health or human service provider who offers HIV testing as part of their job responsibilities.
Fall 2011 Dates: November 16, 2011 (9am-5pm) Hawthorne