Why it matters: If you know your HIV status, you can act accordingly. If you’re negative, take steps to stay negative such as safer sex, harm reduction, going on PrEP, and talking about safety with partners. If you’re positive, engage with and stay in medical care to stay healthy and lower your HIV viral load. If you’re undetectable, you can’t spread HIV. undetectable = untransmittable! #UequalsU
It all starts with knowing your HIV status. If you don’t know and it’s been more than 6 months, it’s time to get tested.
We’ll be offering FREE HIV oral swab testing at Walgreen’s in Poughkeepsie and Yonkers on Tuesday, June 27th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
HVCS has offered free HIV, STD (STI), and hepatitis C testing for decades. To set up your free tests, all you have to do is contact us!
We offer testing at our offices, at various health fairs and public events across the Hudson Valley, or, if necessary, your home. If that’s not an option, we will meet you in a safe, confidential (mutually agreed upon) space.
Start by providing a few details on our new online request form so we know how best to serve you. Find the form here.
Tags: AIDS, Awareness, HIV, HIV Testing, testing Posted in News | Comments Off on Discretely Request Free HIV, STD and Hep C Testing With Our New Online Form
Our Project Reach Out street outreach program has a brand-new van! Despite a rain storm, staff gathered in the parking lot at our Hawthorne office to christen the new vehicle, which was specially outfitted just for us. The van was partially funded by the NYSDOH AIDS Institute and administrative reserves. Hudson Valley Credit Union provided additional funding to make this a reality for us and our clients in Westchester’s urban areas. PRO provides HIV and STD testing, referrals to critical health and support services, and was recently approved as a syringe access program. We look forward to serving more clients than ever before.
This week, HVCS unveiled its new policy regarding HIV testing: we will mail an oral swab HIV test kit to your home! Watch the details as our Senior Program Manager, Naomi Kabalkin, explains things to Spectrum News reporter Dominic McKensie:
In this episode of our new podcast, we discuss what PrEP & PEP are and how they both work. Plus learn about the rise of Hep A here in the Hudson Valley and how to protect yourself against a range of harmful sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
You can also listen to more episodes on Spotify,iTunes and other podcast platforms–subscribe today!
HVCS is collaborating with Walgreens in Poughkeepsie, located at 827 Dutchess Turnpike, for National HIV Testing Day (June 27th). Our team will be on site from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm for free confidential HIV testing, information on PrEP, as well as HIV prevention, care and treatment. We are partnering with Greater Than AIDS for this community event.
Got questions about the latest ways to reduce your risk for HIV, STDs and hepatitis C? So do lots of our followers. Members of our Education & Prevention Department went live on Facebook to answer them. In this video, we covered PrEP, PEP, how risky certain sexual behaviors are (or not), and how to reach our programs for more services!
Need free testing services? Contact us at (845) 704-7624 — you can call OR text! ? You can also email us to set up an appointment.
Hudson Valley Community Services has responded to the sharp increase in STD infection rates in our area by creating a new staff position dedicated to STD testing. For the first time in our history, we will be able to provide free sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing to anyone who needs it.
Previously we were funded only to provide STD testing to those at high risk or those were had a possible exposure.
“We want to empower everyone to take control of their sexual health,” said HVCS’ Education and Prevention Director, Jennifer Brathwaite. “Our new STD tester allows us to serve more people and connect them to the healthcare and social resources they need.”
We offer urine tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and a blood draw for syphilis, with results in two to seven days. For hepatitis C (and HIV), we perform a finger stick with results available within 20 minutes.
Two common reasons given for the recent rise in STD rates are the widespread use of dating apps, and the advent of PrEP (daily treatment to prevent HIV). Those on PrEP may decide not to use condoms as frequently. Condoms prevent some STDs but not all.
To find out more or to get tested, call Stephanie at (914) 785-8261.
HVCS is launching a new infectious disease prevention program this December specifically for women of color. Our new Women’s Services Program will help prevent new HIV, STD, and hepatitis C infections among minority women in Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties. The program aligns with New York State’s “End the Epidemic” plan to increase the number of women who know their HIV/STD/HCV status and increase the number of women linked to medical care.
The Women’s Services Program will use a trauma-informed approach to outreach and prevention, since many women at high risk for these infections live with traumatic pasts or present-day circumstances, including abuse, homelessness, poverty, and immigrant status.
Our initial contract will run for five years, and we aim to serve at least 300 women each year. We look forward to sharing more news about this exciting and important new program in the future.
As part of the Governor’s plan to end the AIDS epidemic in New York State, the Department of Health’s AIDS Institute is pleased to announce a free statewide HIV Home Test Giveaway. This is an innovative strategy to address a gap in HIV testing among gay men, men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender or gender non-conforming people who have sex with men. The AI, in collaboration with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and OraSure, the manufacturer of OraQuick® in-home HIV test, are making home HIV test kits available to eligible recipients now through July 7, 2017.
To be eligible to receive a free home test kit, participants must meet the following criteria: identify as a gay man; MSM; transgender or gender non-conforming person who has sex with men; be at least 18 years of age; reside in NYS (excluding NYC); and have never been diagnosed with HIV. If the participant is determined to be eligible, they will be asked to provide their email address where they will receive a discount code and instructions for redeeming a free HIV home test kit via OraSure’s website. Upon completion of the follow-up survey, participants will have the option to
receive a $20 electronic Amazon gift card. If the participant is determined to be ineligible, they will be referred to the AI website where there will be additional resources and information related to HIV testing.
Please visit http://on.nyc.gov/2po3uwV to see if you’re eligible for a free home HIV test kit.
It’s National HIV Testing Day! 
