AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is a community-based non-profit organization founded in 1983 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
Its mission is stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected. Through a cooperative effort between over 70 staff and hundreds of volunteers, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
seeks to assist and constructively work with people of all cultures by providing services, education, advocacy and prevention...(and) provides free, confidential services to 2,500 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.[1]
AIDS Action accomplishes that mission by providing support services for people living with AIDS and HIV, educating the public and health professionals about how to prevent HIV transmission, and advocating for fair and effective AIDS policy on all levels of government.
[edit] Hotline
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts HIV and Hepatitis Hotlines
The AIDS Action Committee houses two state-wide Hotlines. The first is the HIV/AIDS Hotline, and the second is the Hepatitis Hotline. Both Hotlines are open Monday-Thursday, 9:00am - 9:00pm, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:30p.m. Highly trained Hotline volunteers compassionately respond to callers with regard to a myriad of issues. Hotline volunteers can be reached by phone or by email.
HIV Hotline Calls:
Hotline counselors speak to callers who have questions about or who are struggling with issues of safer sex, transmission, testing, drug use, taking medications, or caring for someone with HIV, as well as a host of other HIV or AIDS related concerns.
Hepatitis Hotline Calls:
Hotline counselors speak to callers who have many questions or concerns about viral hepatitis transmission and prevention, disease progression, health care, treatment options, alternative therapies, drug and alcohol use, and a host of other hepatitis related concerns.
Email:
Hotline counselors respond to email questions and requests for informtion concerning HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, STDs, safer sex, tranmission, testing, drug use, medication information, caring for someone with HIV, or any number of issues related to HIV/AIDS. All Email inquires are confidential. Send Email to: Hotline@aac.org
Referrals:
Hotline volunteers are familiar with, and have quick access to, thousands of up-to-date local and national resources and make appropriate referrals as needed. Many HIV Hotline calls include referrals to HIV testing sites, AIDS service and human service agencies, information or treatment hotlines, legal, financial, addiction, domestic violence, STD, physical or mental health care, and GLBT services. Hepatitis calls often include referrals to health care, support groups, addiction services, or other sources of information. Hotline Counselors often make internal referrals as well. Hotline counselors can help HIV+ callers become connected with Client Services Department programs such as case management; and legal, financial, housing, or transportation assistance. They can also help connect HIV+ or at-risk callers to Prevention and Education Department programs such as Peer Action, a one-on-one risk reduction counseling program.
To Reach the Hotlines:
HIV Toll-Free Phone: 800-235-2331 HIV Local Phone: 617-536-7733 HIV TTY: 617-437-1672 Online: www.aac.org/hotline [1]
Hepatitis Toll-Free Phone: 888-443-4372 Hepatitis TTY: 617-437-1672 Online: www.aac.org/hotline [2]
