The Access Support Network (ASN) is a community based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to our neighbors and loved ones living with HIV or Hep C. We strive to improve the independence of our clients through individualized services. Working toward a healthy community, ASN also offers prevention education opportunities for schools, church groups, service clubs and businesses. For us, ensuring that everyone understands that this is a preventable disease is paramount.
Program Information The agency, founded in 1985, provides advocacy and support of people living with HIV and AIDS. ASN proivdes many services to the community including free HIV and Hep C testing, benefits counseling, housing assistance, transportation, food pantry and in-home volunteer services.
Community outreach, health education, Syringe Exchange, surveys, data management; Assisting in the delivery of Harm Reduction Services to minimize the negative effectives of substance use and overdose prevention activities. Access Support provides many activities that seek to minimize the prevalence of HIV and HCV in our communities.
Assistance with Syringe Services Program, Clinical Quality Measurements (health outcomes), PrEP (HIV prevention) outreach.
Syringe exchange; Narcan training/overdose prevention; outreach and education for HIV, Hep C, addiction treatment; data entry or analysis; presentation design/graphics; fundraising/events/seeking donations; syringe supply inventory; community presentations; food pantry service
Syringe Exchange Program (SEP): The Monterey County Syringe Exchange Program (MC-SEP) is a harm reduction activity targeting intravenous-drug users (IDUs) to reduce the spread of blood-borne infectious diseases due to sharing of needles, rigs, and/or supplies. Reducing transmission between IDUs not only lowers their risk for illness, but it lowers the risk of their intimate partners, and the case of female users, it lowers the risk to their unborn children. The project’s purpose is twofold. First, to provide clean syringes and other paraphernalia to IDUs in Monterey County. Secondarily, the project serves as a pathway to provide other services, including education, disease screening and testing, and referrals for testing, medical care, drug treatment, and other services. The CHHS Intern’s role will be to:
• Assist with the operations of SEP every Monday and Friday from 2-4pm
• Assist with the expansion of SEP to other areas of Monterey County
• Assist with data collection and development of SEP reports submitted quarterly to the county
Other Tasks
• Become familiar with Chinatown’s history and stay current with its various development projects, evaluating how it might impact SEP services and clients
• Investigate and implement practices rooted in a harm reductionist framework throughout ASN programs
SEEKING CANDIDATES WHO ARE:
• Available for SEP (Monday and Friday, 2-4pm and Wednesday 10:30am-12:30pm
• Dedicated to working with vulnerable populations
• Flexible, able to work independently, and highly self-directed
CHHS Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) that the student will be exposed to:
- Collaboration
- Conflic Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Public Policy Analysis
- Statistics and Research Methods
Trainings offered or required: Harm reduction, mental health first aid, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Addiction, Motivational Interviewing