2 VISION 2 O Expanding care for our community
YOUR INVESTMENT IN DESERT AIDS PROJEC T
A
V I S ION FOR OUR COMMUNITY
DESERT AIDS PROJECT
1985
1984
A RICH HISTORY OF YOUR COMMUNITY IDENTIFYING AND COURAGEOUSLY RESPONDING TO THE UNMET HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF COACHELLA VALLEY Upon FDA approval of the first test to detect HIV antibodies in blood, Desert AIDS Project responded immediately by initiating its own HIV/AIDS testing program in the Coachella Valley.
At a time when public agencies and the healthcare system were slow to respond to the HIV epidemic in Coachella Valley, a community of grass-roots volunteers founded Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.).
2014
HIV infection remains disturbingly high in the Coachella Valley, more than double the national rate of infection. In response, Desert AIDS Project launched Get Tested Coachella Valley as the nation’s first non-profit led, region-wide HIV testing, prevention, education, and linkage to care initiative. Over 81,000 Coachella Valley residents were tested for HIV, and the testing work continues today.
2007
When there was a lack of affordable housing for many in our community living with HIV and other chronic conditions, philanthropist Philip Caplin responded by helping to fund Vista Sunrise Apartments on the Desert AIDS Project campus.
When it was discovered that a lack of access to sexual wellness information contributes to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases in the Coachella Valley, our community of volunteers and donors helped launch THE DOCK, a walk-in, no-appointment-necessary clinic that provides HIV and STI testing, linkage to care and access to HIV preventative medication PrEP and post-exposure PEP.
2015
2001
As patients affected by HIV were suffering from nutritional challenges as a result of their inability to maintain steady employment, the Morris & Lila Linsky family responded by building a Food Depot on the Desert AIDS Project campus to provide healthy food distribution, grocery vouchers, and dietary guidance to over 300 clients per month.
2016
When a serious and growing need for Hepatitis care emerged in the Coachella Valley, especially with regard to co-infection rates among persons living with HIV, our community of volunteers and donors helped support the D.A.P. Hepatitis Center of Excellence to deliver comprehensive, state-of-the-art expertise to manage, support and cure those afflicted with Hepatitis C.
1998
When it was discovered during the course of HIV testing that certain types of cancer disproportionately affected persons living with HIV, philanthropist Annette Bloch stepped forward to fund a cancer care center dedicated to specialized HIV-related cancer research, screenings, treatment and prevention, ensuring that patients would receive timely and effective care.
2012
2008
When patients affected by HIV could not find culturally competent dentists who would care for them, philanthropists Georgia & Gerald Fogelson responded by building the first adult, HIV-specialty dental clinic in Riverside County on the Desert AIDS Project campus.
When our primary facility in Palm Springs was no longer able to accommodate an increasing patient load, local philanthropists responded with the purchase of our current 44,000 square-foot campus in Palm Springs to meet the increasing demand for services and a larger medical clinic.
More than 50% of Coachella Valley residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($24K/year). With the support of YOU, our community of volunteers and donors, this bold VISION 2020 campaign will allow Desert AIDS Project to expand our campus, programs, and services to meet the rapidly increasing affordable and quality health care needs of 10,000 potential clients; more than doubling our current scope of service to communities in need.
2020
1994
When HIV care was not available in the eastern Coachella Valley where language and socio-economic challenges persist, Desert AIDS Project responded by opening a satellite office in Indio to provide HIV and Hep C screening as well as early intervention and case management services for underserved and primarily low-income, Hispanic/Latino communities.
HIV CARE
WHO WE ARE AND SHALL EVER REMAIN The heart of Desert AIDS Project has always been its commitment to the health and welfare of the clients they serve. Now for the first time since the beginning of this terrible crisis, the medications finally exist to end the AIDS epidemic. There are medications that achieve viral load suppression resulting in HIV positive patients becoming non-infectious and also medicines that can keep our HIV negative patients from getting infected. Our objective at Desert AIDS Project is to reach the goals of the National UNAIDS Programme strategy, right here at home in the Coachella Valley:
GOAL:
90%
OF ALL PEOPLE
living with HIV will know their HIV status with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression
NEW PAVILION — WEST ADDITION
HIV
Our campus has become woefully inadequate for our community’s current need. In 2017, Riverside County updated its projections of people living with HIV in our community to 5,522, nearly double the previous estimate. As we head into our vision for the future and work to address the health needs of the most vulnerable in our community, our infrastructure and capacity to provide care will become even more challenged.
HEALTHCARE
OPENING OUR DOORS WIDER At Desert AIDS Project, our goal and our specialty is helping people achieve overall health. And, thanks to our history, our team, our status as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and you, we have the ability to help more people who need it. Our FQHC status has led to a dramatic increase in patients in our care that has severely strained the existing facilities. D.A.P. has an unprecedented opportunity to purchase a building next door to the current campus. This purchase will add a critically needed 30,000 square feet of space which will enable us to double the number of clients we currently serve. There are currently underway exciting architectural designs for the new facility. The close proximity of the building to our existing campus will allow us to combine the two buildings into one efficient building by constructing a new reception area which will tie the two buildings together. We plan to start construction in 2018 with completion slated in 2020.
NEW HOUSING — EAST ELEVATION
HOUSING
IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES Homeless adults living with HIV— many further stressed with mental illness or substance abuse — are more challenging to retain in care. In addition, people experiencing homelessness have rates of infection as high as 16 times that of the general population. Currently, our housing complex has a three-year waiting list.
WITH YOUR HELP, DESERT AIDS PROJECT IS LEADING THE WAY TO EXPAND HOUSING ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF OUR CAMPUS, ALLOWING US TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL 60 OR MORE UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR OUR CLIENTS.
“Thanks to Desert AIDS Project, I am living powerfully with HIV - the life of my dreams in fact. And as you can tell from my Revivals Stores wardrobe, I am doing so quite fashionably.” — NICHOLAS SNOW
INNOVATION
ANTICIPATING AND MEETING NEW NEEDS What we have learned over the years is that with healthcare, and particularly with HIV, nothing remains static. Desert AIDS Project has always stayed on top of current research and in front of emerging needs. With the increased funding and space that will be provided with this Capital Campaign, we will be ready to solve new challenges as they emerge and take advantage of new treatments as they become available.
Our Hepatitis Center of Excellence is diagnosing and curing hepatitis C with the latest and highly tolerable treatments available, in as little as six-to-twelve weeks. Additionally, the fear of a liver biopsy causes many clients to avoid treatment altogether. Desert AIDS Project is one of only a few local providers to invest in a FibroScanÂŽ liver diagnostic device, providing a painless way for us to assess liver health and aid in determining treatment.
WITH YOUR HELP D.A.P. WILL HAVE THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO RESPOND TO THESE AND OTHER NEW CHALLENGES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
Desert AIDS Project opened its Center of Excellence in Transgender Health based on a growing need in our community. The Center provides safe trans-competent care. With the opening of the Center, D.A.P. has provided a safe haven where transgender individuals can get the competent care they need without fear of discrimination. Desert AIDS Project’s Career Building Program has enabled over 200 people to get back into the workforce or into volunteer positions, many even being able to get off state disability. Valuable career counseling is provided to people who have not worked in 10 years or more.
BECAUSE OF THE CAREER BUILDING PROGRAM, KERRY DEAL (L) IS NOW THE CONTROLLER OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER WHO IS SHOWN HERE WITH VALERIO IOVINO, THE PROGRAM FOUNDER AND LEADER.
A PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOME The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a new innovation in patient care and one in which Desert AIDS Project sees the value in pursuing. Through this model, D.A.P. seeks to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care delivery while responding to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. PHYSICIAN-LED PRACTICE
Patients have access to a personal physician who leads the care team within a medical practice. WHOLE-PERSON ORIENTATION
The care team provides comprehensive care at all stages of life, including acute care, chronic care, preventive services, and end-of-life care. INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED CARE
D.A.P. takes steps to ensure that patients receive the care and services they need from the medical community in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. FOCUS ON QUALITY AND SAFETY
D.A.P. uses the quality improvement process and evidence-based medicine to continually improve patient outcomes. ACCESS
D.A.P. commits to enhancing patients’ access to care.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT Our current campus configuration cannot effectively support the implementation of the PCMH model without YOUR support. The following data speaks clearly to our urgent need to expand our current facilities.
2017 3,900 patients within 6,050 square feet of space
MEDICAL CLINICS 2020 8,000 patients within 15,050 square feet of space
2017 814 patients within 2,670 square feet of space
DENTAL CLINICS 2020 1,700 patients within 6,970 square feet of space
HOUSING
2017 80 studio and one-bedroom units 2020 141 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units 2017 583 patients within 2,150 square feet of space
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 2020 1,200 patients within 4,300 square feet of space TOTAL 2017 CAMPUS FOOTPRINT 2020
39,490 square feet 60,490 square feet
149% INCREASE
161% INCREASE
76%
INCREASE
100% INCREASE
53%
INCREASE
2 VI S ION AT A GLANCE 2 O EXISTING CAMPUS STRUCTURES l NEW CONSTRUCTION l NEW HOUSING l
DESERT AIDS PROJECT 2020 Data and specifications presented are subject to change.
“In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, our friends were hospitalized and nurses were afraid to deliver their meals to them in the hospital. I was proud to be one of the volunteers who delivered food to those dying of AIDS.”
“Friends were dying all around us and the government and medical establishment were not doing anything. I was proud to be one of the founders of Desert AIDS Project who provided care to the ill while at the same time advocating for patient’s rights. It is because of organizations like Desert AIDS Project that we have the medications that we have today.”
– Donald Beck
– Art Hall
YOUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION SPEAKING FROM THE HEART
“ When I was given a tour of their facility, I could not believe that such an amazing facility existed in Palm Springs. I was so impressed by the compassionate, caring and dedicated staff and the excellent patient care. I am proud that I have been an ardent supporter of Desert AIDS Project ever since.”
– Annette Bloch
“As a physician, I am constantly impressed by the amazing comprehensive care and services provided by Desert AIDS Project. Their designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center will allow them to expand their services and provide complete, wrap-around services for underserved communities across the Coachella Valley.”
– Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz
“It was stunning to us that dentists in the early days of the epidemic refused to treat those that were HIV positive or who had AIDS. When we found out that the dental clinic at D.A.P. had 2,500 on the waiting list, it was our pleasure to build a new dental facility to help treat those patients.”
– Georgia & Gerry Fogelson
“What started out as a dinner with 15 friends has turned out to be a very large food drive that literally fills up the pantry/food depot at Desert AIDS Project. I am so grateful to all of the people who show up with their many bags of non-perishable grocery items with a giving and loving spirit.”
– Kandy Lee
“Desert AIDS Project is about Care/Prevention/ Advocacy and I am proud to be charged with advocating for our patients rights at the Federal, State and local level to make sure that everyone gets the level of care they deserve.” – Carl Baker
“My brother Mark and I proudly established the Morris and Lila Linsky Annex Food Depot at D.A.P. to honor our parents who taught us to give back to your community either financially or with your time. The food depot distributes fresh produce, canned goods and other food items to clients of Desert AIDS Project.
– Andy Linsky
“ We are so proud to be donating one of the lead
gifts to Desert AIDS Project Capital Campaign. This campaign will allow D.A.P. to more than double the over 4,000 clients that they currently provide with compassionate and competent care. We urge everyone to help make this campaign a tremendous success.” – Kyle Mudd & Louis Smith
Desert AIDS Project has a wonderful history of community members identifying a need and funding the innovative solution. We like to say we’re #DoingMoreTogether. A lot has changed since 1984 when a group of grassroots activists got together in response to the emerging AIDS crisis that others were ignoring. The community action roadmap they developed is still used by Desert AIDS Project. as we respond to new needs and open our doors wider to invite new underserved communities into care.
PLEASE JOIN US
TODAY
AS WE SET THE COURSE FOR
TOMORROW.
Please contact CHRISTOPHER RUETZ at 760.656.8450 or cruetz@desertaidsproject.org
CARE FOR EVERYONE DESERT AIDS PROJECT 1695 NORTH SUNRISE WAY PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262 760.656.8450 DESERTAIDSPROJECT.ORG