APRI Launches At-Home HIV Testing Program Rhode Islanders can now get free tests by mail to learn their HIV status in the privacy of their homes
T
his past March, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was talking with my HIV testing and prevention team and at some point said, “Oh, we’ll likely just work from home for the next two to three weeks.”
and texts with clients, and we were happy to be able to provide a service that they clearly wanted. As we wonder what the next few months will look like as the pandemic continues, we’re working to expand our at-home testing program to more parts of the state, and make sure folks who may not
To order free condoms and other safer sex supplies from the RI Dept. of Health, please visit https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ std/ and look for the link on the left-hand side to order.
APRI is dedicated to providing a It’s September as I write this, and we’re compassionate, nonjudgmental, and still mostly working from home. We’re collaborative response to the needs of also not quite ready to resume people living with, affected by, and When we quietly unveiled the program at risk for acquiring HIV. APRI, a in-person HIV and hepatitis C testing, though limited testing by in late spring, the response confirmed division of Family Service of Rhode appointment is coming in October. that many people were waiting for and Island, currently provides the largest number of support services in the appreciated this option. We learned quickly during March state for individuals living with HIV/ and April that, even at the height yet feel comfortable going to a medical AIDS, as well as comprehensive prevention of a new pandemic, many people were provider setting, or who may have never and testing services. For more information, still having sex with partners they did been tested before, know they have this please visit aidsprojectri.org. not know well, they still needed access option. We can help guide them through to safer-sex supplies, and many were the process. worried about their HIV status. There are many ways we can keep In coordination with the Rhode Island ourselves healthy right now, even during Department of Health, we soon pivoted uncertain times. Wash those hands. Wear to purchase at-home HIV testing kits and your masks. Get your flu shot. And if worked toward mailing them out free to you’re sexually active, make sure you get any Rhode Island resident who was at risk. tested! When we quietly unveiled the program by Mikel Wadewitz, Director, in late spring, the response confirmed To request a free, at-home HIV testing AIDS Project Rhode Island that many people were waiting for and kit, please visit www.aidsprojectri.org/ appreciated this option. Our team quickly athome. (We will include condoms with adapted to a world of phone calls, emails, mailed tests.)
14 options
Oct/Nov 2020
