This 90‐minute information session is designed to present basic HIV/AIDS information. Topics covered
will include basic definitions, transmission, STDs, risk reduction and Counseling, testing and referral. The
primary intended audience for this intervention is individuals engaging in high risk behaviors. Additional
time (up to 30 minutes) is allotted for questions and answers.

This 2‐hour skills building workshop is designed to develop participant safer sex and safer needle use
negotiation skills. The primary audience for this intervention is residents of substance abuse treatment
centers and the Genesee County Jail, the majority of whom will have already attended an HIV/AIDS
Informational Session.

SISTA is a peer‐led, skill‐building intervention project to prevent HIV infection in African American
women. It is delivered in 5 sessions at the Genesee County Jail and includes discussions of self‐esteem,
relationships, and sexual health. The goal of SISTA is to reduce sexual risk behavior by heterosexuallyactive
African American women at high risk for HIV.
How It Works
SISTA gives women the social and behavioral skills they need to adopt HIV risk‐reduction strategies. It is
composed of 5 sessions that are 2 hours each. Each session is gender and culturally relevant and
includes behavioral skills practice, group discussions, lectures, role‐playing, a prevention video, and
take‐home exercises.

Are you afraid or embarrassed to ask some of those sensitive questions? Online outreach might be just
the thing for you. We are online on AIM at safersex101, on Yahoo Answers, on MySpace at
www.myspace.com/wellnessaids and also on Facebook! Send your questions and we will get back with
you.

Knowing your status is an important part of controlling the spread HIV. Wellness offers free, painless,
anonymous and confidential testing both in our office as well as many community venues. During
testing we will ask questions to help identify your risk for HIV. The counselor will work with you to lower
those risks and reduce the chances of contracting HIV. Results are generally back in 7‐10 business days.
You must return to your testing location to receive the results.

The Wellness Hepatitis C Project was created through a grant from Roche Laboratories. Wellness
Services provides testing for individuals who have been identified as high risk for contraction of the
Hepatitis C Virus. Wellness Services offers Hepatitis C testing on site as well as through collaborations
with various community resources such as the Genesee County Jail, Recovery Unlimited, and Woodward
Counseling. The testing is part of an interactive system that includes education, risk assessment
(including a risk and harm reduction plan as part of the initial screening), testing, counseling and
referrals. Wellness Services utilizes the Home Access Hepatitis C Testing Kit.

Testing is confidential and free to those individuals that meet the income criteria. Test results are
received in the Wellness office in approximately 7‐14 business days. Individuals may receive test results
over the phone. However, a face to face meeting to receive test results is preferred. Face to face visits
are done in an effort to review and updated the risk and harm reduction plan, as well as to identify any
need for referral to additional community resources.

Wellness Services offers limited Case Management Services which includes monitoring and referrals
services to the appropriate physicians who will provide the client with individualized treatment options.
In addition to the monitoring and physician / treatment referrals, Wellness Services offers assistance
through the Patient Assistant Programs in obtaining treatment of individuals who have received a
positive Hepatitis C Diagnosis if the treatment is recommended by a physician.
Remember, in the end, the only person that can keep you safe from HIV and STDs is YOU!

Syringe Treatment Exchange Program (STEP)

Wellness AIDS Services has opened its doors to Flint's ‘finest’ Syringe Treatment Exchange Program (STEP). The program was a success with volunteers being orientated about blood borne pathogens, needle use, wound care, and universal precautions. “We are excited.” says Don Slaughter the Program Coordinator, “the once a week needle exchange program is barrier free, non-judgmental and designed to help clients reduce the harm of using and sharing injecting drug paraphernalia”. STEP takes place every Wednesday from 6pm until 7pm.