Case Management

HIV/AIDS Case management provides support and referral services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, regardless of income. Clients are assisted with referrals to health care specialists, and help finding medical insurance and housing, as well as other supportive services. For information, call (509) 422-7153.

HIV Testing and Counseling

A core public health function, HIV testing is offered by HIV/AIDS program professionals at:
 

• Okanogan County Public Health office – 1234 South 2nd Avenue – confidential and anonymous HIV counseling, and testing is offered to the general public.  “Confidential” HIV/AIDS counseling during testing requires that all personal and medical information be kept strictly confidential.  With “Anonymous Counseling” during testing the client is never required to submit any identifying information including name.  Call (509)422-7153

• Okanogan County Public Health offers a variety of testing methods. 
• Rapid Oraquick Advanced testing is an initial screening for HIV Antibodies, with results available in 20 minutes.  This test can be conducted with either oral fluid or blood samples.  If a rapid test is “reactive”, a confirmatory blood test will be conducted. 
• Orasure (oral sample testing) and venipunture (blood sample) tests result are available within 1 – 2 weeks.

Counseling is always provided prior to an HIV test and after the test results are provided. Clients are educated about ways to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. If the test results are positive, client is referred to Public Health case management and partner notification services, and appropriately counseled on HIV transmission and prevention.

HIV and Hepatitis C tests are also offered in outreach settings, Okanogan County Juvenile, Okanogan County Jail, and Okanogan County Behavioral Health Care’s Intensive Outpatient Programs.  These services are provided free to high-risk, low-income individuals.

Hepatitis C Testing and Counseling

Hepatitis C testing is offered free to high-risk individuals, using “Home Access” test kits supplied by the Washington State Department of Health Infectious Disease and Reproductive Health Hepatitis C Program.  This is a blood test requiring a simple finger-stick, and both initial and confirmatory screenings are conducted by the laboratory.  Results for this test return within 2 – 3 weeks.  During testing a client risk assessment is conducted and referrals are made to medical and supportive services.  A positive Hep C test means a person is likely to have chronic Hepatitis C infection, but some people will test positive, while not actually being infected.  Their immune system has naturally eliminated the virus from their body.  Those testing positive will be referred to a physician for further testing.

Education
Okanogan County Public Health offers HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Disease Education in a variety of venues.

• Certified two, four and seven hour HIV/AIDS, Bloodborne Pathogen, Sexually Transmitted Disease classes for professionals are offered at various times during the year, depending upon the public need.  The classes satisfy Washington State Department of Health requirements.  There is a $30.00 Public Health fee for professional certificates.
• Non-certified bloodborne pathogen education is conducted free for many public groups, schools and agencies through a technical assistance contract with the Regional AIDSNet Coordinator.
• For education information and to request a speaker, call Brian Pyper at  (509) 422-7153

Outreach

The HIV/AIDS program works to prevent or reduce behaviors that transmit HIV through community outreach services to individuals at highest risk for contracting HIV – injection drug users, men having sex with men (MSM), and individuals engaging in unprotected sex with HIV+ persons. Call (509) 422-7153.

Outreach services include:
 

• Condom distribution – thousands of free condoms are distributed each year throughout Okanogan County

• Syringe Exchange Program -   a program for injection drug users to obtain clean syringes and injection equipment.  Harm reduction education is offered, as well as referrals to supportive services, if requested. 

It is estimated that approximately 75% - 80% of injection drug users in Washington State are infected with Hepatitis C.  HIV case managers report that approximately 20% of their HIV/AIDS clients are co-infected with Hep C.  Washington State is a national leader in supporting syringe exchange programs, one of the most effective interventions in preventing HIV, Hepatitis C and other bacterial and viral infections.  It has been proven that syringe exchange programs do not increase injection drug use or crime, and are one of the first places users obtain disease prevention education, and referrals to supportive services and drug treatment. 
Free Hepatitis C and HIV testing is offered to program participants.  Participants are allowed to participate in the program without giving identifying information.  Participants are treated non-judgmentally, with respect and confidentiality.  Law enforcement is not involved.

Additional Resources:

1234 S. 2nd Ave.
P.O. Box 231
Okanogan, WA 98840
(509) 422-7140

Web Master: Marta Reed, Email

04/21/11