MAP Client Services

Minority AIDS Project’s approach to Care and Prevention is based on a unique Model of Early Intervention through the use of a Comprehensive and Culturally Relevant Continuum of Care that offers a broad range of services in response to the social, economic and medical challenges facing our community.

At least 90% of MAP’s clients have marginal economic situations with existing problems of unemployment, homelessness, and social isolation intensified by an HIV positive or AIDS diagnosis. Generally clients have multiple needs and require help negotiating the large, bureaucratic government systems on which they must rely for benefits and medical care.

Case Management of clients is accomplished through our unique continuum of care which offers clients a complete, comprehensive intake interview and assessment to develop an individual service plan. After intake, overall care and services are coordinated by a Case Manager to ensure full and appropriate assistance. Clients are also helped in obtaining health care benefits.

Quality of life support is offered through the utilization of Section 8 Housing Vouchers, Food, Clothing, and admissions to drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities.

Clients, who are homebound, require comprehensive medical case management. Non-medical personal care by Certified Care Workers and/or homemaker service is provided. A financial status evaluation as well as a warm and supportive physical, psychological, and social environment is established. Services are provided by or under the supervision of our Registered Nurses.

Transitional Case Management
Services are provided for people living with HIV/AIDS who are incarcerated and/or about to be released from the Los Angeles County Jail system. Case Managers assess the client’s physical, psychosocial, environmental and financial needs and facilitate the client’s access to appropriate sources of health care, financial assistance, mental health care, and other supportive services. Follow-up services, referrals and interventions are continued on behalf of the client, and three six, and
nine-month follow-ups will ascertain whether services are accessed and meet the
client’s needs.

Mental Health
Our Mental Health team includes California licensed and license-eligible Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Social Workers who provide psychosocial assessments, crisis interventions and psychotherapy in all modalities (individual, couple/family, children and group) to clients and their families. MAP's Mental Health Professionals also facilitate psycho-educational HIV/AIDS support groups both in English and Spanish and offer a nutritional lunch for people attending the group. Our psychological/counseling services are offer in both English and Spanish languages by bi-cultural/bilingual clinicians.

Rent, Utilities, Food, Transportation Assistance
Many individuals living with HIV/AIDS are on the margins of economic survival. Underemployment, unemployment, poverty, limited access to health care, homelessness, chemical dependency, and a myriad of other challenges plague them. These vulnerabilities create serious quality of life challenges. In addition, approximately 10% of those seeking services are undocumented and do not qualify for public assistance programs.

MAP provides clients with rental housing assistance and move-in costs from funds provided by public funding. Client’s who cannot qualify; because they are not city residents receive emergency assistance and/or utility payments via donations of unrestricted dollars. Clients may access the Food Pantry to supplement their inadequate food supply. For clients who need assistance with transportation, taxi coupons, bus passes and tokens are available.

HIV Testing Services
On-site and Mobile Van HIV Testing is available to provide HIV Counseling, Testing and Immune Assessment Services. HIV Testing Services are also administered to clients in drug treatment programs.

The goal of the Mobile Testing Unit is to encourage testing that enables individuals to learn about their status early in the progression of the disease and to help newly diagnosed individuals to understand and modify behaviors that may compromise their health. MAP encourages secondary prevention through self-disclosure to sexual and/or needle sharing partners. Appropriate referrals, primarily to risk reduction programs offered by MAP, are also provided for those who test HIV Negative.