MCAVHN is a 501c3 non-profit organization (Tax ID No. 68-015927)
Providing services and comfort to persons and families affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C,
and the co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance abuse
MCAVHN Programs
HIV Care Services
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Care Coordination Services for HIV positive individuals and their families living in
Mendocino County. This includes coordination of care with community service
providers for both medical and psychosocial services.
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Practical assistance with food, transportation, housing access; benefits advocacy;
and referral to medical and addiction treatment providers.
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Harm reduction counseling, social groups, and supportive counselling.
Specialty Mental Health Services and Intensive Outpatient
Case Management (IOPCM)
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Identify, intake and assess individuals with moderate to severe mental health
or co-occurring disorders and/or chronic health issues who have high
utilization of emergency departments medical services and/or jail services,
and who have experienced serious barriers to obtaining and engaging with
available community resources.
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Refer, link, and monitor services for primary medical and behavioral health
care; delivering case management, rehab and therapy services for those with
severe behavioral health issues.
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Assess substance use and current level of engagement for recovery services
(12-step based treatment, harm reduction, supportive counseling, etc).
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Identify housing resources, make applications on behalf of clients, and
monitor housing stability and capability.
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Work with jail staff, Probation Department staff, the Public Defenders and
District Attorney's offices to ensure that alternatives to incarceration are
offered and considered on a case by case basis.
HCV Care and Advocacy Services
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Care Coordination services for individuals with active Hepatitis C in need of a
medical provider and monitoring for disease progression. Both practical
assistance and care coordination, which includes medical referral and monitoring,
benefits advocacy, housing, transportation and food, as well as support groups
and counseling for those who are interested in or are currently in treatment for
their HCV disease.
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Advocacy trainings for clients including the basics of hepatitis C issues, liver
health, life skills, and learning to manage side-effects of treatment.
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Facilitation of trainings for medical providers regarding monitoring and treating
hepatitis C.
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Support groups for any community member (or family members) dealing with a
diagnosis of HCV.
Syringe Exchange
With a harm reduction philosophy, the MCAVHN syringe exchange program seeks
to reduce the spread of HIV/HCV among persons who share drug equipment
(works, cookers, syringes, cotton, etc), and reduce overdose deaths.
Syringes can be exchanged through a variety of trained volunteers throughout the
county. Syringes are also available at the Ukiah office at 148 Clara Ave.
MCAVHN also provides training on overdose and overdose prevention among
injection drug users. The training focuses on the skills of persons who inject drugs
and how to reduce overdoses and overdose deaths. The program also supplies
Narcan (naloxone), a proven antidote for heroin and other opiate drugs derived
from or resembling opium. Used in the US since 1965, Narcan, unlike some
antidotes, has no effects on its own. It only reverses the effects of opiates for
about an hour. This means injecting Narcan into a vein or muscle can take away
the opiate part of the overdose within minutes and restore the person's breathing
and consciousness.
To learn more about this program contact MCAVHN at (707) 462-1932 or email
mcavhn@yahoo.com.
For messages concerning delivery options, please call (707) 621-1072.
TO MAKE A DONATION IN SUPPORT OF THESE PROGRAMS CLICK HERE.
Coordinated Entry Services
MCAVHN’s Newest Program is meant to help individuals access housing. MCAVHN
was awarded a grant to be an accessible doorway to housing for homeless and
unstably-housed persons. This is part of a federal program: Opening Doors:
Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. MCAVHN is just part of
the larger effort to positively impact homelessness in our local communities.
One of the tools we use is called a VI-SPDAT; an instrument that helps assess the
individual needs of persons who are struggling within our communities. Mendocino
County has the highest per-capita homelessness rate in our country, and it is of the
utmost importance that we face this head-on.
The coordinated entry process has the following qualities:
Prioritization. HUD has determined that an effective coordinated entry process
ensures that people with the greatest needs receive priority for any type of housing
and homeless assistance available in the CoC (Continuum of Care), including PSH
(Permanent Supportive Housing), Rapid Rehousing (RRH), and other interventions.
Low Barrier. The coordinated entry process does not screen people out for
assistance because of perceived barriers to housing or services, including, but not
limited to, lack of employment or income, drug or alcohol use, or having a criminal
record. In addition, housing and homelessness programs lower their screening
barriers in partnership with the coordinated entry process.
Housing First orientation. The coordinated entry process is Housing First oriented,
such that people are housed quickly without preconditions or service participation
requirements.
Person-Centered. The coordinated entry process incorporates participant choice,
which may be facilitated by questions in the assessment tool or through other
methods. Choice can include location and type of housing, level of services, and
other options about which households can participate in decisions.
Fair and Equal Access. All people in the CoC’s geographic area have fair and equal
access to the coordinated entry process, regardless of where or how they present
for services. Fair and equal access means that people can easily access the
coordinated entry process, whether in person, by phone, or some other method,
and that the process for accessing help is well known.