The Minnesota AIDS Project AIDSLine is this state’s information and referral service for both HIV prevention and services. The AIDSLine accomplishes this through a variety of programs and interventions. One of these is the “Quick Connect Program”.

The Quick Connect program offers short-term, face-to-face assistance for people living with HIV. This program serves an average of 200 individuals annually.  Clients meet with an AIDSLine staff member to learn more about HIV and local resources (insurance, HIV medical care, financial assistance, food resources, etc.).  Before the appointment, clients complete a phone screening. Staff uses the data from the screening to help tailor the information and referrals given to the client during the appointment. The majority of the clients seen in Quick Connect are referred to programs for long-term support such as HIV Case Management.

In the process of the appointment, staff will assess the client’s understanding of HIV and transmission risk and provide the client with more information as appropriate. If the client is sexually active we engage him or her in a non-judgmental discussion about their sexual practices and what they can do to reduce their risk of transmitting HIV to their partners or becoming re-infected with a different strain of the virus. Staff offers clients free condoms and lube to encourage safer sex practices. Our agency stocks a wide variety of condoms, including the female condom, and we work with the client to determine which product would be most appropriate for them.  

One challenge we have in this program is that the clients we meet with often have multiple needs, many not related to HIV, and often are in some state of crisis. Clients who are unable to meet their basic needs, e.g. housing and food,  or have just learned about their status are often unable or unwilling to discuss sexual practices in detail. When this is the case we still provide the client with material to read about transmission after the appointment if they are willing to take this. We also make sure the client understands that they can contact the AIDSLine through the phone or on-line chat service in the future if they need to learn more about safer sex practices. We have found that simply opening the door to these discussions encourages the client to continue them at a later time when they are ready and able to focus on sexual health issues. When appropriate, we will refer the client to local health education and risk reduction programs for more in-depth education regarding HIV transmission.

Similarly, if we meet with a client who is an injection drug user, we discuss harm reduction options to lessen their risk of transmitting HIV to drug partners. If they are actively using, we inform them of needle exchange programs and other area supports to ensure that they have access to clean needles.

Having frank and open sexual discussions with clients, especially those newly diagnosed, can be difficult. AIDSLine staff receives extensive training on these skills. This training includes cultural pieces to assist our staff in connecting with the diverse clientele we meet with. We have found more challenges in engaging some of the refugee populations we work with in safer sex discussions and continue to brainstorm internally and with partner agencies on best practices in this area. However, as noted above, we have found that simply informing the client that they can have these discussions with staff encourages later follow-up, often with their case manager or medical provider.

Here is a link to the section of our website that has information about the MAP AIDSLine:

http://www.mnaidsproject.org/prevention/aidsline.htm