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The goal of the HIV/AIDS and STD prevention program is to increase awareness in the Arab-American community on HIV/AIDS. A main focus of the program is also to stress that the community must recognize the need to educate themselves on the importance of knowing their health status. The backbone of this program is centered on community outreach efforts.
Goals
Develop a campaign to address the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Foster awareness in the religious community.
Find ways to work together in preventing an epidemic in the Arab American community.
Services
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Deliver basic educational information about HIV to the public
Transmit knowledge to the school system and other public venues -
Ensure the return of clients to the center in order to receive their results -
Once the clients have returned for their results they can receive appropriate referrals to other interventions or services -
Individual Level Prevention Counseling (ILPC) or one-on-one intervention to review risk behaviors and create a working risk reduction plan -
Provide support and guidance for the client to implement sustained behavior change -
Client referral to the clinic for STD testing and treatment as well as hepatitis vaccinations or skills building workshop -
Intensive group level intervention where clients learn advanced negotiation skills as well as building self efficacy and self esteem
Target Group/ Client Base
High Risk Arabs and Chaldeans
Funding Source
Michigan Department of Community Health
HIV/AIDS Prevention Intervention Section (MDCH-HAPIS)
The US Conference of Mayors
The Michigan AIDS Fund (MAF)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
*Support for dialogue with religious leaders came from the US Department of Health and Human Services
Program Staff
David Ponsart, Educator/Counselor, Testing & Referral Manager/ Data Coordinator
Sam Harp, HIV Counselor
Danny Patrick, HIV Counselor
Dina Ayna, HIV Counselor
Contact Person
Chris Ayoub Ramazzotti, Program Coordinator
cayoub@accesscommunity.org
(313) 216 - 2253 | 
