Mission Statement: Triad Health Project provides emotional and practical support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, to their loved ones, and to those at risk for HIV/AIDS; implements strategies to educate those at risk and the community about HIV/AIDS; and advocates locally, regionally, and nationally for individuals and groups infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
About:
In North Carolina, about 36,800 people are living with HIV or AIDS, of those, an estimated 3,400 are unaware they are living with the disease, reported North Carolina Public Health and Human Services.
Since 1986, Triad Health Project, a nonprofit located in Greensboro, has been trying to close this gap through education, prevention and care. Originally, the group began with 14 people that wanted to give their friends a way to receive care and to “die with dignity.”
“People don’t get into care because of stigma around [HIV/AIDS],” said Paula Barger, the development director for Triad Health Project. “We want people to be, not fearful, but vigilant – get tested and know their status.”
Today, the nonprofit is the main HIV/AIDS educator and service provider for Guilford County.
Triad Health Project offers two levels of free case management assistance, serving a total of 555 people each year.
Non-Medical Case Management provides clients with referrals and services coordination to support individuals’ access to needed resources and services to address Care Plan goals that do not have a medical focus. Clients may also receive limited emergency financial assistance for housing, utilities, medication, dental, mental health, outpatient or inpatient care, liquid nutritional supplements and substance abuse treatment services for eligible HIV-positive people.
The second level of care is Medical Case Management (MCM) - an intensive level of Case Management that involves an initial assessment of clients’ medical and behavioral health histories and needs, a treatment adherence assessment and the development of Care Plan goals and activities that focus on medical outcomes and treatment adherence. Clients must be referred by a medical provider in order to enroll in MCM. Clients receive support to address barriers to achieving good health, such as mental health and substance abuse issues, homelessness and housing instability and lack of access to medication and medical care, medical case management, helping by educating about HIV medication, ways to find housing and stopping addiction.
Triad Health Project also serves over 2,000 people each year with HIV prevention education and free, confidential testing for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Results from the tests are available in two weeks. Monday nights they have a walk-in clinic from 5-7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. Participants should bring photo ID when arriving for testing.
“If people get treatment, they can basically expect to live a normal, healthy lifespan comparable to someone without HIV would have, but it does require them to be treatment adherent,” Barger said.
However, Barger also mentions that medical treatment for HIV must be ongoing one to make sure there are no complications.
Triad Health Project operates its Higher Ground day center in Greensboro to serve anyone living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Higher Ground offers a variety of support groups, therapeutic and recreational activities, meals, and a safe, supportive and welcoming environment. There is no formal enrollment or eligibility process for people to participate at Higher Ground.
Today the organization has several support groups with those specifically for men, women, healthy living, addiction, HIV, art and more.
“It is so unique as a place or modality for healing,” Barger said. “People hold each other accountable.” The Higher Ground Day Center is always looking for volunteers to prepare meals.
Triad Health Center also hosts an annual Walk and 5K fundraiser. When the event began 26 years ago, it was known as the Winter AIDS Walk. In 2017, they changed the name to the Ron Johnson Red Ribbon Run & AIDS Walk.
For more information about Triad Health Project, visit their website listed above.