Connecting Individuals Living With HIV/AIDS to Essential Resources
While the international HIV and AIDS epidemic may garner the majority of media attention, the fact remains that more than 1.2 million people in our own country are living with HIV. In fact, Jacksonville ranks third in Florida for new HIV/AIDS cases.
That’s why Lutheran Social Services established the AIDS Care and Education (ACE) Program in 1992 – to connect those living with HIV/AIDS with the necessary resources to not only function, but to thrive in the community. The ACE Program is one of the few initiatives in Northeast Florida that provides wraparound services to HIV/AIDS patients, providing over 1,200 clients with access to vital services each year.
LSS has now partnered with Community AIDS Network (CAN) to create the only comprehensive care facility in the Southside area, now open. Sarasota-based CAN has 25+ years of experience serving those with HIV/AIDS, and manages this full-service medical clinic at the LSS headquarters on Philips Highway. Through this partnership, we can make the challenges our clients face a little easier with a full scope of quality services all under one roof, including:
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Medical Case Management
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Quality Medical Care
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Lifesaving Medications
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Therapeutic Interventions
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Peer-led and Clinician-based Support Groups
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Psychiatric Services
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Financial Management & Housing Assistance
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Assistance Applying for Available Benefits
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Life-Coping Strategies & Skills
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Community Food Pantry
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HIV & STD Testing
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On-Site Lab Work
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Physician Appointments
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Full-Service Pharmacy
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Peer Support
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PrEP Services
ACE Program Details
The ACE Program works in conjunction with federal programs such as Ryan White and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
For a listing of HIV testing sites in Jacksonville, please click here.
For more information, contact Zane Urbanski at zane.urbanski@lssjax.org.
I was shocked when my doctor sat me down and told me I was HIV-positive. When the initial shock wore off, I felt stunned… and angry. I had to pick myself up by my bootstraps and get it together, not for myself but for my daughters. The team at the ACE Program helped me understand my treatment and encouraged me to join a support group to gain extra encouragement. I’m not just a case number to them. I have a name, a family, a passion for life, and everyone I work with at the ACE Program knows me for who I am as a person.