Preparing for the Outside

If you are'or have a friend or relative who is'incarcerated and in need of help finding HIV services and support on the outside, you may have to do some legwork on your own. HIV Plus has compiled some tips and contacts to help get the process started. Things to Do ' Enlist family or friends on the outside to make phone calls for you, to do paperwork, and to make appointments. ' Ask if there is a case manager in the prison who can help you. ' Call your local county health department or AIDS service organization'find the number through the list of contacts in 'The ADAP List' or in the HIV PlusVital Resources section. ' Some major things you may want to think about are housing, drug-use treatment, health insurance (this may mean Medicaid, Medicare, assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, funding from the Ryan White Act, or your state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program), getting a doctor's appointment, job training and placement, and mental health treatment. ' Write a letter asking for information about services in your area. Contact Jackie Walker, National Prison Project, 733 15th St. N.W., Suite 620, Washington, DC 20005. Places to Contact ' For your state's ADAP office call the number in 'The ADAP List.' ' Find an AIDS service organization in your area or in the HIV PlusVital Resources section. ' National STD and AIDS Hotline, (800) 342-2437. Call for county or state health department information or for help finding information about your state's ADAP. ' California State Office of AIDS, (916) 449-5900. ' New York City Department of Health AIDS Hotline, (800) 825-5448. ' New York City's Gay Men's Health Crisis Hotline, (800) 243-7692. ' New Jersey AIDS Hotline, (800) 624-2377. ' Illinois AIDS Hotline, (800) 243-2437 within Illinois or (217) 524-5983 out of state. ' Florida AIDS Hotline, (800) 352-2437. ' Georgia AIDS Hotline, (800) 551-2728 within Georgia or (404) 876-9944 out of state. ' Massachusetts AIDS Hotline, (800) 235-2331. ' Washington, D.C., AIDS Hotline, (202) 332-2437 within D.C. or (202) 727-2500 outside D.C. Call (202)-328-0697 for assistance in Spanish. ' Veterans Health Administration: (877) 222-8387, https://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/.