Working to fight HIV for over 25 years.

Our HIV Programs and Services

History

Community Healthcare Network is New York City’s premier community provider for medical and social services for those who are HIV-positive, as well as those who are at risk of contracting HIV. CHN has been involved in planning, developing, and providing HIV/AIDS services since HIV first appeared in New York City.

We led the way as the first agency in the U.S. to incorporate HIV services, such as counseling and testing, into family planning services. We were the first in New York City to implement COBRA Case Management services, a program that helps people living with HIV navigate complex medical and psychosocial issues. It is now one of the largest COBRA programs in New York City. CHN is a New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute Authorized Training Agency.

Services and Programs

CHN provides the following prevention, education, diagnosis, and treatment services for HIV-positive individuals as well as those who are at risk of contracting HIV…

• Counseling and Testing
• Health Education, Prevention & Risk Reduction
• HIV/AIDS Medical Care
• Mental Health Care
• Social Services
• Nutrition Counseling
• Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare
• Dental Care
• Prenatal Care
• Transgender Healthcare Services
  
• Women’s Supportive Services
• Treatment Adherence

Specialized Programs:

• Access to Healthcare Program: Our staff help to enroll HIV-positive patients into the New York State AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which helps to cover the health care costs not covered by Medicaid. We collaborate with community organizations to provide outreach and health insurance enrollment assistance for uninsured and underinsured individuals.
• HIV Prevention for Women Peer Initiative: Since 1993, this program has provided targeted street outreach, educational workshops, and community presentations regarding HIV prevention for women of color in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
• Youth Access Program (YAP): Operating out of CHN’s fully equipped medical mobile unit, YAP provides access to HIV and STD screening, treatment, and prevention services. The program targets adolescents and young adults living in and around neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Our HIV Care Team

In 2008 CHN received recognition from the National Quality Center for our use of the HIV Team Model. CHN’s “HIV Team” includes doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, HIV counselors, case managers and treatment adherence specialists. These staff people meet frequently to coordinate care, thus providing patients with holistic, seamless, professional and confidential care.

Our HIV program is led by Associate Medical Director of HIV Clinical Services, Elsa Escalera, MD. She is joined by the Assistant Vice President for HIV Programs, Luis Freddy Molano, MD.