Regional Prevention and Support Services Initiative of RPSSI Nassau County

The Regional Prevention and Support Services Initiative of Nassau County (RPSSI Nassau) is a program funded by the New York State (NYS) Department of Health, AIDS Institute’s Office of Population Health and Prevention Programs, Division of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) /STD ( Sexually Transmitted Infection ) /HCV ( Hepatitis C Virus) Prevention. The Program is implementing a consortium model, bringing together all center-based providers of clinical care for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a majority of the community-based organizations providing support services in Nassau County. Northwell Health’s Center for AIDS Research and Treatment (CART) at North Shore University Hospital serves as the lead agency providing program coordination, fiscal oversight, monitoring and evaluation of the Program. Through expanded services, data-based decision making, and improved coordination and implementation of best practices across consortium partners, the RPSSI Nassau Program aims to achieve the following goals and objectives. 

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RPSSI Nassau Program Goals

  • To decrease the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections ( STI ), including HIV infection, among target populations.

  • To improve health outcomes for PLWHA ( People Living With HIV/AIDS ) and prevent transmission of HIV to their sexual or substance using partners.

RPSSI Nassau Program Objectives

  • Provide HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ),

  • HCV ( Hepatitis C Virus ) and STI ( Sexually Transmitted Infection) prevention education.

  • Increase HIV, HCV, and STI screening

  • Expand access to and awareness of PEP ( Post Exposure Prophylaxis medication to prevent HIV after a possible exposure ) / PrEP ( Pre-exposure Prophylaxis medication to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use for those at risk )

  • Link PLWHA and those at risk to treatment, prevention and support services

  • Increase Support Services Navigation and improve coordination of case management activities

     

RPSSI Nassau Program Objectives

  • Provide HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ),

  • HCV ( Hepatitis C Virus ) and STI ( Sexually Transmitted Infection) prevention education.

  • Increase HIV, HCV, and STI screening

  • Expand access to and awareness of PEP ( Post Exposure Prophylaxis medication to prevent HIV after a possible exposure ) / PrEP ( Pre-exposure Prophylaxis medication to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use for those at risk )

  • Link PLWHA and those at risk to treatment, prevention and support services

  • Increase Support Services Navigation and improve coordination of case management activities

     

Program Eligibility Criteria: Support Services Navigation

Support Services Navigation is offered to all individuals who…

  • Had sex with a partner without condoms or being on PrEP medication, whose HIV infection status they do not know or a partner with an HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) positive status whose virus levels they do not know or has a CD4 count above 50 copies/ml.
  • Have an HIV positive status themselves and are not fully engaged in care and treatment and/or not virally suppressed.
  • Were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the past 6 months.
However, the Program focuses its outreach efforts to the following target populations: MSM/bisexual men, women, transgender and gender non-conforming persons, people of color, immigrants, substance users (including PWID), non-English Speakers and individuals living at or below the poverty line.
HIV and STI Testing Services are open to all
Syringe Exchange Services are available to injection drug users
Evidence Based Interventions are offered to specific target populations as follows
  • Seeking Safety (Family & Children’s Association): Individuals with a history of trauma.
  • MpowerHer (Pride For Youth): Trans Women
  • Partnership for Health/Safer Sex (Center for Transgender Care): Transgender and LGBTQA+
The Program welcomes individuals of all ages, gender identity, sexual orientation, and heritage. Partner organizations have staff with specific expertise working with one or more of the following populations: MSM/bisexual men, women, transgender and gender non-conforming persons, people of color, immigrants, substance users (including PWID), non-English Speakers and individuals living at or below the poverty line.

The RPSSI Nassau Program Advisory Board

The RPSSI Program Advisory Board consists of experts in the fields of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus ) care & prevention including the Chair of the Nassau County Ending The Epidemic (ETE) Committee, the Chair of the Ryan White Planning Council, representatives from the Northwell Center for AIDS Research and Treatment (CART), representatives of the Nassau County Department of Health as well as consumers. The Board meets periodically to review the Program’s progress and service data to provide guidance on the Program’s services and implementation model, consortium partners and quality improvement efforts.