Working with the HIV and Hepatitis C Population

Description:

Inmates in jails and prisons across the United States are disproportionately affected by multiple health problems including HIV, sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C. The prevalence of Hepatitis C in incarcerated individuals is 40 times that of the general U.S. population. In addition, each year an estimated 1 in 7 persons living with HIV pass through a correctional facility. Most of them acquired HIV in the community, not while they were incarcerated. Incarcerated populations have more risk factors that are associated with acquiring and transmitting HIV and Hepatitis C, including injection drug use, commercial sex work, untreated mental illness, and lower socioeconomic status. This training will provide an overview of the transmission, prevention, testing and treatment options for HIV and Hepatitis C. Attendees will also gain an understanding of how co-occurring mental health and chemical health conditions affect disease progression and medication adherence. Participants will be given resources for local HIV and Hepatitis C support services that can be helpful for re-entry.

Presenter: Becca Stickney

Becca, the Community Education Coordinator at the Minnesota AIDS Project, has over 15 years of experience in the field of HIV and sexual health.  Becca specializes in HIV curriculum development, training implementation and community education for individuals at-risk and professionals working with clients living with HIV. Becca is a certified Red Cross HIV Instructor Trainer and Hepatitis C Support Project Certified HCV Basic Educator. She trains volunteers to become HIV educators in the community and coordinates the volunteer speaker’s bureau at MAP.  She has co-authored and conducted a two-day training for chemical health providers titled, “The Intersection of Chemical Health and HIV.” 

Online Registrations will be given first priority.

Trainings are free to all current MCCA members.

If you are currently a MCCA member, please go to mnmcca.com to sign in and register for the training. If you are currently not a member, please sign-up at mnmcca.com for a membership, a training fee of $30 will be owed. This annual investment pays for one year of monthly trainings sessions and your membership to MCCA.

Questions can be directed to Dani Harrington, Director of Membership dharrington@rseden.org.