For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Justin Burke -
213.201.1525
AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES RELAUNCHES ONLINE AND PRINT HIV/AIDS SERVICES GUIDES
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Los Angeles, CA, November 10, 2006 -- AIDS Project Los Angeles today announced the relaunch of HIV L.A. and VIH L.A., comprehensive, bilingual online and print guides to HIV/AIDS services available across Los Angeles County. The site and its companion print directory, now in its fourth edition, have undergone major modifications.
Both are now populated by a cartoon character referred to as SeRG (an acronym for Service Referral Guide) and dozens of other characters who represent the many faces of HIV in Los Angeles and beyond.
The print directory was revised after extensive consultation with clients, community partners and area HIV service providers. Its 1,500 listings are organized by 33 categories of service and by geographic region.
The current edition is a compilation of three previous directories: English and Spanish versions and a third version for other health service providers. HIV L.A. is distributed to 18 hubs in all eight service planning areas (SPAs) of Los Angeles County. Direct distribution to individuals is also available to anyone who calls the project coordinator.
The HIV L.A. Web site (www.hivla.org, www.vihla.org) went live with its new look on Latino AIDS Awareness Day. In the last 11 months, the site generated an average of almost 7,700 hits per month from its nearly 1,800 unique visitors.
HIV L.A. is a partnership between APLA and the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy.
“We are pleased to offer a set of new, improved and exhaustively researched HIV L.A. and VIH L.A products,” said Craig E. Thompson, executive director of AIDS Project Los Angeles. “The online and print directories are now the quickest, easiest and most engaging way to locate HIV/AIDS-related services throughout Los Angeles County.”
The site and directory also contain 25 fact sheets, created to provide information and context for the various HIV service categories in Los Angeles County. Topics include: Crystal Meth and HIV; Early Intervention Programs; Food & Nutrition; Housing; Incarcerated Services; Mental Health Services; Public Benefits; and Youth Services.
A five-page section for providers contains overviews of county health districts, service planning areas and service provider networks, along with common abbreviations and resources for skills-building, so that other providers can make effective referrals for their clients.
In addition to the print directory and Web site, a toll-free hotline for clients and service providers can be reached at: (866) 772-2365.
AIDS Project Los Angeles, one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Founded by four friends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. For more information, visit www.apla.org.
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