HIV/AIDS Support
HIV/AIDS Support
PROGRAMS
Family Circle of Support
Helping hands
Bridge to wellness
benefits counseling
Contact:
Denise Barrera
Program Director
Phone: 646-477-0390
Fax: 212-714-2838
In 1992, COAC initiated the first independent service offering assistance to AIDS-affected parents to plan for the future of their children and avoid their placement into the foster care system. Since that time, COAC has been providing legal and social services to families living with HIV/AIDS in order to improve their quality of life and ensure a stable home and future for children. COAC has continually expanded over the years to meet the demands of its participants. We provide a wide range of supportive and therapeutic services within our Family Circle of Support, Helping Hands, Bridge to Wellness Care Coordination, and new Benefits Counseling programs.
What we offer the community
Individual and Family Counseling. Therapeutic home and office based services for individuals and families to help parents and families openly discuss ongoing issues and arrive at solutions.
Care Coordination. Assistance with medication adherence, accompaniments to appointments, and health education workshops all with the goal of promoting mental and physical wellness.
Benefits Counseling. Assistance with financial literacy and support as you return to work, referrals to job placement/training programs, and assistance understanding changes to your benefits.
Support Groups. We provide Parent/Guardian Groups. Groups can be created upon community need.
Legal and Benefits Assistance. Our legal staff are able to address issues including public benefits, wills, adoptions, guardianship, healthcare proxies, and permanency planning.
Educational Workshops. Workshops for professionals and consumers address a wide variety of topics such as financial literacy, health/nutrition, self-care and wellness, housing, client's rights, etc. We provide in-home services, presentations and consultations with community agencies, schools and hospitals.
Advisory Board Meetings. Participants can regularly provide feedback and make recommendations on program services to ensure their needs are being met.
Linkage to Resources. As additional needs arise, our staff will provide appropriate referrals to other agencies in your community, and accompany clients to appointments to help advocate for their needs.
Community Home Test Giveaway. We offer free HIV tests sent to people's homes or picked up in the office funded by the New York Department of Health.
“Faced with adversity, you have the choice of giving in, or fighting. We must never forget that our clients are also our neighbors and friends”
Legal Services
Contact:
Estefana Avila
Attorney At Law
Phone: 212-475-0222, ext. 205
The Family Circle of Support provides the following legal services to persons living with HIV/AIDS:
Public Benefits
Wills
Health Care Proxies
Powers of Attorney
Standby Guardianship
Permanency Planning
Guardianships
Adoption
Bankruptcy
Family Law matters
Workshops related to the above topics and/or any legal topics can be conducted onsite or in the home. Please contact the attorney for details.
Convenient Hours
Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. In addition, our counseling, care coordination, and legal teams can make appointments outside of the hours based on your availability and need. Visits are conducted where you feel most comfortable - in the home, our office, or anywhere else.
COAC Commitment
We provide culturally sensitive services for families affected by HIV/AIDS. Our consumers include people of all ages and cultures from all five boroughs of New York City. Our services are offered in English, Spanish, French, and Creole.
Services are free and confidential.