SUBURBAN MARYLAND
"Dedicated to Life Empowerment"

Whitman-Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland
7676 New Hampshire Avenue,
Suite 411
Takoma Park, MD 20912
E-mail: wwcmdwwc.org

301-408-5000	(Main Line)
301-439-2983	(Fax)
301-408-5041	(TDD)
301-408-5040	(Main Primary Medical)
301-408-5029	(Medical Fax)
301-408-5000	(SMART)
301-408-5000	(Behavioral Health Services (new clients))
301-408-5000	(Interpreter Services)
301-408-5026 and 4012	(HRAP/ Emergency Financial Assistance)
301-408-5028	(Prescription Refill Line)
301-408-5017	(Prevention & Education)

Whitman-Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland (WWC/MD) was established in 1991 as a nonprofit community based health organization committed to  providing health services to all adults affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout suburban Maryland. We also work to ensure the continued physical and mental health of Maryland's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. Our service area encompasses Prince George's, Montgomery, Frederick, Charles and Calvert Counties.

The Clinic's programs range from direct client care services to educational programs that seek to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.  To learn about any of these services just simply "click" on a title.

Confidential and Anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing Interpreter Services
Primary Medical
Prevention and Education Services
Assisted Transportation
Emergency Financial Assistance
Emergency Pharmaceutical Assistance
Legal Services
Rental Assistance
Support Groups
Substance Abuse Counseling
Case Management
Access
Mental Health Counseling

Interpreter Services:

Contact:  301-408-5000.

WWCMD works with people living with HIV/AIDS to overcome barriers that may limit access to medical and non-medical care. One obstacle that clients encounter is a language barrier. To meet the needs of people who are hearing impaired, deaf, or whose first language is not English, we keep a list of interpreters in the community who are proficient in Portuguese, French, Spanish, Amharic and American Sign Language. To best ensure availability of an appropriate interpreter, please schedule 3-5 days in advance.

Confidential and Anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing

WWCMD offers anonymous or confidential HIV counseling and testing and confidential screening for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) every Wednesday (on a walk-in basis) from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM with the last test given at 5:30 PM at the Clinic at 7676 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 411, in Takoma Park. If you only want an HIV test, please call 301-408-5000 to schedule an anonymous or confidential HIV test appointment on any other day than Wednesday with a bilingual (Spanish/English) counselor.

HIV counseling and testing is performed by the Suburban Maryland AIDS Reduction Team (SMART)

Primary Medical:
WWCMD opened its Primary Medical Suite in November of 2001. This program allows WWC to deliver primary medical care to the HIV/AIDS infected populations living in Suburban Maryland. Patients are seen throughout the week with formal clinics offered by appointment. Services include:

• Confidential Medical Care to the uninsured and underinsured populations of Suburban Maryland diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
• Emergency HIV/AIDS Pharmacy Assistance
• Medication instruction
• CD4 and Viral Load Monitoring
• Laboratory Services
• Vaccinations
• Nursing Adherence Clinics
• Nutritional Counseling
• Health Education Classes
• Referrals to subspecialty care, including dermatologists, dentists, and neurologists
• Assistance in accessing other services provided by WWCMD such as mental health, case management, prevention and education, legal and all other available services.

If you are interested in becoming a medical patient at WWCMD, please contact the access coordinator at WWCMD.

Contact: New Patients: Access Coordinator:	301-408-5000
Appointment Scheduling and Rx renewals:	301-408-5040
Fax:	301-408-5029
HIV Counseling and Testing	301-408-5000
Donation of Medical Supplies	202-745-6100

Suburban Maryland AIDS Reduction Training (S.M.A.R.T) Campaign:

James" Juicy" Coleman, Program Manager  301-408-5017	Providing outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community
Wendy Briscoe, Senior Health Educator  301-408-5042	Providing outreach to female heterosexuals. Also serves as the Speaker's Bureau contact for SMART.
Brian Suter, Senior Health Educator, Outreach Coordinator   301-408-5043	Providing outreach to heterosexual males.
Aly Villagomez, HIV Counselor 301-408-5058	Providing bilingual (Spanish/English) HIV counseling and testing.
Preston James, Prevention Specialist 301-408-5044	Providing Popular Opinion Leader (POL) intervention

The SMART Program is a five-year, CDC funded, cooperative agreement to provide HIV/AIDS Prevention in Suburban Maryland, specifically targeting African Americans in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. Services available to all populations include street and community outreach, HIV counseling and testing, prevention workshops, individual HIV risk reduction counseling, peer education training, and a speaker's bureau.

Training is provided and you are encouraged to contact any staff person to get further information or to find out how you can help to decrease the alarming number of new infections in Suburban Maryland, particularly in communities of color. Contact the appropriate staff person to:

• Volunteer your services
• Arrange for an anonymous or confidential HIV test
• Arrange for someone to speak to your civic, social or church organization
• To provide prevention outreach coverage for your health fair, bazaar, social event or conference;
• Find an expert to discuss a personal sexual issue
• To receive peer educator training
• Find specialized services beyond the scope of the SMART program

Popular Opinion Leader (POL) intervention for SMART is a community-level intervention that targets African American men who have sex with men (MSM). Funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the core elements of the POL intervention are to 1) Identify and enlist the support of popular and well-liked opinion leaders to take on risk reduction advocacy roles, 2) Train cadres of opinion leaders to disseminate risk-reduction endorsement messages in conversations within their own natural social networks and, 3) Support and reinforce successive waves of opinion leaders to help reshape social norms to encourage safer sex.

Click here for more information on SMART.

Poder Latino ("Latino Power"):

Contact: Enrique Perez (301) 408-5049

The Poder Latino ("Latino Power") Program of Whitman Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland educates gay and bisexual Latino men of Montgomery and Prince George's counties about the risk of HIV and empowers them to live lives of greater sexual health. The project objectives are accomplished through the following activities:
STREET OUTREACH
PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL SKILLS-BUILDING GROUPS
EDUCATIONAL HOME PARTIES
COUNSELING AND TESTING

For more information, call 301-408-5049.

Assisted Transportation:

Contact: Main Clinic Line     301-408-5000

The Assisted Transportation program helps eligible people living with HIV/AIDS to access transportation to and from case management, medical, mental health or social services appointments. The program uses a metro token system and a contracted cab company. Only a case manager may make a referral. Clients cannot self-refer.

Emergency Financial Assistance:

Contact: Main Clinic Line     301-408-5000

Emergency Financial Assistance (housing related needs) provides assistance to enable people with HIV/AIDS to remain in their homes and to prevent homelessness. Funds can only be provided to cover rent, utilities and telephone service. A case manager must determine eligibility.

Emergency Pharmaceutical Assistance:

Contact: Main Clinic Line     301-408-5000

WWCMD enhances access to FDA approved drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS. Full assistance is given for up to two weeks for those awaiting approval for entitlement programs that cover such treatments. Arrangements are made for assistance for those ineligible for such programs.

Only a case manager can determine eligibility. Clients cannot self-refer.

Legal Services:
A variety of free legal services are offered through WWC. These services include but are not limited to:

• Assistance with public benefits
• Designating power of attorney
• Health care decisions
• Employment Discrimination

Volunteer attorneys serve most clients but, depending on the legal matter presented, a WWC staff attorney orlegal intern may be assigned the case. Generally, WWC Legal Services cannot represent a client in a bankruptcy filing, criminal case, divorce, tenant or landlord situation, military proceeding or probate. However, we may be able to answer questions clients have about legal aspects of HIV. The Maryland Clinic does not offer this service directly, but it is available to Suburban Maryland Residents through the Washington D.C. office. If a client is unable to leave their home or hospital room, Legal Services may be able to arrange for a volunteer attorney to visit to draft a simple will or to complete power of attorney documents.

Rental Assistance:

Contact: Main Clinic Line     301-408-5000

Rental assistance is provided through the Housing and Rental Assistanceprogram (HRAP), and provides long-term rental assistance to low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. This program's goal is to increase funding and housing options to meet the needs of clients at all stages of illness, focusing on homelessness prevention, by providing rental assistance for families and individuals living in a shelter, in a temporary agreement with friends or family, or who wish to remain in their current housing situation.

Support Groups:
List of drop- In/Rap/Support/Therapy Groups

Monday & Thursday, weekly, from 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Structured Abstinence Group is a nine-month addiction support program for HIV + residents of Maryland. The program is separated into three phases of 12 weeks each. Mandatory AA/NA Meetings and Urinalysis. Located at Whitman-Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland. Advance Screening is required. For more information, please contact the Staff Addictions Counselor at 301-408-5037.

Tuesdays, weekly, from  4:00-6:00 PM

Aftercare Group is a six-month addiction support program for HIV+ residents of Maryland who have at least nine months of sobriety. Mandatory AA/NA Meetings and Urinalysis. Meetings are located at Whitman-Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland. Advance Screening is required. For more information, please contact the Staff Addictions Counselor at 301-408-5037.

Thursday, weekly. From 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Women’s Psychological & Educational Group for HIV+ women in MD is an on-going group for women living with HIV/AIDS. Group is open to women living in Maryland and is held at Whitman-Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland, 7676 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 411, Takoma Park, MD 20912. Screening is required and at minimum a one-month commitment is need. Please call Kara at 301-408-5018, or e-mail, kpeterswwc.org, for more details.

Fridays. Weekly, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Newly Diagnosed HIV 8-Week Psycho-Educational and Support Group is open to all genders, all sexual orientations and ages 16 and older. Must have been diagnosed HIV + within the last 12 months; however longer than 12 months are welcomed. Group is held at Whitman-Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland, 7676 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 411, Takoma Park, MD 20912. Advance telephone screening is required. Must be able to give at least a 4-week commitment. For more information please contact, Adina at 301-408-5016/e-mail amaddenwwc.org or Maurisa at 301-408-5031/e-mail mdarbywwc.org.

Other support groups are available to residents of Suburban Maryland at our downtown and NOVA facilities. 

Contact: Main Clinic Line      301-408-5000

Substance Abuse:

Contact: Staff Addictions Counselor 301-408-5037

TThe clinic provides an array of addiction services for HIV+ individuals. Our services focuses on “LIVING IN RECOVERY”, which encompass initial individual assessment, multiple levels of outpatient treatment, individual substance abuse counseling, intensive residential treatment placement assistance, and referrals.

Our philosophy of treatment emphasizes respect for the individual patient with a goal to provide targeted care to help individuals stop abusing mood altering substances and start living well with their HIV. The "LIVING IN RECOVERY" program focuses on addiction education, reducing or eliminating alcohol and drug use, managing HIV, using 12-step recovery resources and tools, and developing more healthy life skills and behaviors to establish an effective program of recovery. The onsite outpatient treatment groups that are part of our “LIVING IN RECOVERY” series are:

• HARM REDUCTION To Be Announced(A 10 week program: Meeting once weekly for two hours.)
• STRUCTURED ABSTINENCE Monday and Thursday 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm (A 9-month program separated into three phases of 12 weeks each: Mandatory AA/NA Meetings & Urinalysis)
• AFTERCARE Tuesday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(A six-month program for individuals with at least nine months: Mandatory AA/NA Meetings & Urinalysis)
  
  For more information about Substance Abuse Services at WWC/MD, please contact the Staff Addictions Counselor at 301-408-5037.

Case Management:

Contact: Main Clinic Line     301-408-5000

Case Management links people with HIV/AIDS to life sustaining services and care.  Case Management includes: Determination of client service eligibility, assessment, advocacy, resource identification, and service planning. Case Managers provide:

• Initial and ongoing assessment
• Development and implementation of  a plan of care
• Location, coordination, and monitoring of quality services to meet the needs of each client.

Clients may receive case management services in a limited, intermediate or comprehensive fashion, as determined together by the client and his or her case manager. Eligibility criteria include:

• Client must reside in Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick, Charles, or Calvert counties.
• Client must be at least 16 years old
• Client must possess or access HIV-verifying medical documentation.
• Clients must meet certain low income criteria.
• Clients must be determined un- or underinsured.

Access:

Contact: Main Clinic Line      301-408-5000

In order to receive services at WWC, a prospective client must schedule a meeting (Intake interview) with an access counselor.  In Maryland, this counselor is the Client Services Access Coordinator (CSAC).  The CSAC interviews the client to determine the client's presenting problem(s), conduct an initial assessment, screen for eligibility for service(s), and provide information about services available through WWC and other organizations.  In assisting the client with identification of programs and services needed, the CSAC then works in conjunction with the client to assess and ensure the client's physical and emotional safety, and address the presenting problem(s) through the development of a preliminary plan of care. Eligibility Criteria include:

• Client must live in suburban Maryland (Montgomery, Price George's, Frederick, Charles, or Calvert Counties).
• Client must be at least 16 years old.
• Client must be HIV-infected or –affected.
• If client desires services requiring that require s/he be HIV+, that client must possess or have access to medical documentation that verifies the client's HIV+ status and the CSAC must verify HIV status.
• Clients must meet certain low income criteria.
• Clients must be determined un- or underinsured.

Tuberculosis Screening

• Those clients who do NOT receive medical services at WWC must provide documentation (if any) of most recent PPD (Tuberculosis) test.  A patient may also show documentation of a recent chest X-ray (when appropriate), documenting the results at the time of the intake interview.  If the client does not have any documentation stating that s/he had a PPD test within the last year, the client is responsible for obtaining this information from his or her Primary Care Physician BEFORE the client's next appointment.  If the client has not been tested for Tuberculosis in the past year, the client must do so at his or her own expense (unless eligible for Medical Specialty Care financial assistance), and provide the CSAC with the results prior to his/her next appointment. 

If the client has active Tuberculosis at time of intake interview, the client must provide the CSAC with documentation that he/she is under a doctor's care in order to receive services at WWC.

Mental Health:

Contact: Main Clinic Line 301-408-5000

Whether you are coming out, HIV-positive, understanding you sexual identity, newly diagnosed with HIV, depressed, dealing with self-esteem issues, conquering substance abuse, want to join a support group, or fall into several of the categories, WWC can help you deal with your emotional needs. At WWC there are several programs that have been designed to provide emotional support or therapy.  They include:

• Addiction
• Psychotherapy (individual, couples, group, or family therapy)
• Support Groups

In order to be eligible for RW funded services:

• Client must be infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS
• Client must be uninsured or underinsured for Mental Health Therapy

(Because Medicaid currently provides full mental health coverage, no clients receiving Medicaid may be accepted; if this is the case, clients are referred to an appropriate mental health provider who accepts Medicaid. In the event that the mental health program becomes able to bill Medicaid, clients receiving Medicaid may be accepted into the program.)

• Clients must reside in Montgomery, Prince George's, Calvert, Frederick, or Charles County.
• Clients must meet certain low income criteria

The goal of therapy groups at WWCMD is to meet the psychological and emotional needs of those persons infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. Therapy groups aim to increase the coping abilities and improve the quality of life for participants by providing support, therapy, education and appropriate referrals.

Suburban Maryland News

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