February 2, 2012

The next seminar in the Positive Life Series will feature new Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment options. Speakers will include Dr. David Wyles, (UCSD) and Tracy Swan from Treatment Action Group (T.A.G.). A light supper will be served at 6:00 PM, and the program will begin at 6:30 PM. The location is the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Medical Center (at the corner of Tachevah and Via Miraleste in Palm Springs), and the event, sponsored by Jewish Family Services of the Desert, is always free. ASL translation will be provided. Please email or call Jeff Taylor at jefftaylorps@gmail.com , or 760.835.1926, with any questions. However, YOU DO NOT NEED TO RSVP!

Saturday, February 11, 6:00 PM

Get out your tuxes and gowns! Drawing for tickets to Steve Chase Gala!

stevechasedrawing

stevechase2012

For 17 years, the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala has raised millions of dollars for direct client services at Desert AIDS Project. This year, ten free tickets to the gala will be available in a drawing to be held at D.A.P. on Monday, February 6! See above for instructions on how to enter. If you can buy a ticket, great. If not, try your luck in our drawing! The gala itself will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday, February 11 at 5:30 PM. This year's gala host is the incorrigible Joan Rivers, with performances by Queen Latifah, Wynonna Judd, Megan Mullally and David Burnham. Click here for more information and tickets. (sb) (rv)
Back to top

Community Center Events

The Client Community Center hosts regular activities and events every week (listed below). Community Center special events and other activities can now be found on the main D.A.P. website. Click here for the complete list of upcoming special events.

Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, Noon - 12:45 PM

Community Center Presents:

GUIDED MEDITATION & AFFIRMATIONS

meditate

New sessions using guided imagery and affirmations as narrated by Belleruth Naparstek. You'll gain deeper relaxation, healing and wellness. Just show up to the Meditation Room on designated days and time.
Lower anxiety, stress, and depression!

Second and fourth Monday every month, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Community Center Presents:

SPIRITUAL LIVING 101
The D.A.P. Community Center in the DHD Room is the new location for this spiritual support group, facilitated by Stefen. The group meets to empower people and celebrate the fullest expressions of spirituality in daily living. For more information please contact Stefen at 760.856.0886.

We honor truth!

Every Thursday, 1:00 PM - Movie & Pizza

Community Center Presents: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES
February 9

Michael Clayton (2007) A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit. Starring George Clooney and Tilda Swinton. Come out for a good flick!

Ongoing Client Community Center activities include:

Support groups
Spiritual Living 101
Hepatitis C Therapy Education
Diabetes Education
Stitch in Time (needlecraft), Wednesdays, 10:00 AM
Community Center Computer Lab
Lending Library
Free films, Thursdays, 1:00 PM

Follow this link to see the recurring activities on the Community Center Calendar.

Back to top

D.A.P. and Community News

Desert AIDS Project is undergoing an electronic health record conversion

In an effort to improve the delivery of care and the coordination of services to its clients, Desert AIDS Project has elected to convert its aging electronic health record system, ALTEER, to a new system, thanks to the generosity of grant funders. The implementation of this new system, Greenway, will occur over several weeks beginning January 31, 2012. During the implementation process, the providers and staff will have changes in their schedules that may occur on short notice. D.A.P. management recognizes and apologizes for any inconvenience or disruption this may cause its clients. We are making every effort to keep any disruption to a minimum. We request and appreciate your patience and understanding while we are going through this transition to improve your care. Please contact any of the following directors at 760.323.2118, if you need any assistance during this transition: (rv)

Joy Hamilton, MD, MBA, Clinical Services - ext. 251

Brande Orr, MBA, Program Services - ext. 256

Robin Johnson, Social Services - ext. 229

Nesteggg offers free tax filings for D.A.P. clients

Client Satisfaction Surveys from the Ryan White program office

D.A.P. receives funding from the Ryan White program to link low-income people living with HIV/AIDS to services if they meet federally-mandated eligibility criteria, and have no other insurance options. Our local Ryan White program office at the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health will be mailing out Client Satisfaction Surveys to clients who:

1.0736842105263158

1. Have not opted out of receiving mail

2. Have received any Ryan-White funded service this past program year

3. Are age 18 and over

Surveys will include a pre-paid return envelope. The survey is ANONYMOUS and OPTIONAL. Completing this survey is the client's choice. D.A.P. will never know who chose or chose not to participate. A client's eligibility for services is not affected by their choice either way. Surveys will be accepted until March 9, 2012. If you have chosen not to receive mail, printed copies will be made available shortly at D.A.P. (rv)

The Client Advocacy Committee needs your input

The Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) needs volunteers for several new focus groups to help improve D.A.P. client services:

Group 1: Clients who have only been served by D.A.P.

Group 2: Clients served by other HIV service provider(s) prior to coming to D.A.P.

Group 3: Women clients

Group 4: Minorities/People of color

If you are in one or more of these categories and would like to be a client advocate please contact Robin Johnson at rjohnson@desertaidsproject.org, or call 760.323.2118. CAC is also looking for additional members. Apply at D.A.P. or contact cletus.warren@yahoo.com. Meetings are on the second Tuesdays of each month at 2:00 PM in the Community Center.

The Client Advocacy Committee is made up of D.A.P. clients who endeavor to:

--Help D.A.P. improve their services to clients through client suggestions and comments;
--Advocate for funding for all people with HIV/AIDS;
--Educate and increase awareness of services offered to clients through D.A.P.

Comment cards are available in the hallway at D.A.P. and at the front desk. All cards with contact information will be responded to. If the card is a grievance, it is given directly to staff to be dealt with in a formal grievance procedure. (rv)

Honoring Barbara Keller

D.A.P.'s Barbara Keller to receive 342nd Golden Palm Star

D.A.P. grande dame Barbara Keller will be honored with the 342nd Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. The star will be unveiled during a star dedication ceremony on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 4:00 PM at 200 South Palm Canyon Drive. The public and media are invited to attend. Barbara Keller is well-known in the desert as a supportive wife, businesswoman (she and her husband, Jerry, are owners of Lulu Bistro and Acqua Pazza restaurants), loving mother, devoted daughter, and all-around humanitarian. Her tireless efforts and dedication to Desert AIDS Project, Jewish Family Services of the Desert, and the Palm Springs Museum, are just three examples of how Barbara enriches all of our lives. She is also a huge supporter of civil rights, women's rights, and equal rights. Barbara Keller's professional career involved all aspects of the theater and film in New York. From playwright to director and union organizer, Barbara lived a fast-paced big city life. She taught theater arts and was executive producer of two theater companies before becoming a tough-as-nails labor negotiator in the entertainment industry. Now in "retirement", Barbara is co-chair of the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala, among her many philanthropic activities. She has also published three books. The last, 11 years ago, was called "Orgasmic Days in the South of France", where she and Jerry had a home for many years. This star ceremony honors one of our City's most shining and beloved humanitarians. (rv)

This & That

Discover modernism, discover Palm Springs

One of Palm Springs' most exciting annual events is coming up February 11-26. Modernism Week attracts modernism enthusiasts from around the world to our City, a well-know bastion of modern architectural treasures, and design. Modernism, for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to a revolt, or movement, against the conservative values of realism. Possibly the most paradigmatic motive of modernism was the rejection of tradition. Modernism rejected the lingering certainty of enlightenment thinking, and also the existence of a compassionate,

all-powerful Creator God. Instead, modernists, beginning in the early 1900's, began favoring the abstract, unconventional, largely uncertain ethic brought on by modernity, which was initiated around the turn of century by rapidly changing technology, and further catalyzed by the horrific consequences of World War I on the cultural psyche of artists. Many today use the term modernism to describe architecture and design which began to appear at that time, and flourished in the 1950's and early 1960's. You may want to consider taking one of the many home tours offered during Modernism Week. Close to the Desert AIDS Project is the Racquet Club Estates neighborhood, where the famed "Alexander" homes, and Wexler "steel homes", can be plentifully found, and whose annual home tour is one of the week's most popular. (rv)

Quote of the Week

"The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm."

--Aldous Huxley

Resources

D.A.P. Resources: website and toll-free number

Remember that the Desert AIDS Project toll-free phone number is always available at 866.331.3344, as is the website at www.desertaidsproject.org. (jl)

DAPCAN archives now available online

Do you need to take another look at something you read in DAPCAN last month only to find that you already deleted the issue from your inbox? Now you can find past DAPCAN issues online by clicking this link. As always, you can also read the most current edition of DAPCAN on the D.A.P. website by visiting www.desertaidsproject.org/newsletter. (jl)

Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP)

AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)

For those who qualify, medical care and help paying for your medications are available through the MISP and ADAP programs. You can find out if you qualify by scheduling an appointment by calling the numbers below. You can schedule your MISP and ADAP appointments together for Moreno Valley office ONLY. If you qualify for ADAP only, there is a local ADAP office right here at Desert AIDS Project. Specify the Palm Springs office when you call to make your appointment. Here are the numbers:

877.501.5085 - toll free

951.486.5375 - English

951.486.5400 - Spanish

951.486.4635 - fax

***NEW YEAR REMINDER!: Your annual appointments to continue qualifying for ADAP are usually scheduled on or before your birthdate. Avoid risking loss of coverage and long call hold times. Don't let the date creep up on you without making an appointment! The earlier you call, the better. (sb)

NOTICE: Faxed MISP applications can get lost in the process. Most persons who have faxed their application have had to re-apply later. It's best to apply in person in Moreno Valley, and get a "receipt of application", and use that as proof that you applied to avoid any uninterrupted services with your DAP medical doctor visits. (rv) (jl)

Back to top

ADAP may pay Medicare Part D premium

ADAP-eligible clients who have to purchase Part D prescription drug coverage may qualify to have their Part D premium paid by the State of California. Follow this link to the Part D Premium Payment Program Application. You can also call the State of California at 916.449.5900 for more information. (jl)

Call 211 for essential human services in Riverside County

2-1-1 is a toll-free service for residents looking for information about essential human services such as affordable housing, food pantries, help for an aging parent, free or low cost health services, addiction prevention programs, employment, support groups, volunteer opportunities, and 1,700 additional services! (jl)

To contact state and federal officials click on name:

President Barack Obama
Senator Diane Feinstein
Senator Barbara Boxer
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack
Congressman Jerry Lewis
Governor Jerry Brown
State Senator Bill Emmerson
State Senator Juan Vargas
Assembly member Brian Nestande
Assembly member Manual Perez

Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter (DAPCAN) presents published material, reprinted with permission, and neither endorses or opposes any material. All information contained in this newsletter, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Always discuss treatment options with a physician who specializes in treating HIV. Publication of the name or likeness of any individual in articles in this newsletter is not to be construed as any indication of the HIV status of such individual. If you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter, please notify us by using the email address below:

For questions, comments, or unsubscribe contact us at: DAPCAN@DesertAIDSProject.org

Additional Contacts/Social Networking