ARCW HIV Prevention Services

ARCW offers a continuum of HIV prevention services for individuals at greatest risk for HIV including gay men, injection drug users, youth and women. ARCW’s programs provide lifesaving prevention messages, prevention materials, HIV counseling and testing and referrals for additional help.

For more information on any of these services or to access help please contact the ARCW office nearest you.

Clean Needle Exchange

ARCW operates the nation’s leading statewide clean needle exchange program, Lifepoint, serving injection drug users, their spouses and their partners in 11 cities throughout Wisconsin. Lifepoint includes one-for-one exchange of used needles for new ones, HIV prevention education and risk reduction counseling, HIV and Hepatitis C counseling and testing and referrals for drug treatment and other social services. Lifepoint is conducted through a fleet of vans that visit over 20 exchange sites at community locations convenient to participants.

HIV Prevention for Gay Men

ARCW’s Bag Boyz HIV prevention program for gay men is regularly featured in local and national media as an effective strategy to reenergize HIV prevention in the gay community. The Bag Boyz are a group of 50 volunteers who conduct outreach in gay bars and other venues where gay men congregate, providing HIV prevention education, risk reduction counseling, condoms, lube and HIV counseling and testing.

Youth and Women’s HIV Outreach & Education

ARCW provides HIV prevention outreach and HIV counseling and testing to youth and women at risk through one-on-one discussions in the streets and small group counseling in domestic violence centers, homeless shelters, schools, coffeehouses and correctional facilities.

HIV and Hepatitis C Counseling and Testing

ARCW is Wisconsin’s largest provider of HIV and Hepatitis C counseling and testing. ARCW offers free Oraquick HIV tests that provide accurate HIV test results in just 20 minutes. Anonymous and confidential testing is offered through the ARCW Medical Center, ARCW offices, outreach locations and prevention programs. Please contact the ARCW office nearest you to schedule a testing appointment today.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment

ARCW is a state-licensed provider of treatment to reduce and eliminate alcohol and drug use and abuse. Based on the harm reduction philosophy which works with individuals to incrementally reduce and eventually eliminate alcohol and drug use, our staff works with people to set reasonable and achievable goals to live safer and healthier lives.

Abstinence Education

ARCW provides abstinence education and support to young people dealing with the issues and pressures related to becoming sexually active. This program provides support to youth choosing to abstain from sexual activity through one-on-one peer outreach and presentations at high schools.

Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Information and Referral Center

ARCW’s Information and Referral Center is Wisconsin’s leading source of information on HIV, STDs and Hepatitis C. Available through walk-in, over the telephone or on the Internet, the Center has up to the moment information about prevention, care and treatment, where to get tested and how to access health and social services for people testing positive. Please call the Center today for more information at 800-334-2437 or visit us at www.irc-wisconsin.org.