The Southern Tier AIDS program (STAP) has been providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS services to the Southern Tier of New York for over 35 years, among other services. All of STAP’s services are available to clients in Cortland County. STAP recently joined forces with Family and Children’s Counseling and CACTC, as part of Healing Cortland, to host two Narcan Pop-Up Events in Cortland to distribute Narcan kits to those in need.

Beth Pittman, a Prevention Navigator at the Ithaca location, shared some of her experiences and insight working for STAP. We had a conversation about the ways that people who use drugs are often judged and treated poorly by many systems and individuals. It was exciting to hear more about STAP:

“I love the people I work with. A lot of them are folks that are stigmatized, marginalized, and coming from a traumatic background. We work with them on a human level. We aren’t concerned about policies or barriers but just getting to know them on that human level, person to person.”

“We build relationships; they trust us and we get to know them. We help them find ways that they can take care of themselves, and we often teach them some of the safer ways that they can live.”

“I love my job, our clients are amazing to work with. They’re generous, loving, caring, brilliant, creative, and incredible. Qualities like these are often missed or overlooked because people can’t see past that they use drugs. It is hard for people to see these folks for who they are when it’s been said over and over that these people are junkies or addicts. They are not junkies, they are just people who use drugs. At STAP we view ourselves as lucky to work with these folks.”

We asked Beth, “What would you say to someone that is hesitant to seek STAP’s services?”

She responded: “Every service is confidential. We can’t confirm or deny anything, even if a person is standing right in front of us we can’t confirm or deny that we have seen them. We try to encourage folks to maintain confidentiality. Even if they enroll in the program, we don’t use or take names. We use nicknames, but again everything is confidential.”

“We don’t tell clients they have to go to treatment– we don’t tell them what they need to do at all. We simply want to know what they need from us to get through the day. We do not tell people what they need to do with their lives.”

Often, people who use drugs or are in recovery are dealing with a lot of other barriers, too. Many don’t feel safe or cared for by the systems that are supposed to help them. Often, policies and protocols take precedence over human-level needs. STAP is focused on meeting each individual where they are at, treating and valuing them on a human level, and assuring they feel safe.

“A lot of folks have been in the system for a long time, and they don’t feel safe trying to get some of the help they need. They work so hard to make progress, and often feel like they may not be getting anywhere so they give up. Some of them are homeless not because they want to be, but because it is overwhelming to jump through all the hoops they’re being asked to. We help them get around some of that struggle- or try to help them with that the best that we can.”

“We have a great space, a big house. The syringe exchange site is around the back. Folks come and hangout, and say that they feel safe.”

Here is a picture of STAP’s Ithaca location, located on 314 West State St., Ithaca. STAP has a variety of amazing services. Below is a comprehensive  list of STAP’s services:

Syringe Exchange

A syringe exchange is a community-based program that provides access to sterile needles and syringes, facilitates safe disposal of used syringes, and provides a range of public health services, including referral to substance use disorder treatment programs, prevention education, testing and counseling for sexually transmitted infections, HIV and HepC. The goal of a needle exchange is to play a role in reducing the transmission of the HIV virus and other blood-borne infections associated with drug injections.

STAP’s syringe services range from anonymous syringe exchange to confidential navigation and care coordination services for young Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs).

They have three syringe exchange locations:

314 West State St. Ithaca NY 14850. Hours- Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 12-5pm.

277 Main St. Johnson City NY 13790. Hours- Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 12-5pm.

19 Eaton Ave. Norwich NY 13815. Hours- Tuesday 10:30-3pm.

There’re a few ways to get supplies if you can’t get down to one of their offices. You can call and find out if there’s a Peer near you. Peers are STAP volunteers that can hand out supplies in the community. Some can come to you and some can meet you near where you live. Another way, especially if you live way far from a physical location, is to give STAP a call and make an appointment for a special arrangement. They can deliver supplies to you. For a delivery of harm reduction and safer injection supplies (including Naloxone kits), contact (607) 227-8159 to schedule a delivery.

Health Hub

The Health Hub, located in Ithaca and Johnson City, provides an array of appropriate health, mental health and medication assisted treatment services for people who use drugs.

Testing

STAP offers fast, free and confidential HIV, Hep C, STI testing at many locations throughout the Southern Tier.

HIV/AIDS Support Services

Have you recently found out you were living with HIV/AIDS? Or perhaps you are trying to learn how to be more independent in managing your medications, appointments, or other medical conditions? Either way, STAP has services that are tailored to where you are in both life and health.

Ryan White Case Management

Ryan White case management services are available to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who do not have Medicaid. This program provides comprehensive care coordination and navigation/referral services.

Housing Opportunities for People with HIV/AIDS & Supportive Housing Services for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)

STAP operates two housing programs for PLWHA in the Southern Tier. Both programs offer a rental subsidy, as well as single-event financial assistance, to qualifying clients with limited incomes.

Treatment Adherence Services

Treatment Adherence services are available to all PLWHA who are interested in additional education about HIV. The staff members in this initiative provide individualized education about a variety of HIV and related topics.

Health Homes (Medicaid) Care Management

These services are available to Medicaid beneficiaries with qualifying chronic illnesses. Adults who have HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hypertension, mental health diagnoses, asthma, Hepatitis C, and a variety of other chronic conditions may be eligible for these services. Please note a diagnoses of HIV/AIDS is not required for this program.

Health Homes Supportive Housing Pilot

This pilot utilizes grant funds, realized by Medicaid Redesign Savings, to provide supportive housing services.

The great news is that STAP serves clients in Cortland County and encourages Cortland residents to take advantage of their services. Staff from their Ithaca location come to Cortland County once a week to serve clients.

To reach someone at their Ithaca location call (607) 272-4098 or for more information, visit their website. Also, you can stop by a future Cortland County Narcan Pop Up Event (when STAP is present) to interact with someone face to face.