#mobileunits

 Bridging Access to Care (formerly known as Brooklyn AIDS Task Force), is the oldest and largest nonprofit HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment service organization in Brooklyn, providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS- related services to underserved racial /ethnic minority communities in the borough.  Over the past few years BAC has expanded its scope of service to include licensed mental health and substance abuse clinics and, in 2012, we were designated as a Health Home Care coordination team.  The team will be working with high need individuals in Brooklyn who experience difficulty coordinating their significant health care needs.  

With over sixty well qualified staff who have a wide range of experience, the BAC staff mirror the ethnic and minority communities we serve; 90% of our line staff are African American, Caribbean American or Latino, as well as 68% of our senior staff, and 70% of our board of directors! Our senior administrative staff have been with BAC for an average of 12 years.

In brief BAC provides services to approximately 3,500 individuals each year as follows:

  • Comprehensive Case Management Services including housing placement assistance, treatment education and adherence services.

  • Education Programs specifically targeted at the high risk populations of: adolescents, women, children, families, substance abusers, ex-offenders/incarcerated individuals, and MSM and other members of the LGBT community.

  • Community Outreach including Health Fairs, Mobile Van services for Rapid HIV Testing, STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Screenings, and Syringe Distribution.

  • Housing Services includng scattered site apartment rentals, housing support services, and referrals.

  • Comprehensive Mental Health Services in our New York State Office of Mental Health licensed outpatient clinic.

  • Substance Abuse Treatment Services in our New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services licensed outpatient clinic.

  • HIV Primary Medical Services offers on-site infectious disease physician who provides primary care to HIV positive individuals as well as Buprenorphine screening, prescription and training to intravenous drug users (IDUs).

  • Health Home Care Coordination Services including linkages to primary care physicians, behavioral health care agencies, and housing providers.

Outreach/Mobile Van Services

BAC outreach staff conducts outreach activities that actively engage high-risk and HIV positive individuals on the MOBILE UNIT and in traditional settings. Activities include health education/risk reduction information, HIV testing & counseling, syringe distribution and disposal (ESAP), agency promotion, consumer recruitment and referrals for additional prevention care. BAC provides community outreach through health fairs and workshops, and health screens on the mobile unit.

Mobile Unit:

The Mobile Unit is stationed in several Brooklyn communities such as Bedford Stuyvesant, Bushwick, East New York, and Williamsburg. The unit provides a package of services that includes:

STI Screens

Mental Health and Substance Abuse screenings

HIV Testing & Counseling

Syringe Distribution & Disposal (ESAP)

Referral & Linkage to primary medical care and other services.