FAHASS

FAHASS began in 1989 as a support group for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and was incorporated on September 9, 1992. FAHASS’ mission is to help empower persons living with, and affected by, HIV/AIDS, by acting as their advocate and providing emotional, educational, and emergency financial assistance. Today, the agency’s range of services has grown to include an emphasis on access to medical care and management, focusing on treatment adherence, prevention, and retention. Consistent with its mission, FAHASS provides outpatient ambulatory medical care services by referral to private practices and at its own outreach clinic, medical case management, and access to medications. Clients are further supported through treatment adherence counseling, mental health services, health insurance assistance, and referrals for oral health, substance abuse treatment, and other specialty healthcare services. Support services provide assistance through housing, utilities, food, support groups, risk-reduction counseling, and transportation. Recently, the agency has emphasized the importance of connecting those lost-to-care and newly diagnosed to services throughout the region. FAHASS also provides prevention services to the greater Fredericksburg community, including free HIV testing and counseling, designed to reduce the transmission of HIV due to high-risk behaviors.