Monroe County, Indiana

CURRENT PREVENTION SERVICES 

HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention 

The Monroe County Health Department (MCHD) Harm Reduction Community Health Specialist offers free and confidential referrals and safer use supplies during Syringe Service Program mobile outreach hours, or by appointment. These services are in addition to the Syringe Service Program outreach offered by the IRA staff and volunteers during their regular business hours. 

All injection related supplies provided are available for distribution in order to reduce opportunities for the spread of bloodborne illnesses such as HIV, HCV and HBV as well as soft tissue damage, infection, endocarditis and other injection related harms. 

Providing an opportunity for testing for HIV and HCV allows individuals to more quickly receive treatment to manage or cure the disease. 

HIV & Hepatitis C testing

Harm Reduction staff will provide limited HIV/hep C rapid antibody testing alongside DIS staff who provide chlamydia/gonorrhea testing on the following days/locations in 2023:

1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month

• Shalom Community Center
  • 11 am - 1 pm
  • 620 S. Walnut Street

2nd Monday of the month at a rotating site

• Wheeler Mission (January, April, July, October)
  • 4-6 pm 
  • 215 S. Westplex Ave. 
  • HIV/HCV testing ONLY
• Crawford I (February, May, August, November)
  • 4-6 pm 
  • 2440 S. Henderson St.

In offsite locations or at the office, MCHD staff use rapid HIV and HCV antibody tests that process in less than 30 minutes. That means that you will have a result the same day that you come in for a test. 

Testing during Syringe Service Program outreach is not currently offered. If you would like testing, please come to one of the outreach sites, or contact Harm Reduction Program staff for an in-office visit.

REFERRALS:

HIV Treatment/case management

If you have been diagnosed with HIV and are in need of medication and/or other support services, please contact IU Health Positive Link. They are able to assist with medication, case management, and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) the HIV prevention medication.

Hepatitis C Treatment 

If you have already been diagnosed with Hep C and are seeking treatment, care coordination is available. In the past few years there have been a number of restrictions lifted for access to treatment, including no longer requiring a minimum liver fibrosis score, as seen on this Indiana State of Medicaid Access Report Card. There are now also a number of care coordinators throughout the state to assist in connecting to a treatment provider. Locally, if interested in Hep C treatment and care coordination, ask your primary care doctor or contact Kristen Patterson Hep C & PrEP Navigator for IU Health Positive Link at kpatterson5@iuhealth.org or 812-235-2548. You may also seek services through Bloomington HealthNet (formerly Volunteers in Medicine). 

COVID-19 related changes to services

TESTING

Due to COVID-19, testing for HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) is available by appointment or during limited offsite outreach until further notice. Please contact Harm Reduction staff for more information or to make an appointment. 

SSP OUTREACH

Mobile services will be provided via window service only until further notice. 

Please note: Due to supply chain challenges there may be limited supplies during your visit. We apologize for any inconvenience.

This page was updated/reviewed 12/27/22

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