APO Community Health Center

¡Solicite un seguro médico gratuito o de bajo costo a través de Medicaid de Missouri! Obtenga cobertura hoy para mantenerse saludable mañana. ¡Podemos ayudarle a solicitar GRATIS! Llame y hable con nuestro especialista en inscripción de Medicaid para programar una cita. 417.831.1900.

Hard to believe that we're just a couple of weeks away from this year's AIDS Walk presented by Gilead Sciences and we would love for you to join us for this annual event! You can also make your donation at www.givebutter.com/2024AIDSWalk . With your $25 or more donation, you will also receive this year's AIDS Walk t-shirt. A win for you and a win for client services that your donation helps!
Big thanks to all our sponsors in helping to underwrite AIDS Walk- Gilead Sciences- Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective-The GLO Center-Maxor National Pharmacy Services- Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance- Own Your Pride

No better time than now to register your team for the upcoming APO Open mini-golf pub crawl! You can do so by scanning the QR code or visit www.givebutter.com/2024APOpen.

October is a busy month for APO, but we need you to make it a successful month!
First on October 5th, it's the APO Open mini-golf pub crawl. We started this event last year and it was such a huge success, that we had to bring it back! All money raised goes towards AIDS Walk. For more information and/or to register your 4-person team, visit www.givebutter.com/2024APOpen or scan the QR code on the first graphic.

And speaking of AIDS Walk, the following Saturday, Oct. 12th, will be the 31st Annual AIDS Walk. Beginning and ending at Phelps Grove Park. You can visit www.givebutter.com/2024AIDSWalk for more information or to make your donation in advance. You can also scan the QR code on the second graphic.

Big shout out to our incredible sponsors in making these two events happen! Gilead Sciences as our Presenting Sponsor!
-Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective
- The GLO Center
- Maxor National Pharmacy Services
- Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance
-Own Your Pride

September is National Su***de Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to su***de, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by su***de. It’s also a time to raise awareness about su***de prevention and share messages of hope.
During September, and throughout the year, we can care about su***de prevention; connect to community, culture, data, and research; and collaborate with others to address this public health problem that has impacted millions of Americans.
Educate yourself and others about su***de prevention: Learn the warning signs and risk factors for su***de, how to support someone considering su***de, and familiarize yourself with the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

Visit the Su***de Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) where each year, the SPRC creates a resource full of ways to get involved in Su***de Prevention Awareness Month.

"Last Men Standing," the first feature-length documentary from The San Francisco Chronicle, was selected for entry into a series of prestigious film festivals in the U.S. and Canada. The film follows eight Bay Area men who had the remarkable luck to survive AIDS, and the brutal misfortune to live on."- San Francisco Chronicle

This coming Sunday, September 8th, APO in partnership with Moxie Cinema, the documentary "Last Men Standing" will be shown for one time only at 1 PM. This is a free showing but RSVP's are required due to limited number of seats. At the time of writing this, there are only about 25 seats remaining. Please contact APO between 9-5 at 417.881.1900 to make your reservation.

Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion with some of APO's long-term survivors and their personal journeys of navigating with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. You are welcome to be part of this powerful and impactful afternoon and we hope you join us.

As we've begun the transition from summer months to "ember" months, that means it's almost time for AIDS Walk! This year, we are thrilled that Gilead Sciences will be our presenting sponsor for this year's 31st Annual AIDS Walk! They have been a long time partner of ours and we are so grateful for their continued support.
This year's walk will be Saturday, Oct. 12th and we will begin and end at Phelps Grove Park. All the donations we receive go to client services which helps in providing services for our clients living with HIV. Services from as simple as a pantry basket of cleaning items, to medications. Every dollar donated impacts a life. Even in multiple ways.

To donate, please visit www.givebutter.com/2024AIDSWalk For every $25 given, you can also receive one of this year's AIDS Walk shirts with our pinky swear that we're in this together to stop HIV. Be sure to list the shirt size(s) you need when you make your donation.

In addition to Gilead being our presenting sponsor, we're also honored to have a number of businesses who have joined with us to be a community sponsors. Big thank you to:
Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective - The GLO Center - Maxor National Pharmacy Services - Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance - Own Your Pride

Apply for free or low-cost health insurance through Missouri Medicaid! Get covered today so you stay healthy tomorrow.
APO can help you apply for FREE! Call and speak with our Medicaid enrollment specialist to make an appointment. 417.831.1900

Registration is now open for this year's APO Open mini-golf pub crawl! We can't wait for this event and we hope you feel the same way! Get your team together now and pre-register now at www.givebutter.com/2024APOpen Early bird discount is available for those who pre-register.
Also, for those who prefer NA drinks, we are pleased to hear that all of our bars offer some sort of NA drinks. Everything from mocktails, to hop water to NA beers, there's something for everyone.

Big shout out also to our hole sponsors whose support goes a long ways in all of our proceeds going towards this year's AIDS Walk!
Thank you to Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, The GLO Center, Own Your Pride & Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance!

We’re excited to share some fantastic news: our very own Project and Compliance Director, Cecelia Havens, has been recognized as one of Springfield Business Journal's 2024 Most Influential Women! We couldn't agree more, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating this well-deserved honor.

Having Cecelia on our management team means one thing for sure—things get done around here! As a key player in our organization, she ensures we stay up to date on all compliance requirements as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC LAL). Managing compliance alone is a big job, but Cecelia doesn’t stop there. She also reviews and updates our policies annually, keeps our Board of Directors on track with their calendar, and serves as a valuable resource for our staff. Her commitment to excellence is evident in everything she does.

But Cecelia isn’t just about business. She brings a lighthearted energy to our office, making us laugh and helping to create a positive work environment. Cecelia is a strong asset to our agency, a dedicated advocate for our clients, and a friend to everyone she works with.

We’ve always known Cecelia’s influence, and now the whole community does too. Please join us in congratulating Cecelia on this incredible recognition. Thank you, Cecelia, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for APO. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you. Congratulations!

We still have a few seats available for this special showing of "Last Men Standing" on Sunday, September 8th at 1PM. It is free to attend but rsvp's are required due to a limited number of seats.
You can place your rsvp by calling APO at 417.881.1900

APO, in partnership with the Moxie Cinema, is hosting a showing of the documentary Last Men Standing. This film features stories of the lives of long-term survivors who have learned how to celebrate, heal, love, and thrive after the devastation of the early AIDS crisis.

Following the documentary, there will be a panel discussion, where long term survivors of HIV discuss their personal experiences. This is a free event and open to the public. RSVP is required.

Please join us at the Moxie Cinema on Sunday, September 8th at 1:00pm.
RSVP by calling 417-881-1900 as seats are limited.

It's that time of year again for the next APO Open mini-golf pub crawl, with all proceeds going towards this year's AIDS Walk! For more information or to register your team, scan either the QR code in the graphic or visit www.givebutter.com/2024APOpen

Big thanks to our "Back 9" bars for returning for another great event! 417 Taphouse
The Flea Springfield MO
Hold Fast Brewing
Inner Circle Springfield
J.O.B Public House
Martha's Vineyard
Mix Ultralounge
MudLounge Coffee & Cocktails
Shot Shack

This is one event you don't want to miss out on!

Free or low-cost health insurance through Missouri Medicaid puts health care within reach. When you're covered, you don’t have to choose between your health and taking care of yourself and/or your family. APO can help you apply for FREE.

Give us a call at 417.881.1900 and ask to speak to our Medicaid enrollment specialist.

APO, in partnership with the Moxie Cinema, is hosting a showing of the documentary Last Men Standing. This film features stories of the lives of long-term survivors who have learned how to celebrate, heal, love, and thrive after the devastation of the early AIDS crisis.

Following the documentary, there will be a panel discussion, where long term survivors of HIV discuss their personal experiences. This is a free event and open to the public. RSVP is required.

Please join us at the Moxie Cinema on Sunday, September 8th at 1:00pm.
RSVP by calling 417-881-1900 as seats are limited.

To all our clients who identify as LGBTQ+;
To all our staff who identify as LGBTQ+;
To all our friends, family and community members who identify as LGBTQ+, we see you, we hear you and we absolutely adore and love you! We celebrate you and have such pride for each and everyone of you!
APO loves you for exactly who you are. Period.

Happy Pride to each and everyone of you! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

It was 43 years ago today that the CDC first reported on five cases of a mysterious disease affecting younger gay men. That mysterious disease received it's name 15 months later, it being AIDS.
When the AIDS epidemic began, it began fast and only picked up speed with daily diagnosis's, daily illnesses, & daily funerals. To receive an AIDS diagnosis meant one thing. A death sentence had been handed down. Those early days there were no meds to be prescribed as the world had never seen anything like this. As a matter of fact, the first FDA approved drug, AZT, to treat AIDS, didn't come out till 1987. That's six years after those five cases came to light. It was in these days and years, that we practically lost a generation of men, women and children. The amount of lives that received an AIDS diagnosis, impacted families on a daily basis regardless of ones zip code. Whether it be New York City, Kokomo Indiana, Wichita Kansas, Pueblo Colorado, San Francisco or Springfield, Missouri, families were being impacted and beautiful lives were lost. No one was going to make it out alive once they received an AIDS diagnosis.

Yet some did.

Whether it was by prayers, miracles, timing or luck, those who made it thru those dark days with an AIDS diagnosis are our long-term survivors and how grateful we are to still have them in our lives, our community, our world!
Some live with a great loss of all their friends gone and some live with great guilt of "why was I lucky enough but not my friends?". Some even live in self-isolation & loneliness. But there are also many who live with a determination to not give in. By their determination, there are grandchildren who still have a grandpa. There are brothers who still have a sister. There are lovers who still have the touch of their partner. And there are best friends who haven't had to go to another funeral.

Singer Lee Ann Womack wrote a song called "I Hope You Dance". And some of the lyrics to her song are as such-

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance... I hope you dance..."

At APO today, we celebrate these men and women who continue to dance. From their smiles, to their friendships to some of the best damn huggers, how forever grateful we are to still have them in our lives. Not only do they make our lives here at APO better, they make all lives better because it's another day of getting to dance with them.

We have an opening on our case management team that you just may be a perfect fit for! Check out the job description and application thru the link below.

https://www.indeed.com/job/hiv-medical-case-manager-b14a22a0a267f2cb

**UPDATE AS OF 1:00 pm MAY 21ST**

Good news, bad news. Let's start with the bad news and we'll try to make this simple to understand...

Only going number 1 will be permitted in the APO restrooms for the time being.
Number 2 will only be permitted in the porta-potty that has arrived onsite at the APO main campus on Glenstone.

Now the good news.
Effective immediately, all labs and doctor appointments scheduled for this afternoon and the remainder of this week will take place in-person, but the rule for number 2 will apply as well.

Normal hours of walk-in testing services at the main campus, will resume Wednesday morning but rule for number 2 will apply as well. APO Downtown will return to their normal business hours for walk-in testing.

There is lots of digging going on in the APO parking lot, so please, please be careful and mindful of the plumbing staff that is working hard out in the parking lot in trying to get us back to fully functional.
Please follow the direction of traffic in the parking lot and no speeds over 5mph in the parking lot. We can't stress this enough.

Please keep checking back here for the most current and updated info. Also, if you feel so inclined to financially help APO in this most untimely 💩-y situation, we would gladly accept any and all monetary donations, as we're pretty sure our CFO is going to be beside herself when this plumbing bill arrives. All donations can be made at www.apo-ozarks.org

**Please take note of the following due to severe plumbing issues at the main campus of APO**

For Tuesday, May 21st:

If you are scheduled for labs in the AM, those have been canceled and our nursing staff will be in touch with you to reschedule.

If you are scheduled for a morning doctors appointment, your appointment will take place via Tele-med, not in-person.

If you are scheduled for labs and/or doctors appointment in the afternoon, we will reassess as the morning progresses to see if those appointments will or won't take place.

All Springfield case managers will be working remotely and not in at the main APO Campus. The outlying offices of case managers are open their regular business hours.

If you are needing to utilize our walk-in testing services, you can do so at APO Downtown, which is located at 303 Park Central West.

Please continue to check back here on the APO page for the most current and up to date info.

📷: by freepik

Due to significant plumbing issues at the main campus of APO, all client appointments, including lab appointments, for today Friday, May 17th and Monday, May 20th are cancelled. Our staff will be in touch with those who had appointments to assist in rescheduling.

APO Downtown will have extended hours to help accommodate our free walk-in testing services.

APO Pharmacy will continue to be open regular business hours.

We are sorry for the inconvenience but we will do our best to flush this problem out and get it behind us. 😉

Our bathrooms are currently down at our Glenstone location, so due to these unforeseen circumstances, our testing will be limited today BUT we are offering some additional hours at our downtown location to make up for it.

Glenstone will be offering RAPID TESTING ONLY (HIV & Hepatitis C).

APO Downtown (303 Park Central West) will have extended hours today only.
Full testing services from 9:00am - 11:15am, 1:00pm - 3:30pm, & 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Where compassion meets expertise, you'll find APO. We are a safe place for everyone and that includes our amazing staff. We are searching for a Licensed Practical Nurse who is passionate about meeting our clients where they are and providing excellent care and resources to the community.

Want to join our team on our mission to break down the boundaries of HIV care? Apply now at https://www.indeed.com/job/licensed-practical-nurseprevention-specialist-2124510eb1a7e3f8 .

Did you know that APO carries free Emergency Contraceptive kits? Thanks to Missouri Family Health Council, Inc. over 20,000 EC kits have been distributed. Emergency Contraceptive, when taken as directed, can lower the chance of becoming pregnant after unprotected s*x.

Look for the free EC bins in our lobby at our Glenstone or downtown location to pick up your free EC kit today.

APO is currently looking to fill a case management position and it might just be you that is a perfect fit for the role! Please click on the link below to take you to the job description, requirements & application for this position. To apply, it must be done thru the Indeed link no other means, including faxes, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

https://www.indeed.com/job/hiv-medical-case-manager-b14a22a0a267f2cb

This week, APO has lots of feels for the young boy who's name continues to assist APO and make a positive difference in the lives of our clients. Ryan White's enduring legacy resonates profoundly in the realm of public health and social justice. His courageous battle against HIV/AIDS not only shed light on the disease's devastating effects but also challenged societal stigma and discrimination. Through his resilience and advocacy, White became a symbol of hope and a catalyst for change, sparking conversations about healthcare access and compassionate support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. His memory lives on through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, established in 1990 as part of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.

APO was one of the first agencies in the country becoming a grantee of the CARE Act and we continue to be able to provide services to this day to many in our community who would go without health care as this landmark legislation has been instrumental in providing essential medical care, support services, and medication to underserved communities affected by HIV/AIDS, ensuring that White's legacy of compassion and empowerment endures in the ongoing fight against this epidemic.

What can I do if I live with an adult who uses drugs?

For some young people, spending more time at home can be unusually stressful. Did you know that about one out of every eight children in the United States age 17 or younger (about 8.7 million young people) live in households with at least one parent or caregiver who is coping with a substance use problem?

In some cases, the parent might be in recovery. In other cases, the family member may never have sought or received treatment. Living with a person who has a substance use disorder can be especially difficult for young people. Research shows that children in this type of environment are more likely to develop depression or anxiety in adolescence and to use alcohol or other drugs early on. These can become lifelong problems if the children (including teens) don’t get help and support.

If this is happening to you, it’s important to understand how it might be affecting you or other children in the home. If you’re afraid of the drama in the household, or of being physically hurt, there are some things you can do.
It’s important to remember that:
 Everybody reacts differently to pressure and worry; even people who love you can lose control of their behavior, especially when substance use is involved. However, there is never an excuse for abuse of any kind.
 Many adults outside your home are willing to help, even if you’re reluctant to talk about such a personal problem.

Plan for what you can do if things start to get difficult in the house.
1. Identify a place you’d feel safe to go while things cool off. It could be the backyard, outside on the porch, or in an apartment hallway. If you have a phone, keep it with you.
2. Is there another adult you trust who you can call? It could be a grandparent, an adult brother or sister, a coach, a teacher, or a faith advisor. Put their phone numbers in your phone now, just in case.
3. If you ever feel you or other family members are in physical danger, call 911. The most important thing is to protect yourself.
4. Another option is Alateen, a free program that offers support for children of parents who are addicted. Teens (ages 13 to 18) can register to participate in regular Alateen chats, where they can share their experiences and their hope, discuss difficulties, learn effective ways to cope with problems, and encourage one another.
5. You can use helplines to talk with people who are trained to help others in these situations. These services are free and confidential; you won’t have to give your full name or your contact information.

 Child help National Child Abuse Hotline: Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “talk with us” to 66746.
 Crisis Text Line: Text “connect” to 741741.
 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: 988. This isn’t only for people thinking about su***de. They’ll talk with you about all sorts of problems.

Many young people are having these experiences. Remember that it’s never your fault if a parent or caregiver has problems with alcohol or drugs. Addiction is a disease, and there are treatments that can help.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide.

What is the worst drug?

It’s only natural to want to know what’s best or worst, good or bad. That’s why we love these types of lists! But in the case of drugs and alcohol, there isn’t a “worst” just as there isn’t a “best” drug.

We don’t define drugs as most or least harmful. All drugs have the potential to produce negative health effects or lead to a dangerous situation in the short or long term. Whether a drug causes a serious health issue—like a life-threatening overdose—can depend on how much a person uses, how they consume it, and other factors.
However, some drugs are so potent that a life-threatening overdose can occur the first time a person uses them. For example, the synthetic opioid fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than he**in. Because fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as he**in, co***ne, methamphetamine, and M**A (Molly), fentanyl may be ingested unknowingly at unknown quantities, which can lead to overdose. Injecting potent drugs can be particularly dangerous because this route delivers the compounds more directly to the brain than ingesting or snorting drugs. Injection also carries the risks of injury and infection.

Similarly, some drugs are more frequently associated with addiction and dependence than others. For example, more than half of people who regularly use ci******es meet the criteria for a to***co use disorder, while only about 1 in 11 people who regularly use ma*****na (cannabis) meet the criteria for a cannabis use disorder. Certain drugs can have a stronger effect on the brain than others. Research has shown that methamphetamine, in particular, may damage cells and structures within the brain that can cause long-term problems with emotion and memory.

Certain physical or mental illnesses, as well as family health history, also influence someone's chances of developing an addiction or other negative health effects of drug use. Age is an especially important factor when calculating the risks of substance use.

Because the brain develops through a person’s mid-twenties, teens and young adults tend to be more vulnerable to negative health effects of many drugs. All of this means certain substances may pose different risks to different people in different situations.
Going by the numbers, determining the deadliest drug also depends on perspective.

In 2021, an estimated 106,699 people died from a drug overdose in the United States. The most common drugs associated with these fatal overdoses were synthetic opioids, including highly potent illicitly-made fentanyl.
However, the long-term health effects of cigarette smoking are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year. That’s about 1,300 deaths every day.
And alcohol is the substance most frequently involved in deadly car crashes. Nearly one person died every 52 minutes from drunk driving crashes in 2019.
To put it simply, what's the "worst" drug isn't an easy question to answer, and it’s important to understand the risks of any substance.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide.