©2024 by Sub-Saharan African Youth and Family Services in Minnesota
OUR PROGRAMS
Advancing our agenda.
EIS HIV- Prevention
Main Objectives
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Increase access to culturally responsive HIV testing services for Black women at increased risk for HIV.
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Promote early identification of HIV infection through routine and targeted HIV screening.
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Provide confidential, client-centered HIV counseling to reduce HIV transmission and improve health outcomes.
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Increase HIV awareness and knowledge through community education and outreach.
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Improve timely referral and linkage to HIV medical care and supportive services for individuals who test positive.
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Reduce HIV-related stigma and barriers to testing, prevention, and treatment within Black communities.
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Increase access to HIV prevention resources and safer sex supplies.
Program Activities
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Provide free, confidential HIV testing in community settings and at outreach events.
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Offer pre-test information and post-test counseling.
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Conduct individualized HIV risk assessments and risk reduction counseling.
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Deliver HIV prevention education through workshops, health fairs, support groups, and community presentations.
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Refer individuals who test positive to HIV medical care within recommended timeframes.
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Conduct follow-up contacts to confirm successful linkage to care and address barriers to accessing services.
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Participate in community outreach events targeting Black women, including churches, beauty salons, community centers, colleges, and neighborhood events.
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Educate participants on: HIV transmission and prevention, Safer sex practices PrEP awareness
Get technical assistance to access Paid Leave benefit by contacting SAYFSM at:
Telephone: (651) 644-3983
E-mail: info@sayfsm.org
Paid Leave Public Outreach
Sub-Saharan African Youth and Family Services in Minnesota is implementing a grant from the State of Minnesota, through its Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), to increase awareness and utilization of Minnesota’s Paid Leave program among African immigrant communities.
The program focuses on raising awareness through culturally tailored education sessions delivered in community settings, along with translated materials. It also provides technical assistance by offering individualized support through drop-in hours, phone assistance, in-person guidance, and interpretation services in multiple languages.
Learn more about Minnesota Paid Leave benefits visit: http://info.paidleave.mn.gov/
Commercial Tobacco Equity Project
SAYFSM supports African-born communities by promoting access to culturally and linguistically appropriate education and counseling aimed at reducing commercial tobacco disparities.
Mental Health Counseling
SAYFSM provides mental health counseling for individuals living with or affected by HIV. Services are offered by a licensed psychologist both at the SAYFSM office and during support group meetings.
Medical and Non-Medical Case Management
SAYFSM provides comprehensive, culturally appropriate case management to meet the long-term needs of African immigrants and refugees living with HIV/AIDS.
Medical Case Managers conduct individualized assessments and care plans, helping clients access medical services, manage treatment, and address needs such as housing, transportation, employment, education, legal assistance, and insurance
Psychosocial Support Group
SAYFSM facilitates culturally appropriate support groups for African immigrants and refugees living with HIV/AIDS. Facilitators create safe, empowering environments that promote health education, self-care, and emotional wellbeing.
Participants learn strategies to reduce risk of transmission and superinfection, maintain treatment adherence, and safely disclose their HIV status.
Medical Transportation
SAYFSM provides transportation support to ensure clients can access healthcare, pharmacies, and support groups without interruption.
Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI)
With the Minnesota Department of Health Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative, SAYFSM is working to improve the health of the African-born communities in Minnesota through the following:
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Recruiting and training people living with HIV/AIDS to share their experiences at education outreach sites to reduce the stigma of HIV/STIs
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Increasing knowledge of HIV/STIs through provision of face-to face education, and through social media and radio/TV.
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Developing, designing, and distributing flyers and brochures in multiple languages promoting benefits of early screening testing for HIV and other STIs
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Training and supporting faith and community leaders to provide health awareness to their communities through the development of culturally appropriate community and faith leaders training curriculum.
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Increasing awareness and acceptance of HIV/STIs in the community through education sessions presented by volunteer health professionals within faith communities.
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Promoting safe sex practices and reducing the incidence of infection by distributing condoms
Women’s Self-Sufficiency Program — “Under One Roof”
This program empowers African immigrant and refugee women through skills training and health education. Participants learn sewing, quilting, fiber spinning, and weaving, while also receiving health education on different health topics.
The program helps women build confidence, independence, and overall wellbeing.