Our Services
WCHC offers a comprehensive range of consultative, diagnostic, and treatment options tailored to all stages of HIV, seamlessly integrated with comprehensive primary care and supportive services. This commitment underscores our dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals affected by HIV. Every patient living with HIV receives personalized care from a dedicated team consisting of a registered nurse and a social work care manager, both equipped with specialized HIV knowledge.
Services include:
- HIV Primary Care & Specialty Consultation: Dedicated medical care and expertise at every stage of HIV infection.
- Medical and Social Work Case Management: Personalized assistance and support to navigate healthcare and social service systems.
- Medication Adherence Support: Guidance and resources to ensure effective adherence to HIV medication regimens.
- Mental Health Services: Counseling and therapy to address mental health challenges associated with HIV.
- Psychiatric Assessment and Monitoring: Evaluation and ongoing care for individuals with mental health concerns.
- Substance Use Counseling: Support and strategies for managing substance use and addiction in the context of HIV care.
- Nutrition Consultation: Guidance and education on nutrition to support overall health and well-being.
- Dental Care: Specialized dental services tailored to the unique needs of individuals living with HIV.
- AIDS Drug Assistance Program Enrollment: Assistance with enrollment in programs to access affordable HIV medications.
- Health Education & Risk Reduction Counseling: Information and counseling to empower individuals to make informed choices and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
- Support Groups: Peer support and community connections to foster resilience and well-being.
- Integrative Health Services: Holistic approaches to health and wellness, including complementary therapies and alternative medicine.
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Comprehensive support for individuals at risk of HIV transmission, including access to preventive medication and counseling.
- Clinical Trials: Connection to Clinical Trials as requested through the Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally (ACTG)
Location and Hours of Operation
Our HIV/AIDS programs and services are available at our Sebastopol and Guerneville locations. Clinic hours are as follows:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
We’re here to provide comprehensive support and care for all your HIV/AIDS-related needs during these specified hours. Feel free to contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Our History
The AIDS epidemic left an indelible mark on communities worldwide, and West Sonoma County was no exception. Throughout the tumultuous 1980s and 1990s, the region grappled with profound challenges in addressing the needs of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Despite the pervasive stigma and fear surrounding the disease, the community in West Sonoma County united to provide unwavering support, compassionate care, and vital resources to those living with HIV/AIDS.
Local organizations, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens emerged as key players in this collective effort. Together, they tirelessly raised awareness, advocated for improved access to healthcare and treatments, and delivered empathetic care to individuals confronting HIV/AIDS. Their dedication helped dismantle stigma, bolster education and prevention initiatives, and enhance access to essential healthcare services for those affected by the virus.
Among these organizations, West County Health Centers (WCHC) has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive healthcare services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in West Sonoma County. In collaboration with community partners, WCHC continues its steadfast commitment to tackling the persistent challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, including combatting stigma, addressing disparities in healthcare access, and improving health outcomes. Through a continuum of programs and services, WCHC remains a steadfast source of hope, support, and healing for all individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS in the region.
WCHC supports patient participation in research or clinical trials when appropriate for HIV disease management or when patients have been enrolled in such a trial before their involvement with WCHC. For more information, please visit actgnetwork.org
Your Care
At WCHC, we prioritize a continuous and personalized approach to your care facilitated by your healthcare provider and Care Team. Our holistic model emphasizes each interaction as an opportunity to empower patients to manage their health while honoring their unique needs, cultural backgrounds, values, and preferences. Operating on a Care Team Model, our clinics ensure comprehensive support. Led by your primary care physician, an interdisciplinary team collaborates with you to plan your care, with case managers overseeing coordination across specialists, hospitals, and other resources as needed.
Join Our Community: New Patient Enrollment Information and Disclosures
For new patients seeking HIV care at WCHC, an initial meeting is arranged with their dedicated HIV nurse care manager. During this session, the care manager conducts an intake, reviews the patient’s health history, and makes any necessary referrals. It is also essential to schedule an appointment with our Access Coordinators to address insurance coverage, income verification, and residency requirements.
Furthermore, as a recipient of Ryan White funding, we are obligated to collect specific demographic, insurance, and income data from our HIV-positive patients annually. This information is crucial for ensuring continued eligibility for funding. It allows us to provide sliding-scale fees and annual caps on charges to qualifying patients, thus making HIV care more accessible and affordable for all.
Contact the Team
HIV Program Manager: Jennifer Zapp
Nurse Care Managers:
Russian River Health Center: Jona Jenkins, RN, Direct contact (707) 328-0572
Gravenstein Community Health Center: Rebekah McGuire, RN (707) 216-0391
Social Work Case Manager: Charley Kennedy, Direct contact (707) 326-1452
Access Coordinators: 707-823-3204
Russian River Health Center: John Seddon
Gravenstein Community Health Center: Jessica Lopez
Community Resources
Local programs and resources are accessible to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Please review the list below:
Face to Face
Address: 873 Second Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Service: Service: free and confidential testing, prevention education, harm reduction support.
Food for Thought
Address: 6550 Railroad Ave, Forestville, CA 95436
Website: www.fftfoodbank.org
Phone: (707) 887-1647
Services: Currently, they offer delivery and pre-bagged grocery pick-up at their site for clients Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Russian River Senior Center
Address: 15010 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, CA 95446
Website: westcountyservices.org/russian-river-senior-center
Phone: (707) 823-1640
Services: The Senior Center offers hot packaged meals for pickup to area seniors (60+) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Lunch is also offered several days a week.
Sebastopol Area Senior Center
Address: 167 N High St., Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website: www.sebastopolseniorcenter.org/lgbt-1
Phone: (707) 829-2440
Services: The Sebastopol Area Senior Center (SASC), located in West County, provides services and programs for LGBT+ seniors, particularly those who may be prone to isolation and loneliness. SASC offers fun and enriching activities that allow LGBT+ seniors and allies to engage with each other in a safe, welcoming environment. Our center is committed to creating an inclusive space where all seniors can connect, learn, and thrive together.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
Address: 3990 Brickway Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Website: www.getfood.refb.org
Phone: (707) 523-7900
Services: Providing dry goods and food supplies to those in need.