We have designed a broad array of programs to meet our long-term desired impact of reducing the effect of HIV in Vermont. By preventing new infections, caring for those infected, and working with the community for social change regarding HIV/AIDS, our programs strive to meet the needs of people at risk of HIV, living with HIV/AIDS, or who do not know whether they have HIV or not.

Our prevention and education work is nationally recognized as innovative and award-winning for rural communities, and has been cited by the National Conference of Mayors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Rural Center for AIDS Prevention. Prevention is described on this website under Learn About HIV/AIDS, Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS and Get Tested. Programs include education, outreach, school and community presentations, risk reduction counseling, syringe exchange, and free rapid HIV testing.

This work reaches thousands of people each year, and is demonstrated to slow the rate of new HIV infections in our state. As the state's largest and most experienced HIV testing and HIV education provider, we are grateful that so many Vermonters work with us to stay healthy.

Our services work is also award-winning, receiving accolades from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocacy groups. Providing holistic care to 150 people with HIV/AIDS annually, with a focus on those most in need, has allowed CARES to hone in on the programs that have the strongest results for health and wellbeing. For more information check out our "Stay Healthy" page!

Services for people with HIV/AIDS in Vermont begin with basic human needs and radiate from those needs. First and foremost, we focus our limited resources on medication, medical care, transportation to medical appointments, housing, nutrition and food, paying bills if medical costs outstrip income, and referrals to substance abuse and mental health counseling. Additional community generosity has allowed us to improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS; for instance, through donated personal care products, household goods, and pantry items.

A common thread of all of this work is a belief that all people deserve fair and humane treatment and equal access to honest health education and treatment. By working with policy makers, and crafting legislation with state and national government, we consistently advocate for social change to improve care and prevention for HIV and general health.

Our Get to Know program, designed to reduce HIV-related stigma, is the activist and community version of this social change. By sharing candid information and personifying HIV/AIDS, our program seeks to eliminate the myths, misconceptions, and stigmas that make our work necessary and unique.