ASO Intake?

[tsw923]

Ok,

I think most of yall have done this, but on Friday I am supposed to talk to someone in the MD Health Department ( I guess ASO?) and do intake over the phone.  I realize this shouldn't be panicing me, but for some reason it is.  What should I expect in this process?  What should I be trying to get out of it?  What can I realistically expect since I am working? Should I even do this 'intake' if I am working? 

Thanks for your help,

Ty

[Seven]

HUH, WHAT?

Please explain to us Canadian folks in ENGLISH...what you mean

[Miss Philicia]

tsw923:  I think these things have a tendency to work differently in each state.  As a resident of Pennsylvania I can't really tell you what to expect at the Maryland Dept. of Health.  Generally it's been my experience that an ASO (AIDS Service Organization) is separate from a state agency, but I'm only going by where I live now and my experience in New York State for 12 years.

I'm not sure why there is any need to panic.  Who told you to go to this place?  Didn't they give you any information what the appointment would entail?

[allopathicholistic]

tsw: Did you receive a letter from them or something? If so, this earlier thread might be helpful, or not  http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=6885.0

[poet]

I am also lost.  An A.S.O. is usually not the Department of Health in a state.  Have you looked up the Dept. of Health online to see why they are doing whatever they are doing on Friday?  Win

[aztecan]

Hey Ty,

 

As Win said, normally an AIDS Service Organization (ASO) is seperate from the state health department.

This may be their way of trying to find out who your contacts were if you are recently infected. Otherwise, I'm in the dark.

Edited to add: While first contact with an ASO may be done via telephone, enrollment usually requires an actual face-to-face meeting because many forms need to be signed, rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures and privacy policies explained, advanced directives discussed, etc.

For the record, this is the type of thing I wouldn't discuss at work unless I had a private office where others couldn't overhear.

HUGS,

Mark

[tsw923]

Thanks everyone for the info. 
Let me try to clarify.  I got the number from my doctor.  He gave me a number and the woman's name so I assumed it was an ASO here in the area.  When I called she was unavailable so I left a message.  When she called back she informed me that she was with the MD Dept of Health and gave me the 'AIDS Hotline' number.  She offered to transfer me, but I declined as I was at work.  Tomorrow is my work from home day so I can talk to whomever over the phone without fear of being overheard.   I have yet to actually get a letter in the mail from the HD.  As for names and numbers.... I already contacted my ex.  The other guys were from different states YEARS ago and I couldn't find numbers if you paid me.  Most of them I've blocked out the memories of so much I can only remember first names    Not really sure what they can do with that....

I'll let yall know what's up tomorrow.

Ty

[Blixer]

Ty,

It's been over a year since my diagnosis and I've never received any contact from the Health Department in Missouri.  I was told that "it would happen."  But I'm thinking if they are over a year backlogged then there is a major issue.  My experience with the ASOs here in Missouri has been anything but helpful.  I was told that my income level was too high to qualify for any services.  When I asked about a case-worker for referral services I was told that I really didn't need to do that either.  I asked about support groups and the process for gaining access to any support group was so complicated I just gave up.  I pretty much have been on my own to garner all of my own resources and information and support since my diagnosis.  Hopefully you will ultimately have better luck.  Like you, I took care of notifying anyone in my recent past and any of the others I had no contact information for.

Good luck and I'll look forward to hearing the outcome of your conversation.