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For more information, you can send an e-mail to HPS Training Collective at bfchps@gmail.com

HIV Prevention Services

(510) 644-0425

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ABOUT THE HPS
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The HIV Prevention Services Collective (HPS) of the Berkeley Free Clinic offers anonymous rapid HIV testing. All our services at the Berkeley Free Clinic are free.

Anonymous HIV testing means that we do not collect identifying information. No one will know that you had an HIV test here. This also means that we will not be able to give you a copy of your result to take away with you. We only offer anonymous HIV testing.

Rapid HIV testing means that you will be able to get your HIV test result 40 minutes after your blood sample is drawn. This screening test looks for anything that resembles HIV antibodies; in other words, it is a higly sensitive test. There are two possible results for the HIV rapid test: non-reactive and reactive.

A Non-reactive result means that the test did not detect any HIV antibodies at this time. You may need to retest if you've had any risk within the HIV window period.

A Reactive (preliminary positive) result means that we need to perform a confirmatory test before a diagnosis of HIV can be established. We will automatically run this second test on reactive results and you will be able to receive a confirmed result in one week.

We offer HIV testing for Women only (Men are welcome to come as support for their partner/friends, but they cannot get an HIV test on a Saturday). You do not need to make an appointment, just drop-in between noon-2pm.

This service is offered on a drop-in basis only for all clients on Sunday evening. Sign-in starts as early as 4:00 p.m., but we don’t start seeing clients until 4:30pm. Doors remain open until 7:00, which means that if you sign-in for services by 7 p.m., we will test you that evening.

For more information, please call us at 1-800-6-CLINIC and select "HIV Prevention Services."

Since 1989, the Gay Men's Health Collective (GMHC) of the Berkeley Free Clinic has hosted an Anonymous Test Site (ATS) in collaboration with the Pacific Center and the City of Berkeley. In September 1996, the HPS officially took on sole responsibility for administrating the ATS contract. We think we are the best test site in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each Sunday, with an average of 6 volunteer test counselors and waiting room educators, we provide client-centered HIV prevention education and referrals to approximately 50 clients. The HPS has limited street outreach services as well. Volunteers from the HPS and GMHC have also provided free HIV and STD testing and counseling at Berkeley's Steam Works since 1988. On World AIDS Day on December 1, 2000, the HPS provided 12 hours of HIV testing to nearly 50 clients. Other volunteer sections also provide some HIV/STD prevention education and referrals in addition to their primary areas of expertise. The Gay Men's Health Collective offers a Men's STD testing and treatment clinic on Sunday nights alongside the HPS Anonymous Test Site. The Information Resource Collective provides information and referrals seven days a week by phone or during afternoon drop-in hours. The Medical Section offers a primary care medical clinic each weeknight with services provided entirely by lay community health workers trained at the clinic.

The HIV Prevention Services Section (HPS) is not currently accepting application. Please check our volunteer section for information about other sections, or for more information about the All Clinic Orientation meetings.