Mendocino County is a scenic wonder, attracting tourists from around the world to its spectacular coastline, towering redwoods, and designer wineries. Covering more than 3,500 square miles, Mendocino County (approximately the size of the state of Connecticut) is the 15th largest geographical area of California's 58 counties. The population, according to the census of 2000, of 86,265 is predominately white, with 69% living in unincorporated rural areas. Each year the county grows more diverse, with most increases in the Latino and Native American communities. The Coastal Mountain Range, a formidable geographic barrier, divides the coastal and inland regions. Unemployment routinely tops state averages, and over 15% of county residents live below the poverty level. Poverty conspires with climate and topography (Mendocino County has only 3% flat land!) to create an ideal setting for marijuana cultivation and methamphetamine production. These and other social factors make Mendocino County a high risk environment for sexually transmitted diseases and for alcohol and other drug abuse.
Community Planning
LIG Co-Chair: Tina Tyler-O'Shea (707) 472-2613
Mailing Address: use county health department address below
LHJ Services
Community Planning
Education & Prevention
HIV Youth Drop In Centers
HIV Counseling & Testing
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Services
Tuberculosis Control Programs
Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Branch
HIV Prevention Education Program
1120 South Dora St.
Ukiah, CA 95482 Tina Tyler-O'Shea (707) 472-2613 tyler@co.mendocino.ca.us
FAX: (707) 472-2658
Program Description:
The HIV Prevention Education Program contracts with local Community Based Organizations to provide prevention services through street outreach HIV antibody testing. The program focuses primarily on high risk people within the following groups: substance users and their sex partners; men having sex with men (of all ethnicities) including those who identify as gay or bisexual; Latinos/as, Native Americans, and youth and adolescents, including gay, bisexual and questioning youth. In addition, the program provides HIV education and prevention services to colleges, community groups, public and private junior and senior high schools, court community schools, drug and alcohol programs, jail and juvenile detention facilities, other human service programs and other locations when requested.
The HIV PEP also provides technical support to individuals and local organizations developing HIV education and prevention programs and services including grant writing assistance.
HIV PEP also participates in diverse community education programs.
Mendocino County AIDS Volunteer Network
PO Box 1350
Ukiah, CA 95482 Cyril C. Colonius
(707) 462-1974 cyril_mcavn@sbcglobal.net
FAX: (707) 462-2070
Program Description:
The Mendocino County AIDS Volunteer Network (MCAVN) runs the local needle exchange Program, providing outreach and prevention information to active users, their sex and needle sharing partners. Bilingual outreach workers and HIV testers and counselors are available. They provide outreach and community education county-wide to Latinos and Native Americans. The Mendocino County AIDS Volunteer Network (MCAVN) also provides financial and support services to HIV positive individuals and their loved ones throughout Mendocino County. Services include food and transportation vouchers, a food and clothing pantry, housing and alternative therapies assistance. Benefits counseling and a wide array of referrals are available. MCAVN works in tandem with Community Care HIV and AIDS Project, as well as the HIV medical component of the Mendocino Community Health Clinic.
Data Source
Information provided by Tina Tyler O’Shea for the California AIDS Clearinghouse. For changes, updates, additions, or deletions, please contact Ms O’Shea: tyler@co.mendocino.ca.us.
