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 Living with HIV 

Mid-Iowa Community Action's Living with HIV program was instituted in 2000.  Since it's inception, the program has grown to serve families in Central Iowa.  

Our HIV case manager assists in:

  • Locating HIV testing as well as an infectious disease specialist
  • Finding resources for medical and prescription coverage
  • Giving referrals to substance abuse and mental health programs
  • Finding other community resources to help meet emergency needs as they arise

The Living with HIV program, in some circumstances, also help individuals with living expenses and gasoline vouchers. 

Our program is based in Mid-Iowa Community Action's Story County office in the lower level of the Story County Human Services Building, 126 S. Kellogg, Ames.  For more information, contact Janelle Durlin at (515) 956-3312 or by email at janelle@micaonline.org.
 HIV Testing Centers 

Do you suspect you have contracted HIV? The Centers for Disease Control reports that one out of every four people living with HIV are not aware they have the virus.

Anyone who is sexually active, an injecting drug user, or a survivor of rape, is encouraged to be tested for HIV. At many locations testing is free and confidential. Your first HIV test will give you a "base-line" reading, and will help you determine whether or not you have become infected with the virus. If you continue to be sexually active or share drug needles, testing is recommended at least every six months.  Frequent testing will help you determine when you became infected with the virus. If you have a partner living with HIV and you are negative, frequent testing is recommended.

If you have tested negative for HIV and are continuing risky behaviors, you may want to test again three months later to determine if the first reading was accurate or a "false-negative."  A false-negative means you have been infected with the virus, but the virus levels in your blood were undetectable at the time of testing. 

Find a testing center in your area.

Below are several providers of HIV testing.

Iowa State University
Thielen Student Health Center
2260 Union Dr. (corner of Sheldon Ave. & Union Dr.)
Ames, Iowa 50011
515-294-5801

Testing is free and confidential, and is available on Wednesday & Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Testing is available to ISU students.  Walk-ins are welcome.

AIDS Project of Central Iowa
711 E. 2nd St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-284-0245

VA Central Iowa Health Care System
3600 30th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
515-699-5999
1-800-827-1000

Central Iowa Family Planning
704 May St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-752-7159
Testing fees are based on a sliding-fee scale.

See the links below to find a testing site in your area.
Iowa Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Program Counseling, Testing& Referral Sites
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/disease_prevention_immunization/CTRSites.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Testing Resource Site
http://www.hivtest.org/subindex.cfm?FuseAction=search

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Testing Resource Site Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.hivtest.org/subindex.cfm?FuseAction=faq#tested (Frequently asked questions ~HIV)

    Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc.
    1001 South 18th Avenue
    Marshalltown, IA 50158
    Phone: 641-752-7162