ABSTRACT
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) organizations typically serve as education facilities, testing sites, counseling facilities, information and resource centers, sources of financial aid, referral services, and legal aid services. Local health departments, community-based AIDS service organizations, and local gay and lesbian community centers are excellent sources for identifying means of AIDS information dissemination. The National AIDS Information Clearinghouse maintains an online database for AIDS resource organizations, which can be accessed through its reference staff. AIDS service organizations continue to emerge at the local level to meet community needs such as HIV testing, counseling, education, outreach, treatment, housing, referral, and long term care. More comprehensive directories exist detailing community services such as those produced by primary AIDS service facilities. Some national organizations such as the American Red Cross or the National Association of People With AIDS have branch offices in each state or in local communities, as do hospice organizations and government health departments.
