Panhandle Health District

                                                              8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Date:     January 19, 2011                       

Contact:                                                                        Released by: Lora Whalen, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

PHD Helps Homeless with Flu Shots and HIV Tests

The Panhandle Health District will join dozens of organizations, businesses and volunteers January 27 to provide free and necessary services to homeless people in the area.

              PHD will provide flu shots and HIV testing at Project Homeless Connect, an annual gathering at the Idaho National Guard Armory organized by the Region 1 Coalition for the Homeless.

              Homeless Connect will offer help with medical care, job searches, transportation, food, veterinarian services, hair cuts, bicycle maintenance, showers, veterans’ services, pet food, laundry, blankets and sleeping bags and community resources. It will include a spaghetti lunch.

              The Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer group coordinated through PHD, will administer flu shots, take people’s vitals and medical histories, work in the dental clinic and help throughout the event.

              PHD registered nurses will provide Rapid HIV tests. The tests require a simple stick in the finger and provide results in about 15 minutes. People who test positive will be given a second blood test on site to confirm. Counseling and referrals also will be available.

              Project Homeless Connect will offer free services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Idaho National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls. For information, call Robert Shoeman, 457-8789, ext. 3993.