Our Programs
Sunburst Projects is here to help those living with HIV/AIDS access medical care and social services, receive mental health counseling and support, help youth infected and affected by HIV, and provide HIV education and prevention. Take a look at the programs we offer and call our office if you or someone you know needs our help. Call (916) 440-0889 or email us at admin@sunburstprojects.org.
Eligibility Requirement for HIV Services
Eligibility for enrollment for any HIV Service at Sunburst Projects must be verified at the initial intake appointment. These services include Medical Case Management, Non-Medical Case Management, Mental Health Services including Support Groups, Transportation Assistance, Food Voucher Assistance, ADAP Services, 340B Pharmacy Services, Childcare Payment Assistance, Emergency Financial Assistance and all HOPWA Services (Rent, Mortgage and Utility Payments) must meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Proof of HIV-positive Status
At the first certification, clients must provide proof of HIV-positive status. This must consist of at least one of the following:
- HIV positive lab results (antibody test, qualitative HIV detection test, or detectable viral load). Lab results with undetectable viral loads that do not indicate a positive HIV diagnosis will not be accepted during initial enrollment as proof of positive HIV diagnosis.
- Letter from the client’s physician or licensed health care provider. Acceptable letters of diagnosis must be on the physician’s or health care provider’s letterhead with the National Provider Identifier (NPI) number or California license number, and the physician’s or a licensed health care provider’s signature verifying the client’s HIV status.
- California Department of Public Health Diagnosis Form (CDPH Form 8440) completed and signed by the client’s physician or licensed health care provider. Any diagnosis form that contains pertinent information is also allowed.
2. Proof of Residence
Individuals eligible for HIV services at Sunburst Projects must reside in Sacramento County. Acceptable residency verification consists of the client’s name and address on one of the following:
• Current utility bill
• Current rental or lease agreement
• Official documents, such as a voter registration card, MediCal beneficiary letter, recent school records, property tax receipt, unemployment document, etc.
• California driver’s license or California Identity Card
• Letter from a shelter, social service agency, or clinic verifying individuals’ identity, length of residency, and location designated as their residence. The letter must be on letterhead and signed by a staff person affiliated with the service agency or clinic
• If no other methods of verification are possible, letter, form, or affidavit is signed and dated by the client that indicates they are homeless with no connection to any other service provider. In this situation, a referral to assist the client in securing shelter or housing should be a priority.
*Mental Health Services may be provided to residents of El Dorado, Placer and Yolo Counties if no HIV Mental Health Services are available. Please call Sunburst Projects Main Line at 916-440-0889 for more information.
3. Income
Clients must provide documentation of all forms of income and meet the income requirements. Currently, HSC § 120960 defines income eligibility as clients with modified adjusted gross income which does not exceed 500 percent of the federal poverty level per year based on family size and household income. Acceptable income verification includes one of the following:
• One pay stub from within the last 6 months
• 1040 Form or W-2 from the previous year
• Signed and dated letter from a source of earned income, including the client’s name, rate, and frequency of pay
• One bank statement showing income from applicable source(s) (i.e. through direct deposit)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) letter, or dated screenshots of client benefit program
• Document confirming other government assistance (e.g., Medi-Cal military/veteran pension benefits, unemployment benefits, child support payments)
• Investment statement showing interest earned
• Letter of support signed and dated by an individual providing financial and other living support (food, clothing, and/or shelter) to the client
• If no other methods of verification are possible, a letter, form, or affidavit signed and dated by the client that indicates zero income or attests to earned income not otherwise confirmed by the above.
4. Proof of Insurance Status
Clients seeking any HIV services from Sunburst Project’s must provide documentation of their health insurance status. Acceptable verification includes one of the following:
• Copy of current insurance card, including Medi-Cal Beneficiary Identification
• Card (BIC), if applicable
• Dated screenshots of the insurance status verification using an official insurance screening system
• Denial letter from Medi-Cal
• Tax statement documenting no insurance, per ACA requirements
• Statement signed and dated indicating not covered by insurance. If employed by an employer who doesn’t offer employer-sponsored health insurance, the statement must include the reason the employer does not provide insurance.
*If you do not have insurance, Sunburst Projects case managers can assist you in obtaining health insurance.
Self-Referral
If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements for HIV services at Sunburst Projects and wish to self-report, please call the main line at 916-440-0889 to schedule an intake appointment with a case manager
Provider Referrals
If you are a provider at another organization and wish to refer a client to Sunburst Projects for HIV Services, please download the ROI/Referral form, complete the form, and have the client sign the ROI statement before faxing the form to 916-440-1208. Please include the latest copy of the clients labs, if applicable.
Referral PDF File:
Sunburst Projects General ROI & Referral Form For Outside Organizations
Medical Case Management
Medical Case Management encompasses a wide range of services that focus on improving clients’ health outcomes. Our central goal is to promote and support clients’ engagement in medical care; to do so, case managers address clients’ psychosocial needs, reduce barriers to care, and conduct activities including:
Healthcare coordination and access. Case managers help with scheduling and coordinating various medical appointments, coordinating transportation to medical appointments, facilitating use of translators for non-English speaking clients, and accompanying clients to appointments, if they wish, to serve as an advocate.
Treatment adherence counseling. The purpose of treatment adherence counseling is to ensure that clients are ready for and adhere to HIV treatment. This includes monitoring regularly scheduled lab work, assisting clients in developing treatment adherence strategies, and participation in the 340B Pharmacy Program.
Benefits counseling. Staff assist clients in accessing public and private programs for which they are eligible, such as Medi-Cal, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP), Disability Insurance, Social Security, pharmaceutical manufacturers’ patient assistance programs, Covered California, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and other health and social services.
340b Pharmacy Program
The 340B Pharmacy Program is a federal drug pricing program that provides outpatient drugs to entities such as Sunburst at significantly reduced prices. Our pharmacy program allows for direct and confidential mailing of medication to the client’s home, automatic refills, and access to Sunburst Project’s professionally trained pharmacy manager regarding any concerns and questions about medications.
Mental Health Services
Sunburst Projects has a long history of providing mental health support to diverse clientele. Using an integrated care approach, we offer professional counseling, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and family therapy, and secondarily offer ongoing support groups. Services are provided in English and Spanish to individuals, couples, children and adolescents.
The following supports are offered to current Sunburst Project’s Clients:
Black Men’s Group
A support group for black men living with HIV.
Together We’ve Got This
A group for addiction, mental health, living with HIV, and BINGO every first Tuesday of the month.
Nosotros
Un grupo de apoyo para la comunidad Hispania que vive con VIH.
(A support group for the Hispanic community that is living with HIV.)
Freedom From Smoking
A 7-week (8-class) course designed to help you quit nicotine use.
DBT Group
Develop skills of distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.
Women’s Group
A support group for all women living with HIV.
Social Support Services
Our staff assists clients in accessing public and private programs for which they are eligible, such as Medi-Cal, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP), Disability Insurance, Social Security, pharmaceutical manufacturers’ patient assistance programs, Covered California, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and other health and social services.
Our Social support services also include:
- Rent and utilities assistance
- Food vouchers
- Transportation vouchers
- Prescription eyewear
- Prescription drug assistance
- Clothing Closet
- Essential needs assistance
Childcare Services:
Our childcare services assist HIV positive families with dependent children to attend medical appointments, deal with medical emergencies, attend support groups, mental health appointments and help parents when a health issue incapacitates family functioning. We provide monthly childcare vouchers that enable families to utilize a childcare provider of their choice, up to a set number of hours.
Youth Programs
Camp Sunburst
Camp Sunburst is at the very heart of Sunburst Projects and has served youth living with HIV/AIDS since 1988. At Camp Sunburst, children and adolescents are supported and encouraged by a fantastic team of caring volunteers, many of whom were campers themselves when they were young. Sunburst’s approach relies on individual and community participation which ultimately prepares and empowers youth and teens to become effective community leaders. Youth learn that they have the potential to change negative social patterns of behavior and break cycles of HIV infection.
Our residential summer camp includes outdoor activities, ropes courses, swimming, art, dance, and sports. The Teen Leadership Program also provides specialized program elements that address issues around medication adherence, disclosure, sexual and reproductive health, stigma, stress reduction, and life skills.
Camp Sunburst takes place every summer through the generous support of the Taylor Family Foundation. The Taylor Family Foundation’s mission is to preserve the wellness and enhance the quality of life for children in Northern, CA with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, disabilities and youth at-risk through unique therapeutic experiences and support.
AIDS Drug Assistant Program
At Sunburst Projects we know that getting access to HIV medications is the single most important thing that keeps our clients healthy and thriving. As a certified ADAP enrollment site, we offer anyone who qualifies for the program assistance with enrollment, yearly re-enrollment and yearly re-certifications for the ADAP program. Michael Jentes, our certified ADAP Enrollment worker, offers hassle-free appointments with no waiting. Michael can also arrange for transportation to our office. Call (916) 440-0889, or email michael@sunburstprojects.org today.
Education and Prevention
Sunburst Projects is working to establish an HIV testing program within our office. This program will include peer navigators and community education and outreach. Our free “Lunch and Learns” are held periodically within the community throughout the year and provide information on PrEP, sexual health, HIV prevention, testing, and HIV treatment therapies.
For free walk-in, confidential, HIV testing and low cost STD testing visit Sunburst Clinic.