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.

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.