Nine Circles seeks to support the highest quality of life, general health and sexual health of people living with HIV through the provision of excellent primary care and treatment. This includes primary care, HIV related treatment and care, on-going case management and linking of clients with resources both within and outside of Nine Circles.

Clinical Program

The Clinical Program Team provides comprehensive health care to the HIV infected and at-risk populations, develops and implements a health care plan with clients, and evaluates the success in meeting this plan. This team seeks to ensure the best possible outcomes that can be offered in disease management.

The Clinical Program team consists of:

• Physicians
• HIV Primary Care Nurses

Social Support Programs

The Social Support Program Team provides short-term and long-term social support that addresses the basic needs and emotional wellbeing of clients as part of an integrated model of care. Consisting of Mental Health Therapists, Client Advocate and Long-Term Support Coordinator, this team works with Persons Having AIDS (PHAs) to ensure that they are able to access all the appropriate services within Nine Circles and Manitoba. They also work to educate other service providers to ensure that they are aware of the needs of PHAs and to reduce the stigma of HIV.  

Mental Health Therapists

Therapists provide client counseling, mental health support and therapy through one-on-one individual, couple and family therapy, as well as group support sessions. The therapy focuses on enabling clients to develop and achieve their own goals of personal and relational wellness. The therapists work to improve clients’ emotional, physical and spiritual well-being as well as to increase individuals’ ability to practice effective coping and problem-solving skills. The effectiveness of the program is measured through clients’ self-assessment of their perception of their own emotional and physical wellbeing.

Client Advocate

The Client Advocate orientates and connects potential and current clients to Nine Circle’s services and those available from other service providers.The Client Advocate completes an assessment of a given client’s needs, provides information, encourages harm reduction strategies and then connects the client to services, including those offered by the Long-Term Support Coordinator. The Client Advocate offers troubleshooting support for difficult issues that confront clients. In addition, the Client Advocate advocates with and/or on clients’ behalf and negotiates with external organizations, such as:

• EIA (welfare)
• Child and Family Services
• Legal Aid
• The Residential Tenancies Branch
• Other governmental agencies
• Landlords, employers and educational institutions

Long-Term Support Coordinator

The Long-Term Support Coordinator conducts initial and on-going assessments of referred clients’ needs and, based on clients’ self-identified issues/goals, works with clients to establish long-term care plans. Similar to the Client Advocate, the Long-Term Support Coordinator shares information, supports harm reduction practices and makes referrals to various services both within and outside of Nine Circles. The Long-Term Support Coordinator also brainstorms ideas with clients to address issues with which they are faced. In addition, the Long-Term Support Coordinator advocates with and/or on clients’ behalf and negotiates with external organizations.