The road ahead looks rough. Trump’s impending presidency threatens the wellbeing of our neighbors, friends, and family. Accordingly, the results of the 2016 election have put people into crisis mode. It’s scary to imagine what the rise of fascism in America means for access to affordable healthcare. People’s lives are at stake, and undoubtedly it will be the marginalized communities throughout the country who suffer the most.
Above all, we salute those engaged in the hard work of keeping our communities healthy. The individuals comprising networks of support in Louisiana are already fighting an uphill battle and their dedication is inspiring.
BIRTH CONTROL
The following list of birth control options serves as a mini resource guide to compare and contrast which option might best suit individual needs. We want our readers to be mindful that factors such as age, smoking, medication intake, health status, etc. can alter effectiveness or increase the possible presence of side effects when using birth control.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
IUDs are tiny pieces of plastic, with or without hormones or bits of copper, inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. They last 3 to 5 years and are over 99% effective for preventing pregnancy. They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Nexplanon (Implant)
The Nexplanon is a small rod that goes beneath the skin on your upper arm and prevents pregnancy and regulates hormones. It has to be replaced every 3 years. The implant does not protect against STIs.
The Pill, the Patch, the Ring
These are birth control methods made of the hormones estrogen and progestin. They are like hormones made by a woman’s body. They keep you from getting pregnant in two ways: they keep eggs from leaving the ovaries, and they make cervical mucus thicker. This keeps sperm from getting to the eggs. They do not protect against STIs. For every 100 women who use the pill, patch, or ring perfectly for a year, only one will get pregnant. Women who don’t use the pill, patch, or ring perfectly don’t get the best results. This includes women who forget to take the pill every day, or change their patch every week, or change their ring every month. About nine out of 100 will get pregnant in a year.
The Shot—DMPA
The shot is made of the hormone progestin. It is like the hormone made by a woman’s body. This hormone keeps you from getting pregnant. It keeps eggs from leaving the ovaries. It makes cervical mucus thicker. This keeps sperm from getting to the eggs. For every 100 women who get each shot on time for a year, only one will get pregnant. For every 100 women who do not always get the shot on time, about six will get pregnant. There’s nothing you have to do before sex to make the shot work. The shot does not protect against STIs.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is also known as emergency birth control, backup birth control or the morning-after pill. EC should be used as soon as possible up to five days after unprotected sex. There are two types of EC:
- Copper IUC
The copper intrauterine contraceptive is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic containing copper that is put into the uterus. The Copper IUC can also be used for continued birth control. - EC Pills
One type of EC pill is made of ulipristal acetate (UPA). Another type of EC pill is made of one of the hormones made by a woman’s body— progestin (Progestin EC). Neither option protects against STIs. You can buy over-the-counter emergency contraception at some local pharmacies (it is up to the pharmacist’s discretion) and at Planned Parenthood (where these options are generally cheaper than the pharmacy) without an appointment. Given our changing political climate, we recommend stocking up—for you and your friends.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE ONLINE RESOURCES
neworleansabortionfund.org
NOAF provides financial assistance for abortion, as well as other resources.
bedsider.org
Bedsider is an online birth control support network for women 18 to 29, operated by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Plannedparenthood.org
Planned Parenthood is one of the most popular reproductive health providers in the United States and delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.
scarleteen.com
Inclusive, comprehensive, supportive sexuality and relationship info for teens and emerging adults. Scarleteen just published their own resource guide, Rebel Well: A Starter Survival Guide To A Trumped America, available as a free PDF on their website.
lajudicialbypass.wordpress.com
Under Louisiana Law, if you are pregnant and under the age of 18, you cannot obtain an abortion without the permission of a parent or legal guardian. If your circumstances mean that you cannot obtain this consent, you may still be able to receive abortion services by going through the judicial bypass process. A judicial bypass means that a judge grants permission for you to receive abortion services. The judge’s permission takes the place of your parent or guardian’s permission.
LOCAL CLINICS, HEALTHCARE CENTERS, AND FREE HIV/STI TESTING
The following facilities are staples in our community that humanely serve all, regardless of income, gender, origin, language, sexual orientation, or health status.
New Orleans has some of the highest HIV / AIDS and STI rates in the nation. To reduce your risk of HIV infection, we encourage you to use condoms, and use them correctly. Know your status, get tested often. Condoms can help with most but not all STIs. Ifyou are especially at-risk of HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention option for people who don’t have HIV. It’s a daily pill that is hella expensive, but there are grants from pharmaceutical companies and other private monetary support out there for you, and it costs less to prevent one HIV infection than the lifetime healthcare costs of living with the infection. Contact your doctor, and if they aren’t particularly knowledgeable, reach out to the PreP clinic at CrescentCare, or We PrEP Together at St. Thomas Clinic.
Planned Parenthood
504-897-9200
4636 S. Claiborne Ave. 70125
STI testing and treatment, birth control, emergency contraception, cancer screening, problem visits. PP can see all genders, takes Medicaid and most insurances, as well as offering a self-pay discount.
Luke’s House
504-444-7879
lukeshouseclinic.org
2023 Simon Bolivar Ave. 70113
Luke’s House Clinic is open every Tuesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and every Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Medical and mental healthcare is provided by volunteer nurses, psychiatrists, and physicians from the LSU Health Services Center Department of Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Program. As of 2015, they were totally free of charge, accessible to the undocumented, and had Spanish language services.
Ruth U. Fertel Tulane Community Health Center
504-609-3500
rftchc.org
711 N. Broad St. 70119
Did you just get out of prison and need health care? The FIT (Formerly Incarcerated Transitions) Clinic at Ruth U. Fertel offers primary healthcare, behavioral health, and other services at an affordable sliding scale.
New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic
504-412-1366
neworleansmusiciansclinic.org
3700 St. Charles Ave. 2nd Floor 70115
Professional musicians, artists, and those working in the production end (studio engineers, employees of music clubs, etc.) are eligible for the following medical services through the LSU medical system: health assessments, primary care, including OB/GYN and social services information and referrals.
Women with a Vision
504-301-0428
wwav-no.org
1001 S. Broad St. Ste 2016 70125
Not a clinic, but great resources, health education, and advocacy for marginalized women. WWAV operates from an intersectional, harm-reduction philosophy.
Women’s Health Care Center
504-899-6010
womenshealthcarecenter.com
2701 General Pershing St. 70115
Offers surgical and medical abortion.
LSU/CrescentCare Health and Wellness
504-207-2273
crescentcarehealth.org
3308 Tulane Ave. 70119
CrescentCare offers STI testing and treatment, PrEP, hormone therapy and transgender health, and offers sliding scale services.
St. Thomas Community Health Center
504-529-5558
stthomaschc.org
1936 Magazine St. 70130
1020 St. Andrews St. 70130
2405 Jackson Ave. 70113
3943 St. Bernard Ave. 70122
PrEP/PEP and low-cost primary care services.
Health Care for the Homeless
504-658-2585
2222 Simon Bolivar Ave. 70113
Health Care for the Homeless is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) providing primary healthcare services to adults in the city of New Orleans and surrounding parishes, regardless of ability to pay for services. They also offer dental services to adults and children.
HIV/AIDS TREATMENT & INFO
If you are living with HIV, don’t be ashamed, we love love love you. Find friends and supporters for your journey and talk openly with them. Be smart about who you are open to, and do not talk to cops. The State has HIV-specific laws that could cause you trouble for not disclosing your status or not knowing your status. Get legal advice, connect with the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network in Lafayette (laanweb.org), the Advocacy Coordinator at the Philadelphia Center in Shreveport (philadelphiacenter.org) and the SERO Project (seroproject.com), and know the law. Learn about our Louisiana hero in this work: Mr. Robert Suttle, who was criminally charged for not having disclosed his HIV status to his then-partner when they first met. Jailed for six months, registered as a sex offender, and facing public exposure, the experience changed his life, and he is now an HIV/AIDS advocate who fights bias and discrimination. Get tested often so if you test positive, you can get into treatment immediately. When you’re on HIV drugs, your viral load can be so low you’re less likely to share HIV with others in your home, relationships, and communities. Keep your loved ones healthy!
HIV Prevention Mobsters
504-283-7376
St. John #5 is a faith-based organization that has a dynamic HIV Program in New Orleans. The program has been in existence since 1996 and primarily conducts HIV prevention.
Delgado Personal Health Center
504-658-2540
517 N. Rampart St.
Low cost or free STI screening and treatment.
NO/AIDS Task Force (d.b.a. CrescentCare)
NO/AIDS offers a full spectrum of care at low-to-no cost, including services such as: HIV medical clinic, food pantry, home-delivered meals, housing, mental health, peer support, PrEP clinic (pre-exposure prophylaxis), etc. Various locations citywide:
Main Office: 504-821-2601
2601 Tulane Ave. Suite 500 LA 70119
CAN Office (Marigny): 504-945-4000
507 Frenchmen St. 70116
The Movement Office (Esplanade Ridge):
504-267-4288
2601 Esplanade Ave.
(Young Black men and Black LGBTQ centered. Servicios en español disponible.)
HIV Outpatient Program (HOP) Clinic
504-826-2179
nolahealthlink.com/hop
2235 Poydras St. 70119
Services for patients with HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases. Partner testing only at this facility. Must bring test results for information on eligibility for services.
Tulane T-Cell Clinic
504-609-3582
711 N Broad St. 70119
HIV Clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Ruth E. Fertel / Tulane University Community Health Center.
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
504-821-4611
chnola.org
4640 S. Carrollton Ave. Suite 130 70119
Family advocacy, care, and education services. Ryan White Part D Services: pediatric HIV primary care, perinatal HIV prevention, mental health, health education, client drop-in center with childcare, and more for families with or affected by HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
ODYSSEY HOUSE LOUISIANA
504-821-9211
ohlinc.org
1125 N. Tonti 70119
Housing, treatment, and healthcare for those living with or affected by HIV/ AIDS, including the HOPWA program (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS).
PROJECT LAZARUS
504-949-3609
projectlazarus.net
Housing and support services to individuals with HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS ONLINE RESOURCES
criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/transmitting-std-louisiana.htm
This link provides answers to HIV / AIDS as it relates to current Louisiana criminal law.
hivlawandpolicy.org/states/louisiana
This high-quality legal and policy page is accessible from the resource bank of The Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP), a national legal and policy resource and strategy center working to reduce the impact of HIV and to secure the human rights of people affected by HIV.
hiv411.org
1-800-992-4379
Louisiana HIV & STI state website.
MATERNAL, CHILD HEALTH & BREASTFEEDING RESOURCES
Nurse Family Partnership
504-568-5926
1450 Poydras St. Ste. 1245 70113
Offers free home health nurse visits and consultations to low income pregnant first time mothers.
Healthy Start New Orleans
504-658-2600
facebook.com/HealthyStartNewOrleans
1616 Caffin Ave. 70117
Education and social services, Medicaid enrollment.
Birthmark Doula Collective
504-457-8332
birthmarkdoulas.com
Offers birth and postpartum doula support, childbirth education classes, and placenta encapsulation services. Sliding scale and payment plans available for families that qualify.
Nurse Nikki Family & Maternity Services
504-535-4913
nursenikkinola.com
Provides prenatal and postpartum wellness visits, family CPR training, lactation counseling, and corporate wellness consultations.
Sista Midwife Productions
sistamidwife.com
Offers birth coach and montrice services, doula certification, maternal health webinars, and hosts free breastfeeding support circles for Mothers of Color.
Full Moon Rising Birth Services
504-577-1165
facebook.com/FullMoonRisingBirthingServices
Provides birth companion services, placenta encapsulation, belly casting, and birth tub rentals.
LA Breast & Cervical Health Program
1-888-599-1073
lbchp.org
Offers no-cost mammograms and pap smears for LA Women who qualify.
CRISIS RESPONSE
Metropolitan Crisis Response Team
504-826-2675
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes
Jefferson Parish Mobile Crisis Team
504-832-5123
After hours, nights, and weekends.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-Talk (8255)
COMMUNITY COUNSELING AGENCIES
Children’s Bureau of New Orleans
504-525-2366
childrens-bureau.com
2626 Canal St # 201 70119
The Children’s Bureau works with children at minimum 5 years old, but has in the past worked with children younger depending on the circumstances.
Family Service of Greater New Orleans
504-822-0800
fsgno.org
2515 Canal St. 70119
Sliding scale beginning at $25. Lower cost on a case-by-case basis. If at any point in your life you have been a victim of a crime, or a secondary victim, you are eligible for sessions at no financial cost. A secondary victim is, for example, someone who saw abuse in the home, was a witness to a crime, or was affected by someone else’s traumatic event.
Jewish Family Service
504-831-8475
jfsneworleans.org
3330 W. Esplanade Ave. (Metairie) 70002
Provides all community members mental health counseling. Sliding scale.
Kingsley House
504-299-0671
kingsleyhouse.org
1600 Constance St. 70130
Provides counseling to children and adults.
National Alliance for Mental Illness
Uptown Drop-In Center: 504-896-2345
1538 Louisiana Ave. 70115
Westbank Drop-In Center: 504-368-1944
2051 8th St. (Harvey) 70058
NAMI New Orleans offers behavioral health services for adults living with mental illness, including individual and family counseling, supportive housing services, crisis management, drop in center, rehab, and skills training.
The individual therapists listed below have been identified by community members as having an understanding of gender and historical oppression. If individuals are not listed below it may be because they are currently at capacity and not currently accepting referrals.
Dr. Bobby Kizer, PhD
504-390-5782
www.bobbykizer.com
Therapist aware of the gender dynamic, focus on unconscious behavior, family, and LGBTQ community.
Terry Mayers, LCSW
504-524-5973
Private practice for 30 years, self-identified gay social worker with a diverse clientele. Accepts most insurance companies and has sliding scale fees.
Robert Fox, LCSW, BACS
313-908-6702
Brief therapy/solution focused treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Insight oriented/ Psychodynamic therapy, specializes in substance abuse.
Debra Voelker, Social Work
504-782-7137
Over 20 years experience in the New Orleans area with expertise in trauma.
Ramon Zelaya, LPC, LAC, LPP, CCGC
504-507-1008 x1
Specializes in substance abuse and gambling addiction, among other specialties.
DRUG-RELATED RESOURCES
People who inject drugs have been taking care of each other and operating in underground communities of mutual aid and direct action for a long time. At risk of HIV and viral hepatitis infection, soft tissue wounds, and opiate overdose, these folks are most vulnerable to the impacts of low investment in public health services and high priority spending on the Department of Justice and the War on Drugs. Some ways they take care of themselves and one another is through distribution of sterile drug consumption equipment (crack pipes, mouthpieces, snorting straws, or sterile syringes), the spread of information (this is more potent than usual, this has bad cut), and overdose prevention/ reversal trainings. Syringe service programs mostly operate on the down low. So keep it chill.
New Orleans Harm Reduction Network (Trystero)
504-535-4766
nolaharmreduction.tumblr.com
Mobile unit serving the New Orleans area. Hours: any, by appointment. After-hours mobile access to sterile equipment for injection drug users, overdose prevention, and harm reduction trainings. The tumblr has detailed information about acquiring naloxone on the “What’s Overdose Prevention?” page, as well as other resources. Contact them for an extended list of treatment facilities or suboxone doctors. No cost, donations appreciated. se habla español.
New Orleans Syringe Access Program
504-945-4000 ext. 211
507 Frenchmen St. 70116
NOSAP offers safe sterile syringes, safe injection materials, and authorized syringe disposal. NOSAP provides Hepatitis C and HIV rapid testing and linkage to treatment, Medicaid and insurance enrollment information. No cost, donations appreciated. Walk-in only Fridays 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Refuge Recovery
4210 St. Claude Ave.
facebook.com/rrnola
Weekly peer-led meetings include guided meditation, reading from the book Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction, and group sharing and discussion. Refuge Recovery is a nontheistic approach that is welcoming to folks from all backgrounds. Meetings are open to anyone in recovery, or interested in recovery from any forms of addictive behavior. No meditation experience necessary. Sundays 7 to 8 p.m.
Autonomous Zone
A harm reduction-based support group for folks thinking of moderating or quitting their substance of choice or folks who identify as abstinent, party animals, weekend warriors, etc. A non- 12 step for anyone that wants to talk about their own drug use behaviors. Closed group for folks on the substance use spectrum. Allies are welcome only with a friend. Scheduled using a secret FB group, text Trystereo (504-535- 4766) to be added.
Family Drug-Related Support Group
WRBH Building, 2nd Floor
3606 Magazine St. 70115
facebook.com/familysupport2016
Peer-support, education, resources, and hope for families dealing with drug use, addiction, and recovery. They are a safe place for members to share their experiences, ask questions, learn about drug use and addiction. Tuesdays at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous
504-838-3399
aaneworleans.org
Faith-based 12-step program that dominates treatment in the United States.
DETOX & RECOVERY
Metropolitan Human Services District
504-568-3130
www.mhsdla.org
One of ten districts across Louisiana, MHSD was created by the state legislature in 2003 to oversee the delivery of publicly-funded, community-based services that address mental health and addictive disorders for residents in Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. You do not need to know what services you want: MHSD assesses need and identifies appropriate services and supports.
Odyssey House
504-324-3710
ohlinc.org
732 N. Claiborne Ave. 70116
Contracted with MHSD to provide free to low cost detoxification and rehabilitation. Long-term residential program for adults (with children OK), includes job skill training, healthcare and aftercare. Daycare available. Admissions for detox are at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Ochsner Addictive Behavior Treatment Program
504-842-3999
Medically supervised detoxification, recovery program combines intensive cognitive/behavioral therapy with an emphasis on 12 Step recovery. Located at Ochsner’s Jefferson Highway hospital. By appointment.
Townsend
townsendla.com
1-888-275-5075
Medically supervised detoxification and individualized treatment that addresses the genetic components of addiction. Intensive outpatient that accepts insurance and creates financing plans. Locations in Metairie (near East Jefferson Hospital) and Uptown (near Touro Hospital).
Behavioral Health Group (BHG)
Eastbank: 504-524-7205
417 South Johnson St. 70119
Westbank: 504-347-1120
1141 Whitney Ave. Building 4
(Gretna) 70056
Self-payment for medication-assisted treatment (daily dispensing) and counseling. Offers detoxification from methadone only.
Bridge House (men)
Grace House (women)
Intake: 504-821-7120
bridgehouse.org
Residential short and long term recovery (no detoxification offered). Payment by sliding scale.
Navigators Christian Fellowship
504-362-0200
navigatorsnola.com
A faith-based recovery program that partners Delta Medical Clinic with Navigators Christian Fellowship. Most affordable provider of suboxoneassisted treatment but church meeting attendance required.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
New Orleans Mission
504-523-2116
1130 O.C. Haley Blvd. 70113
Ozanam Inn (men only)
504-523-1184
843 Camp St. 70130
Salvation Army
504-899-4569
4500 S. Claiborne Ave. 70125
Covenant House (Youth 16-21 yrs.)
504-584-1111
611 N Rampart St. 70112
Hagar’s House
504-210-5064
hagarshousenola.org
Long term transitional housing and 24 hour emergency shelter for women with children (male children must be 8 or younger) and single women (transgender inclusive) who are 18 or older, not currently using drugs or alcohol (sober for 30 days or longer), and able to live in a shared community with others. Programs include art and yoga, ESL, capacity building partnership empowerment model.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE & SEXUAL ASSAULT
Metropolitan Center for Women and Children
24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 504-837-5400
mcwcgno.org
Domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking.
St. Bernard Battered Women’s Program
St. Bernard Parish 24-hour crisis line:
504-277-3177
Plaquemines Parish 24-hour crisis line:
504-275-6336
stbernardbwp.com
New Orleans Family Justice Center
504-592-4005
24 hour crisis line: 504-866-9554
nofjc.org
All therapists provide trauma informed care. Counseling services at no financial cost to individuals who are victims/survivors of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence.
Children’s Hospital’s Audrey Hepburn CARE center
504-896-9237
chnola.org/CAREcenter
Treatment and forensic exams for minors.
This resource guide was produced with assistance from Kate Bucko; Jamilla H. Webb, BSN, RN; Coleen Murphy; and Nora Maria Fuller.