How YAP Keeps You Safe: COVID-19

(Last updated: January 8th, 2024)

Overall Response:
The safety and health of our clients, community, and staff are central to our response to COVID-19. As a result, YAP staff have moved to a hybrid remote/in-person work model. Walk-in services may not be available at all times. Education groups have resumed, and we are making our best efforts to include a virtual option for these sessions.

If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms or have tested positive for COVID, we ask that you do not come in person to the YAP office. We are enthusiastic to work with you in alternative ways! Please reach out to the YAP team member you are meeting with, and we can figure out a different way to support you. 
If you have tested positive, we ask that you don't come into the office for 10 full days, day 0 is the day you tested positive or developed symptoms (whichever was first). 

YAP is responsive to the changing COVID-19 landscape. Given the significant increase in COVID-19 observed in wastewater, as well as an increase in other respiratory infections in the Twin Cities Metro, YAP is requiring masks to be worn in the YAP office. Masks are available to all clients for both YAP office use, and for PPE use in the community. If you require additional assistance or precautions, contact YAP staff prior to your appointment.

If you have a known exposure to COVID-19, we ask that you wear a mask when you are in the YAP office or meeting with a YAP staff member for 10 days following your last close contact. Please test on day 6 (day 0 is the last time you had close contact). If someone in your household has COVID-19, please wear a mask. If you prefer not to wear a mask, you are welcome to switch to a virtual appointment.

Thank you for your help in keeping our community safer!

Screening Questions:

All clients and staff will be required to review the screening questions below 

Regardless of vaccination status, have you experienced any of the symptoms listed here in the past 48 hours?
(Answer yes, even if you believe the symptom[s] is because of another medical condition, such as allergies)

• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body aches
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

If you answered yes to any of these questions, do not enter the YAP office (even with a mask) until these symptoms have been improved for more than 48 hours.

Suspected or Positive Cases:

YAP staff will not meet in-person anyone who has a current (or suspected) COVID-19 diagnosis until a negative test (or recovery) has been verified. Referral to testing and treatment (as well as standard YAP services) are available remotely during this time. If you require assistance to meet virtually, please contact YAP to make accommodations- YAP has limited funds available to provide assistance with the costs of the required technology of meeting remotely.

Also, staff who have symptoms or positive diagnosis will not be in the the office until they have a confirmed negative test.

Cleaning Procedure:

YAP has enacted enhanced cleaning and sanitizing practices throughout YAP offices,  as recommended by public health guidelines, including:

• Hand sanitizer dispensers located in multiple locations in the office
• Client and staff meeting areas cleaned after each use (and between meetings)
• Doorknobs, desks, and high-touch areas cleaned at least twice daily
• Cleaning supplies available for individual use as desired
• Increased measures to provide fresh air and air filtration

​COVID-19 FAQs
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Additional Resources:

We remain committed to providing as many essential services as possible. Please contact your case worker by phone or email if you need assistance. If you need immediate intervention, please refer to the below list of resources:

• If you have general inquiries for the Youth and AIDS Projects, please call Val Crutcher at 651-231-4849.
• If you need an HIV test (or are experiencing symptoms of HIV), please contact Oceane Lune via phone or text at 612-699-1079. We can deliver take-home HIV tests without contact as needed. 
• If you need a COVID-19 test, reach out to your caseworker or medical provider directly.
• If you are in a medical emergency, please call 911.
• If you need immediate emotional support, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 
• If you would like more information on COVID-19, please refer to the Minnesota Department of Health's COVID website.

In addition to the sources listed above, the Minnesota Department of Health has assembled this list of resources for people living with HIV in regard to COVID-19:

• COVID-19 Information for Persons Living with HIV in Minnesota
  MATEC (Midwest AIDS Training & Education Center- Minnesota and Iowa site) has developed a resource for people living with HIV that addresses COVID-19 related health concerns. It includes advice from the CDC and other reputable sources on how to reduce the risk of acquisition and more severe complications of the virus. It also has suggestions from local HIV doctors and nurses in Minnesota, and Minnesota-specific information (such as local AIDS Service Organizations) is also linked in this resource. It will be updated frequently, so please continue to use the link to access the most up-to-date information.
• Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions
  Information from HRSA with FAQs for Ryan White program recipients, subrecipients, and stakeholders.
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  Information from the Minnesota Department of Health about COVID-19. Materials and resources section includes translated educational materials in the following languages:
  • Chinese
  • Hmong
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese

We recognize that the response to COVID-19 is evolving rapidly, and we will monitor and respond to changes as they occur. All updates to YAP's response will be posted here.