Education & Outreach

Through compelling teaching tools and compassionate care, Rain helps communities throughout Missouri greatly reduce or lessen the destructive impact of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis C and other life-threatening conditions.

Rain strategically delivers prevention education and early detection screening to at-risk audiences in multiple venues, from schools, parks, shelters, churches, clinics and homes. Education efforts focus on self-esteem, responsible choices and the realities of coping and living with STDs.

Free STD, HIV and Hepatitis C testing is available both at the Rain offices and through outreach events in the community. Pre- and post-test counseling, including prevention education, discussions of risk reduction methods, and referrals to needed services occur at each testing. Community members who choose not to be tested can still access information and referrals.

Our goal is to educate, inform and normalize messages of abstinence and the use of other risk reduction methods through programs including:

• Participation in community planning processes
• Using epidemiological and demographic data to develop pervention programs
• HIV pre- and post-test counseling, in conjunction with HIV testing, capacity building services and outcome monitoring
• Collaboration with school health programs and technical assistance to cooperating ageny staff