Debra Lyn McCarthy
At the age of 28, Debra Lyn McCarthy was so emotionally overwhelmed by the affects of HIV and AIDS on family, friends and even people she met only briefly, that she was determined to dedicate the rest of her life to educating individuals and communities to prevent HIV and AIDS.
Now, more than 20 years later, she continues to keep that promise as an HIV Prevention Counselor and Educator for Solano County Substance Abuse Services. Each week she schedules 90-minute presentations packed with information about preventing HIV and AIDS, the differences between the two, dealing with either if you have it or if someone you know does, and the treatments available.
She also discusses and emphasizes the importance of testing. Debra has received letters of recognition for this work from the Community and the County Board of Supervisors.
Her outreach counseling has taken her as far as Russia and the Ukraine, where she plans to return for additional seminars in 2008.
RELEVANT SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Educator/Liaison
Provides HIV & AIDS education and prevention for Solano County Health and
Social Services, Substance Abuse Division and Public Health Bureau
Conducts in-service presentations to staff to provide HIV and AIDS education
and prevention
Selected to serve on the California HIV/AIDS Planning Group by The Office of AIDS
Management/Supervision
Lead trainer for Positively Speaking speakers to provide HIV education and prevention
throughout CaliforniaCoordinated the speakers bureau for Solano County Counseling
Certified with California State Office of AIDS
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2004 – Present
HIV/AIDS Tester and Counselor at Alternative Testing Site in Health and Human Services
1999 – Present
HIV/AIDS Educator with Substance Abuse Services
2003 – Present
HIV Prevention Specialist
HIV Testing
DUI Group Counselor at Healthy Partnerships
2001 – Present
Private Contractor with Vacaville Unified School District providing HIV education in
class to students and in-service training to teachers
2000 – 2004
Lead Trainer and Speaker for Positively Speaking in California
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Certified HIV & AIDS Counselor and Tester by State of California Office of AIDS
Certified DUI Counselor in the State of California
Human Services AA in Progress
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