There are many special initiatives currently in Philadelphia, some of which are nationally recognized as innovative and effective methods of delivering services in communities that are most highly impacted by HIV/AIDS. The following are a few examples.

Storefront Service Delivery
The Storefront Model has been developed by AACO and implemented in highly impacted neighborhoods in the city by organizations funded by AACO that are already in the neighborhoods. This model involves a literal "storefront" location in a neighborhood operated by the community and bringing together a variety of care and prevention services to those in need. The key to success is in the fact that it is operated in a neighborhood by organizations in the neighborhood, and that a variety of services are offered so that someone is not automatically identified as having HIV by going into the storefront. Services provided at each storefront are determined by the particular neighborhood organization running the storefront, but generally includes medical evaluation and referral, HIV counseling and testing, care and prevention outreach, food, support groups, laundry, clothing bank, and other services that will bring people into the door for services. So far Storefronts are present in Kensington, Germantown, and West Philadelphia. Providers include Germantown Settlement and One Day At A Time as primary operators in collaboration with PCHA, BEBASHI, Philadelphia FIGHT, MANNA, Positive Effect Outreach Ministry, and others. AACO is working with neighborhood-based providers to develop additional Storefronts in North and South Philadelphia.

Faith-based Initiatives
Faith-based services are funded as an integral component of service delivery in highly impacted communities. Current providers include, for example, Women's Christian Alliance, Catholic Social Services, and Positive Effect Outreach Ministry.

HIV Testing
AACO has developed a network of 40 HIV counseling and testing sites across the city that provide free anonymous or confidential testing to those at high risk. Currently over 30,000 Philadelphians are tested each year at these sites. Locations include HIV testing vans, free-standing anonymous HIV testing sites, hospitals, community-based clinics and organizations, the Storefronts, the City's Health Centers and STD Clinic, and federally qualified community health centers.

HIV in the Prisons
AACO works with the City's prisons and has ten employees stationed at the prisons. These employees conduct HIV prevention education sessions, voluntary confidential HIV testing, and condom distribution. They also assist PHS in implementing a system that assures continuous un-interrupted medications for those released from the prisons. A community-based care outreach program was also just funded to assist those who are released who have HIV to access medical and other services.

School Programs
School-based programs occur across the City and are conducted by community-based organizations funded by AACO. The Family Planning Council operates Resource Centers in a number of schools that provide counseling for HIV, STDs, pregnancy and reproductive health, and referrals for services. YO-ACAP and Philadelphia Health Management Corporation run programs that do theater presentations in schools to demonstrate the impact of HIV on young people and how to protect themselves. City-Wide Youth Agency, COLOURS, Congreso, ODAAT and many, many others offer regular classroom group-level trainings for youth in school on HIV risk, prevention and referrals for services.

Other Services
Scores of organizations are funded to work within their neighborhoods to do prevention and care outreach tens of thousands of individuals who are at parks, bars, sex establishments, crack houses, shooting galleries and other high risk locations to provide information and condoms, and bring these individuals into services.