SOCIAL SEXUAL NETWORK PROGRAM

The Social Sexual Network (SSN) Program is an evidence-based program with a proven approach for connecting people at high risk for exposure to an STI to services specifically catered to them. The SSN program model focuses on the idea that people in the same networks share similar experiences with their partners and friends, and that people in the same groups can influence each other because they know and trust each other. Leaders from these groups are provided incentives for each person that successfully setup for testing and each person who access services gets paid, and has a chance to become a leader or Stay Connected Recruiter themselves. 

What is "Stay Connected"? 

Stay Connected is an initiative of the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on recruiting leaders and influencers from diverse social groups, whether it be romantic, sexual or hook-up, and work with them to connect people to FREE HIV testing and STI screening. These leaders and influencers, referred to as “Recruiters,” become short-term partners with the program staff and are required only to participate in a short orientation and coaching session that will provide guidance on the best ways to talk to their social circle and support them in getting to one of our testing locations, including our mobile testing clinic. In addition, the initiative provides incentives to each participant for their time and each referral. 

Skills you will learn from your partnership with this program and our team of health educators:

• Active Listening
• Motivational Interviewing
• Partner Disclosure Support
• Connecting People to Care
• Accessing Long Beach Resources

Recruiters are eligible to receive a gift card for enrolling in the orientation and for every person that is successfully linked to HIV test and STI screening.

How do I become a recruiter?

• Are you someone that is influential in your group?
• Do people in your network look to you for advice or guidance?
• Is HIV prevention something you have some experience with or would like to learn more about?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a potential candidate to help recruit your network to services they may need!

If you’re interested in becoming a Recruiter, fill out the brief intake survey linked below to provide us with your contact information, answer a few questions about HIV and STI prevention and share your strengths and potential barriers around talking about these topics with others. If you are an eligible candidate, a health educator will reach out to you to schedule an orientation.

Recruiter Intake Survey

Contact Us

Mobile Testing Calendar

What are the benefits of becoming a recruiter?

People who successfully complete a 1-hour orientation will receive $20 in gift cards, and after that, $10 in gift cards for every person they refer to the program that successfully completes an HIV test.

Recruiters can send their friends, partners, or connections who may need HIV and STI testing. Recruiters can also choose to bring their contact themselves and support them during the testing process. As a recruiter and leader within your group, having the connection and direct linkage to care can improve the health outcomes for everyone.

The free, rapid HIV test takes 1-minute to process and only needs one small drop of blood. We use a one-time use, automatic lancet that helps the tester collect your blood. It is like the sample collection used by many to test for blood sugar levels.
Everyone who tests will have their results provided by a trained and certified HIV testing counselor. Any questions, concerns, and support needed is available and tailored to each person’s individual needs. Anyone who has a reactive, or positive, result will be connected to care, including treatment.

Sexually Transmitted Infections or STIs are easily passed on from one person to another, even if nobody is showing or feeling symptoms. The most common description of symptoms we hear is, “I don’t have any symptoms.”
The storefront testing clinic with Stay Connected staff and the mobile testing unit can test for both HIV and STIs at no cost.

We screen for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and hepatitis C – and we offer site-specific swabs for gonorrhea and chlamydia as requested. Remember: these bacteria can live in your throat and rectum, as well as your genitals.

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is committed to helping those most vulnerable to health inequities. As part of the Prevention Team, "Stay Connected" is committed to connecting with as many communities in Long Beach that can thrive by accessing our services. Testing is available on-site at the following locations as well as at various locations in Long Beach through our Mobile Testing Unit:

For additional questions or information about the Social Sexual Network Program, please email he-stayconnected@longbeach.gov or call (562)235-7152