In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control first became aware of the disease we now know as AIDS. In 1983, the virus that causes AIDS was isolated and eventually named HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). By 1985, widespread blood testing had begun, and 2-1-1 Big Bend, Inc. (formerly Telephone Counseling and Referral Service, Inc.) was approached by the Florida Department of Health to establish a new, statewide AIDS Hotline.

The Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline began as an off-shoot of the local crisis and information hotline operated by 2-1-1 Big Bend, Inc. Telephone counselors simply added an extra phone and incoming line to answer statewide calls, and looked up HIV/AIDS information in a slim binder that was little more than a collection of pamphlets.

The face of the hotline has changed. The single incoming line has grown to five lines in English, two additional lines for Spanish and two more for Haitian-Creole, as well as a separate line providing TTY access for the hard-of-hearing and deaf.

The Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline operates with dozens of active paid and volunteer counselors and is an active member of the Ryan White District II Consortia, the Florida HIV Community Planning Group; the Florida AIDS Health Fraud Task Force; and the National AIDS Fraud Task Force.

If you need additonal information, please call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline or send us a message.

If you live outside of Florida, visit The Body to find an HIV/AIDS hotline in your area.