How Care Programs Support the Orange County Community

Irvine care programs.

Local care programs and social services are providing a lifeline for residents across Orange County. Whether helping families access nutritious meals or mental health counseling, these programs are helping meet day-to-day needs for those experiencing economic difficulties and chronic illness. With many residents dealing with challenges related to housing and healthcare, services offering coordinated support are more important than ever.

The Role of Care Programs for Orange County’s Most Vulnerable

In response to the growing social and health-related challenges in the community, Radiant Health Centers is expanding its programs to provide comprehensive, connected support. Food insecurity is one of the most urgent and visible of these challenges in our county. Whether it’s food, housing, healthcare or access to public benefits, many patients benefit from wraparound services that deliver individualized care based on their needs.

Addressing Food Insecurity in Orange County

The latest data from Feeding America indicates that Orange County’s food insecurity rate has risen to 11.4%. Realities like rising grocery costs and unstable employment result in many people struggling to get the nutrition required to maintain a healthy diet. For Orange County residents living with HIV, reduced access to vital vitamins and supplements can have long-term implications for health and well-being. Faced with challenges like these, our food pantry is helping people with HIV in Orange County receive groceries, prepared meals, and the support of nutrition counseling.

Navigating Housing Insecurity in Orange County

High rents and limited tenant protections contribute to housing instability for many in the community. Studies show that 26% of LGBTQ+ youth have been forced to leave their homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Housing discrimination compounds these challenges, but case management can be a lifeline—helping at-risk youth navigate housing waitlists, secure rental assistance, and find stability.

Barriers to Inclusive Healthcare

At Radiant Health Centers, delivering inclusive and compassionate health services is our primary goal. Sadly, due to a lack of insurance, transportation issues and prior negative experiences, many healthcare barriers still exist. For the LGBTQ+ community, inadequate provider knowledge about specific needs can be a challenge, while discrimination often leads to many avoiding crucial appointments and checkups.

How Care Programs Are Responding

Driven by providers like Radiant Health Centers, care programs are responding to the needs of the Orange Community with wider-reaching services. Our comprehensive case management services include a diverse range of solutions, including our food pantry, transportation to appointments, housing assistance, mental health counseling, medication support and more. By increasing access to these services and reaching more people in need, patients are less reliant on fragmented programs, allowing them to regain control of their lives.

Access Inclusive Care Programs in Orange County

Radiant Health Centers offers a range of care programs for the LGBTQ+ community and others across Orange County. To discuss social services, medical care, our food pantry and other vital programs, contact our Irvine center today. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment now.

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Radiant Health Centers Welcomes Dr. Tulika Singh as Medical Director

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Radiant Health Centers welcomes Dr. Tulika Singh as medical director.

Radiant Health Centers Welcomes Dr. Tulika Singh as Medical Director, Strengthening Its Commitment to LGBTQ+ Health and HIV Care in Orange County

Irvine, Ca – August 18, 2025— IRVINE, CA — Radiant Health Centers is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Tulika Singh as its new Medical Director, bringing nationally recognized expertise in HIV care, infectious diseases, and health equity to the heart of Orange County.

Radiant Health Centers welcomes Dr. Tulika Singh as medical director.

Dr. Tulika Singh, Radiant Health Care Medical Director

A board-certified HIV Specialist and Infectious Disease physician, Dr. Singh has more than 15 years of clinical, academic, and research leadership. Her appointment underscores Radiant’s commitment to expanding inclusive, evidence-based care for the LGBTQ+ community, individuals living with HIV, and other underserved populations.

In her role, Dr. Singh leads the clinical direction of Radiant Health Centers’ medical programs, advancing its mission to reduce health disparities and provide compassionate, stigma-free healthcare to those most impacted by systemic inequities.

“At the core of my work is the belief that every person deserves access to compassionate, evidence-based care—no matter who they are or where they live,” said Dr. Singh. “I’m proud to be part of a movement that not only treats HIV and infectious diseases but also uplifts communities through education and advocacy.”

A Leader in HIV Medicine and Health Equity

Dr. Singh serves as a co-author of the national HIV Primary Care Guidelines published by the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), helping to shape the standard of HIV care nationwide.

She also holds a faculty position as Volunteer Assistant Professor at UCI Health, mentoring the next generation of infectious disease fellows, residents, and medical students at one of Southern California’s premier academic medical centers. She served as Infectious Disease Staff Physician at UCI Health until last month.

Her dedication to reaching the most vulnerable extends beyond clinic walls. Through a virtual practice, Dr. Singh provides infectious disease specialty care to remote and underserved communities across California, ensuring no patient is left behind due to geography or access barriers.

Prior to joining Radiant, Dr. Singh served as HIV Primary care and Infectious Disease Staff Physician, Associate Chief Medical Officer & Director of Research at DAP Health in Palm Springs, where she led multiple clinical trials as Principal Investigator and helped position the region as a hub for innovation in HIV research and care.

Rooted in Compassion. Driven by Impact.

Dr. Singh’s professional affiliations include Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and IDSA. She has helped develop national board examinations for the American Academy of HIV Medicine and has been a vocal advocate on issues related to HIV and aging in California’s Coachella Valley.

Originally from India, Dr. Singh earned her medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Chief Residency at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Ohio, followed by a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She also holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of New Haven, Connecticut.

Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Singh is a wellness advocate and world traveler. She finds joy in yoga, Pilates, meditation, and exploring cultures around the globe.

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Why LGBTQ+ Individuals Need a Will, & How to Plan With Pride

Wills and estate planning for LGBTQ+ in Orange County.

Every August, nonprofit groups, estate planning professionals, and organizations such as Radiant Health Centers observe National Make-A-Will Month. This annual event offers the perfect opportunity to create or update your will, protect your loved ones, and leave a lasting legacy through charitable giving. For many in the Orange County LGBTQ+ community, the occasion serves as a reminder to reflect on the future and take an important step towards ensuring your wishes are honored.

Why Wills and Estate Planning Matter

A will allows you to decide what happens to your money, property and belongings after you pass. However, a 2025 survey from Caring shows a sharp decline in the number of Americans with wills, dropping from 33% of respondents in 2022 to just 24% in 2025.

With procrastination cited as the primary reason for delaying estate planning, raising awareness of the need for a will this August is more important than ever. Having a will can reduce stress for you and your loved ones while protecting you from unintended outcomes.

Protect Your Estate, Assets and Loved Ones

Surprising to many, a will is more than a list of who inherits your belongings. Wills and estate plans are vital tools for protecting your estate, your relationships and your legacy. Individuals can name an executor to manage their estate, designate guardians for children and ensure unmarried couples, LGBTQ+ partners and chosen family aren’t excluded from inheritance. By committing to creating a will, you can achieve peace of mind during Make-a-Will Month.

Prepare for the Future With an Estate Plan

Sadly, sickness and accidents can happen to anyone at any time. At Radiant Health Centers, we are all too familiar with the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals and families have to cope with when faced with severe disease and trauma. An advanced health care directive (living will) and durable power of attorney can provide much-needed clarity at this time, and ensure that relatives understand your wishes. It’s also important to review and update these documents periodically, particularly after life changes such as marriage, divorce, a property purchase and so on.

Leave an Impact With Charitable Giving

Large charitable donations often make the headlines, yet even a modest gift in your will can make a meaningful difference for local organizations here in Orange County and beyond. In fact, many in our community choose to support our Irvine LGBTQ+ medical clinic, helping it remain a welcoming healthcare home for everyone. Giving through a will allows you to create a legacy of pride that supports those most in need today, and helps provide care for future generations.

Become a Legacy Partner or Access Medical Care in Irvine

Contact Radiant Health Centers today if you would like to include our LGBTQ+ medical clinic in your estate plan. You can also reach out for support with HIV and STD testing, primary care, counseling services and other vital treatments. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment now.

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Benefits of Behavioral Health Services for LGBTQ+ Teens

Top Benefits of Behavioral health services for LGBTQ+ teens.

Did you know that Orange County LGBTQ+ youth struggle to find welcoming and supportive LGBTQ-centered counseling and behavioral healthcare? At the same time, rates of anxiety, depression and suicide continue to rise among this group of young Americans. Radiant Health Centers in Irvine offers LGBTQ+ centered behavioral health and medical services that meet teens where they are, providing critical support for youth navigating mental health challenges, social pressures and identity development..

LGBTQ+ Teens Want Behavioral Health Services

In today’s current social and political climate, where their very existence is questioned and their lives are thrust into the spotlight, LGBTQ+ teenagers face a myriad of challenges, including disparities in access to mental healthcare. Access to reasonably-priced or free counseling, psychotropic medications, and gender-affirming healthcare provides foundational emotional support to help these young people live fulfilling, productive lives.

It’s important to note that mental health concerns like anxiety, depression and suicidality are not inherent to LGBTQ+ people. Often these arise from environmental factors such as school bullying, a lack of acceptance at home or in religious settings, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

According to a 2023 Trevor Project survey, more than 81% of LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-24) wanted mental health services, yet 56% were not able to access it. These numbers reflect the urgent need for these services in their lives.

What Are the Benefits of Behavioral Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Teens?

Knowing that LGBTQ+ teens want access to mental health services, now we can look at some of the top benefits of this necessary care.

Lowered Rates of Mental Health Challenges and Suicide

As mentioned, LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Access to mental health resources gives these teenagers life-saving skills and coping mechanisms to live in societies hostile to their existence. When the environment outside doesn’t change, it’s important for teens to have access to services and medications that can help them accept themselves, appreciate who they are, and stabilize internally. This care reduces the effects of anxiety and depression and reduces the number of youth (especially transgender youth), that contemplate or attempt suicide.

Gain Strategies for Dealing With Stress

As societal minorities, especially youth with ethnic heritage such as Asian, Black, Indigenous or Latinx, these teens live in the tension of multiple intersections. They tend to be stigmatized, labeled, and judged more harshly than their heterosexual peers. This stress often leads to adverse outcomes. Mental health services provide coping strategies through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based approaches.

Learn Communications

Clear communication helps teens express who they are in a world that too often misunderstands or rejects them. LGBTQ+ teens sometimes feel they must hide who they are for acceptance or for their own safety. Learning to clearly communicate with themselves and outwardly with others helps them build confidence, which is always health-promoting and beneficial.

Gain a Community of Peers

Access to mental health services can lead LGBTQ+ youth to support groups, LGBTQ+ youth mentorship programs or group therapy. In these times of sharing, students learn they are not alone and can build bonds with others. Having a supportive community is an important part of care and development.

Help Families and Kids Learn Acceptance

Good LGBTQ+ focused mental healthcare will work with families who are safe and willing to learn. Teens already have challenges through puberty and societal pressure to learn who they are, and for LGBTQ+ youth, that is compounded. Through individual, group and family therapy, youth can learn there is nothing “wrong” with them, they can gain internal fortitude and a positive view of themselves. Having an accepting, supportive family helps with this growth and reduces negative outcomes.

With kids’ lives on the line, quality mental healthcare focused on meeting the specific needs of LGBTQ+ teens is vital. There are holistic health centers dedicated to creating an environment where these kids can not only survive but thrive and live long, healthy lives.

Get the Mental Health Help You Deserve in Orange County

Find trusted mental healthcare for teens and young adults in an LGBTQ+-friendly environment at Radiant Health Centers in Irvine. Our teams are dedicated to thoughtful, specialized care, and we serve all people with mental health and medical care as well as social services. To learn more, call (849) 809-5700 or request an appointment.

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