This helper will, eventually, let you access the points functions from anywhere in Magento.
<?php
class Mage_Points_Helper_Data extends Mage_Core_Helper_Abstract
{
public function getCustomerPoints()
{
$currentPoints = Mage::getModel('points/points')->getCustomerPoints(Mage::getSingleton('customer/session')->getCustomerId());
return $currentPoints;
}
}