HIV AIDS Program Receives Funding Increase
5/20/2019
Media contacts:
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; MLMadigan@cuyahogacounty.us
Kathie Sizemore: (216) 881-4413; kathleen.sizemore@jfs.ohio.gov
County sole provider of in-home services for people living with HIV under Ryan White program
CLEVELAND — A critical program to assist people living with HIV is getting a boost, as Cuyahoga County’s Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) is receiving renewed funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Since 2012, the County has been the only local in-home care provider for the program, which provides a comprehensive system of HIV primary medical care, essential support services, and medications for low-income people living with HIV who are uninsured.
“I am pleased that our Division of Senior and Adult Services is part of this important program,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “This program serves as a significant source of care for those living with HIV disease who do not have sufficient resources to cope with the disease.”
The program, which is fully funded for 2019, provides care and treatment services to people living with HIV to improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission among hard-to-reach populations. This year, the County’s funding was increased to $56,760 an increase of 10 percent over the previous year.
“The goal is always to reduce viral loads in people living with HIV/AIDS. Viral load suppression results in a decreased likelihood of transmitting the HIV virus to an uninfected person,” said David L. Smith Jr., R.N., DSAS’ Director of Nursing. “The increased funding will help in DSAS’ effort to improve health outcomes and increase viral suppression rates in those clients living with HIV/AIDS.”
Under the program, Cuyahoga County is considered a Transitional Grant Area (TGA), a term for counties or cities that are the most severely affected by the HIV epidemic. As a result, the County receives additional funding under ‘Part A’ of the program, which provides for a broader scope of services.
First authorized in 1990, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has played a critical role in the United States’ public health response to HIV. The HRSA website notes that more than half of people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States receive services through the program each year.
For information about the Ryan White Program, visit the Division of Senior Services website at dsas.cuyahogacounty.us or contact their Centralized Intake Unit at 216-420-6700.
Media contacts:
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; MLMadigan@cuyahogacounty.us
Kathie Sizemore: (216) 881-4413; kathleen.sizemore@jfs.ohio.gov
County sole provider of in-home services for people living with HIV under Ryan White program
CLEVELAND — A critical program to assist people living with HIV is getting a boost, as Cuyahoga County’s Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) is receiving renewed funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Since 2012, the County has been the only local in-home care provider for the program, which provides a comprehensive system of HIV primary medical care, essential support services, and medications for low-income people living with HIV who are uninsured.
“I am pleased that our Division of Senior and Adult Services is part of this important program,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “This program serves as a significant source of care for those living with HIV disease who do not have sufficient resources to cope with the disease.”
The program, which is fully funded for 2019, provides care and treatment services to people living with HIV to improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission among hard-to-reach populations. This year, the County’s funding was increased to $56,760 an increase of 10 percent over the previous year.
“The goal is always to reduce viral loads in people living with HIV/AIDS. Viral load suppression results in a decreased likelihood of transmitting the HIV virus to an uninfected person,” said David L. Smith Jr., R.N., DSAS’ Director of Nursing. “The increased funding will help in DSAS’ effort to improve health outcomes and increase viral suppression rates in those clients living with HIV/AIDS.”
Under the program, Cuyahoga County is considered a Transitional Grant Area (TGA), a term for counties or cities that are the most severely affected by the HIV epidemic. As a result, the County receives additional funding under ‘Part A’ of the program, which provides for a broader scope of services.
First authorized in 1990, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has played a critical role in the United States’ public health response to HIV. The HRSA website notes that more than half of people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States receive services through the program each year.
For information about the Ryan White Program, visit the Division of Senior Services website at dsas.cuyahogacounty.us or contact their Centralized Intake Unit at 216-420-6700.