Regional Planning for HIV/AIDS Care and Support Services

Communities across the country that have been hit by HIV/AIDS have responded to the epidemic by providing care, services and support for people living with the disease. Many of these services are funded through the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. First enacted by Congress in 1990, the CARE Act pays for primary health care and support services that address health needs of people living with HIV disease. Under CARE Act legislation, funds for services are provided through several funding streams, called "Titles".

What is the Title II Consortia?
Title II of the CARE Act legislation provides grants to states and territories to improve the quality, availability and organization of services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Title II also funds the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). In the state of Maryland, there are five regional HIV Care Consortia that make recommendations about how to use funds in their respective local jurisdictions. The regional HIV Care consortia are comprised of consumers, concerned citizens, providers of HIV services, representatives of community-based organizations, and health departments. The following are the regional groups along with the local counties and jurisdictions represented:

What does the Title II Consortia do?

The Title II Consortia provides valuable input to the Maryland AIDS Administration on strategies to support and facilitate the provision of coordinated, comprehensive health and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS and their affected family members. In order to achieve this goal, the Title II Consortia assumes the following responsibilities:

• Assess the service needs of people living with HIV/AIDS
• Develop a plan for meeting those needs through a continuum of outpatient medical and support services
• Promote the coordination and integration of community resources
• Periodically evaluate the consortium's effectiveness in responding to service needs

How do I get involved?

The AIDS Administration greatly respects the efforts of people who are willing to assist their community in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and it encourages open membership in each of the five regional HIV consortia. Generally, the regional consortia meet four times each year in their respective jurisdictions. Throughout the year, additional committee and/or special focus caucus meetings may be held, as needed, to supplement the region-wide consortia meeting. Reimbursement of reasonable travel and/or childcare expenses is available to those for whom costs of participating may be a barrier. If you are interested in joining a regional CARE consortia, please send an email to: jpollak@dhmh.state.md.us.