People with HIV and Community

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) is a federal program dedicated to providing the best care to people with HIV. Funds go to states and communities to deliver services.

The main purpose of this website is to present resources to help RWHAP agencies deliver HIV care. There are also resources for people with HIV. The RWHAP has a legislative requirement of consumer involvement, which helps keep the program on the right track. Consumer-focused resources include involvement of consumers/people with HIV in planning councils, advisory boards, and peer programs (where people with HIV support others to help keep them in care).

But the most important role for you is to take care of your health. This means keeping appointments, taking medications, and asking for help and support from friends, family, and professionals like physicians, nurses, case managers and counselors.

Getting in Care, Staying in Care

• Clients should work with their trusted HIV/AIDS care team to learn about health insurance coverage options. Access health insurance enrollment resources for consumers.
• Need help with HIV services, like finding a clinic? Use the Program Locator to find a Ryan White program near you. One good place to start is the RWHAP Part B website for your state. Often, they list hotlines, lists of agencies, and grievance/complaint forms. You can also contact our Help Desk.

Currently in care? Contact your case manager, your doctor, your nurse.

Resources and TA/Training People with HIV

Explore the following Library topics and websites for resources developed to date. Also, access the Technical Assistance Directory for current projects that deliver support to RWHAP agencies.

See the Top Picks below as well as our People with HIV & Community Involvement resources for information on varied topics, like:

• Community Advisory Boards - how to set up and improve a community advisory board.
• Peer Programs - train patients and community members to support other patients.
• Quality Management - HRSA's standards and tools and resources to measure and improve performance.

Innovations in HIV Care: Replication Resources - HRSA-funded innovations are currently catalogued in HIV Care Innovations: Replication Resources and Best Practices Compilation, (Consolidation of these collections is forthcoming.)

See our Planning resources and the vital role of consumers in Ryan White decision-making. Start with the Planning Body Operations resources, particularly the Planning Council Primer and Training Guide for RWHAP Part A Planning Councils/Planning Bodies: A Member’s First Planning Cycle.