RYAN WHITE 101
What is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program?
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program helps people living with HIV access medical care, medications, and support services.
The program works with local communities and organizations to help people get into care, stay in care, and live healthier lives.
What is Ryan White Part A?
Part A provides funding to communities that have been significantly affected by HIV.
This funding helps provide HIV medical care and support services for eligible people living with HIV who may be uninsured, underinsured, or need additional support accessing care.
Services may include:
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Medical care
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Medication assistance
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Medical case management
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Dental care
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Mental health services
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Transportation
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Housing assistance
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Other support services
What is a Planning Council?
The Planning Council brings community members together to help guide how Ryan White Part A services and resources are used locally.
Planning Council members include people living with HIV, community members, service providers, and representatives from organizations involved in HIV care and services.
People living with HIV play an especially important role by bringing their experiences and perspectives directly into the planning process.
What Does the Planning Council Do?
The Planning Council helps answer some important questions:
What does our community need?
The Council reviews community feedback, data, and Needs Assessment findings to understand the needs and experiences of people living with HIV.
Which services are most important?
The Council establishes priorities for Ryan White Part A service categories based on community needs.
How should resources be allocated?
The Council determines how available Ryan White Part A service funding should be distributed among service categories.
Are services meeting community needs?
The Council reviews information about services and works with community partners to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
How Does The Process Work?
COMMUNITY INPUT
People living with HIV and community members share their experiences and needs.
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IDENTIFY NEEDS
The Planning Council reviews surveys, community feedback, service information, and other data.
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SET PRIORITIES
The Council identifies which HIV services are most needed.
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ALLOCATE RESOURCES
Available Ryan White Part A funding is allocated among service categories.
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IMPROVE SERVICES
The process helps strengthen the local system of HIV care and support services.
Who Manages Ryan White Part A Funding?
The Planning Council and the Recipient/Administrative Agency have different responsibilities.
The Planning Council focuses on community planning, identifying needs, establishing service priorities, and allocating resources.
The Recipient/Administrative Agency manages the Ryan White Part A grant and works to ensure funds and services are administered according to federal requirements.
The two work together while maintaining their separate responsibilities.
What is a Needs Assessment?
A Needs Assessment helps the Planning Council understand the experiences and needs of people living with HIV in the community.
This can include surveys, community discussions, service data, and other information.
The results help identify:
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Community needs
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Gaps in services
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Barriers to accessing care
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Populations that may be underserved
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Priorities for future services
Why Does Community Participation Matter?
People who use HIV services understand the system in ways that data alone cannot show.
Community participation helps the Planning Council understand what is working, what is missing, and what could be improved.
You don't have to be a Planning Council member to participate.
You can:
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Attend Planning Council and committee meetings
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Participate in the People's Caucus
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Complete Needs Assessment surveys
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Participate in community discussions and focus groups
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Provide public comment
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Apply to become a Planning Council member