Maricopa County Introduces 24-Hour Resource Line for HIV/AIDS

HIV CARE is a new toll-free 24-hour resource line administered by Maricopa County for HIV/AIDS patients and their families, which will connect them directly to the organization that can best meet their needs.

The number " 1-877-HIV-7020 " targets people who have been diagnosed HIV positive and are currently not receiving care. While there are many agencies and organizations available to offer help, it is not always easy for potential recipients to navigate the maze of options to find what would help them best. HIV CARE offers a single point of entry to services in Maricopa and Pinal counties.

HIV CARE is administered by the Ryan White Title 1 program office, and contracted to Community Information and Referral Services. Callers dial 1-877-HIV-7020 and after a few brief questions will be transferred to the appropriate agency to provide testing, counseling, medical care or case management to create a comprehensive program of care.

Nearly half of the estimated 8,000 people diagnosed as HIV positive in the Phoenix area are not receiving care, according to Ryan White Title 1 Director Kevin McNeal. The creation of HIV CARE is an outreach effort to reach those people.

The introduction of HIV CARE/1-877-HIV-7020 is assisted by a media program that includes public service announcements for television and radio; magazine ads in specially targeted publications, posters, cards and bus advertising. The campaign features some of the types of individuals diagnosed HIV positive who could benefit from care " the homeless, those without insurance, women with families, minorities and those who are symptom free, who may feel as if they don't need care.

The Ryan White Title 1 program is also reaching out to other governmental, private and non-profit organizations that deal with HIV patients, from homeless shelters to medial facilities, to share in distributing the HIV CARE line and get out-of-service people into care.

Title I of the CARE Act provides emergency funding for Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs) that are severely and disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. These are cities or regions that have over 2,000 AIDS cases. In Arizona, the only Title I EMA is Maricopa and Pinal Counties, and is administratively managed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Health Care Mandates. Title I provides funding for HIV care and services including outpatient medical care, medications, dental care, mental health, substance abuse, case management, transportation, and other core and supportive services.