KNOW

YOUR STATUS

Knowing your status prepares you to get the help you need.

GET HELP

NOW

Ready to take the next step? This is where we can help.

KNOWLEDGE

BASE

Education is one of the most important things we help provide.

How We Help

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), HIV/STD Comprehensive Services Branch coordinates all federal and state funds for HIV client services through selected administrative agencies. DSHS has contracted with StarCare Specialty Health System as the PanWest and West Texas HIV Services Administrative Agency to administer and disburse Part B funds to various providers in the Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, and El Paso HIV Service Delivery Areas (HSDA) and provide administrative and planning services. Administrative agencies disburse funds from DSHS through a subcontractor system to provide comprehensive services to HIV positive individuals and those affected within the service planning area. See below to learn more about the PanWest and West Texas HIV Services Administrative Agency’s roles and responsibilities.

Allocate Funds

We don’t determine the amount of funds for each HSDA. DSHS receives the actual amounts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). DSHS determines the amount of funding for each HSDA and then we allocate that funding to the service categories. Allocations are done every year and are different depending on the amount of funding the State receives. We monitor the spending rate of the service providers and work with them to shift funds from one service category to another from HSDA to HSDA, depending on the need in the area.

Educating Community and Gathering Community Input

We solicit input from Consumers (PLWHA) in the service areas, individuals with knowledge of and expertise on the local HIV medical and social support service delivery systems, client needs and barriers, public health, HIV/STD prevention, and current HIV treatment practices, along with other health planning entities. We maintain operating procedures for ensuring community input and disseminating updates to stakeholders. These procedures should include a community input plan that specifies how input is to be solicited, and evidence of progress towards implementing the plan. We conduct Public Forums concerning the use and distribution of funds and provide feedback to stakeholders and to funding sources.

Assess Needs and Educate Community

We carry out a periodic assessment of need for HIV medical and psychosocial support services and barriers to accessing these services, and research best practices for service delivery and strategies for overcoming barriers to entry and retention in care. We maintain an inventory of service resources within the region and develop service priorities and allocations for each HSDA within the planning area based on the needs assessment data.

Monitor Funds and Services Provided

We ensure the provision of comprehensive outpatient health and support services, including educational information, to individuals after diagnosis of HIV infection. The individuals served will be those who live and/or receive services in the counties of the PanWest and West Texas regions. We enter into agreements with HIV Service Subcontractors in the Amarillo HIV Service Delivery Area (HSDA), the Lubbock HSDA, the Permian Basin HSDA and the El Paso HSDA to ensure HIV Services are provided to eligible persons. We conduct site visits for network Providers to assure compliance with all Provider responsibilities under the Provider Agreement and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program manual.

Collaborate with Community Agencies

We support and encourage subcontractors to coordinate with other health and human services providers in the service areas. We. help by facilitating collaboration with other agencies and individuals with expertise in the delivery of HIV/AIDS services and knowledge of the needs of the target population, establishing formal linkages with STD clinics, emergency rooms, and other venues where HIV infection may be diagnosed so that referrals can be made in the care system, establishing formal systems for diagnosis and treatment through a Letter of Agreement with local STD and TB programs, and participating in the Uniform Reporting System (URS) quality assurance activities.

Technical Assistance for Ryan White Providers

We help Subcontractors identify, address, and attempt to resolve existing barriers to service delivery and ensure contract compliance. We maintain a log of all technical assistance and other trainings provided. This assistance may include training on the development and management of budgets, coordinating HIV services with other health care delivery systems, training on linking clients to other community agencies and social service programs and support with education and outreach activities to decrease stigma associated with the disease and to increase the number of HIV infected individuals receiving needed services.