Support Services

1. Support Services Area 15 Ryan White Program

2. HRSA Support Services • Support services must be linked to medical outcomes and may include outreach, medical transportation, linguistic services, respite care for caregivers of people with HIV/AIDS, referrals for health care and other support services, case management, and substance abuse residential services. The following support services are funded in Area 15 to eligible clients: • Food Vouchers • Housing Assistance • Linguistics Services • Medical Transportation Services • Psychosocial Support Services • Substance Abuse Services- Residential • Case Management- Non-Medical

3. Electronic PODatabase • In order for any support service (with the exception of case management) to be paid for by Part B funds, all providers must create a service request for each service being provided using the Electronic PODatabase. All clients must have a Notice of Eligibility prior to initiating any service. • This service request is then approved by the Medical Services Specialist (MSS) at Project Response, if the client is eligible. • After the service has been delivered, the provider completes the service request in the Electronic PO Database by entering the date of service and reimbursement amount in order to receive payment. Back up documentation is then sent in to the Lead Agency (St. Lucie County Health Department) for reimbursement.

4. Food Vouchers • HRSA Definition: Food bank/home-delivered mealsinclude the provision of actual food or meals. It does not include finances to purchase food or meals. The provision of essential household supplies such as hygiene items and household cleaning supplies should be included in this item. Includes vouchers to purchase food.

5. Access to Food Vouchers • Project Response determines eligibility for food vouchers and distributes the vouchers. The amount awarded for food vouchers is based on the amount of food stamps received. A client must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and currently be receiving less than 100 a month of Food Stamps. • 1 Card Equals $25.00 • As funding allows eligible RW Part B clients will receive 1 food card per access, not to exceed one access per month. • Cards will not allow for the purchase of tobacco, alcohol or lotto products. However, hygiene and paper products are allowable purchases.

6. Housing Assistance • HRSA Definition: Housing services are the provision of short-term assistance to support emergency, temporary or transitional housing to enable an individual or family to gain or maintain medical care. Housing-related referral services include assessment, search, placement, advocacy, and the fees associated with them. Eligible housing can include both housing that does not provide direct medical or supportive services and housing that provides some type of medical or supportive services such as residential mental health services, foster care, or assisted living residential services.

7. Access to Housing Assistance • Once a client is denied assistance from HOPWA, a Project Response Case Manager can discuss services needed with the supervisor. If approved by the supervisor, the Case Manager submits a written request to the Lead Agency. If approved the Case Manager initiates the service request process. • Assistance with rent and utilities is available under housing assistance, if approved.

8. Linguistic Services • HRSA Definition: Linguistics services include the provision of interpretation and translation services. • To access Linguistic Services, the Project Response Case Manager would initiate this service, if needed. Currently, the Project Response staff have access to Haitian Creole and Spanish speaking Case Managers. This service is not currently used.

9. Medical Transportation Services • HRSA Definition: Medical transportation services include conveyance services provided, directly or through voucher, to a client so that he or she may access health care services. • To access medical transportation services, the client would request transportation through the Project Response Case Manager, who would complete a transportation request, which is faxed to the transportation provider. The Case Manager also initiates the service request process.

10. Psychosocial Support • HRSA Definition: Psychosocial support services are the provision of support and counseling activities, child abuse and neglect counseling, HIV support groups, pastoral care, caregiver support, and bereavement counseling. Includes nutrition counseling provided by a non-registered dietitian but excludes the provision of nutritional supplements. • To access psychosocial support services, a request from the service provider is submitted to the Case Manager, which then initiates the service request process.

11. Case Management- Non-Medical • HRSA Definition: Case Management (non-Medical) includes the provision of advice and assistance in obtaining medical, social, community, legal, financial, and other needed services. Non-medical case management does not involve coordination and follow-up of medical treatments, as medical case management does. • Please refer to the Case Management PowerPoint for information on how to access this service.

12. Substance Abuse Services- Residential • HRSA Definition: Substance abuse services-residential are the provision of treatment to address substance abuse problems (including alcohol and/or legal and illegal drugs) in a residential health service setting (short-term).

13. Access to Substance Abuse Services- Residential • In order for a client to receive Substance Abuse Services through Part B funds, the client must have a referral for substance abuse services from a medical provider.  • The medical provider submits the referral to the Project Response Case Manager for processing. The Case Manager arranges the first appointment or intake appointment for client with the provider. • The substance abuse provider then initiates the service request process.