As part of sweeping changes in the funding and organization of the federal Ryan White CARE Act, New York State has consolidated the Lower Hudson and Mid-Hudson funding region for Part B into a single Network. ARCS applied for and received the role of Lead Agency for the new Hudson Valley Ryan White Part B HIV Care Network. The agency assumed this role on April 1st.

ARCS will be responsible for coordinating the activities of this wide-reaching network of HIV/AIDS service providers and individuals living with HIV (known in Network-ese as consumers). "ARCS is uniquely positioned for this," Executive Director Jeff Kraus said. "We are the only agency with an established presence in all seven Hudson Valley counties. We also understand that this region is geographically large and economically diverse. There are several small cities, but no major metropolitan area to serve as a center for activities."

ARCS will hire a Network Coordinator and a Program Assistant, who will be based in the Hawthorne office. The agency will install state-of-the-art video conferencing equipment to facilitate the linkage of the two regions. "This will minimize the travel folks with have to undertake and help to unite the region," Kraus said. "We can have a unified committee meeting across regions by video-conferencing. It will save people time and expense and this will encourage greater participation. ItÕs very exciting."

A significant responsibility of the Network Coordinator will be to staff various committees, including ones for Care Coordination, Consumer Involvement, and Policy Advisory/Education. The Network will also create service delivery plans to identify and fix gaps in care, provide legislative updates, and leadership trainings.

Though "Lead Agency" may sound powerful, ARCS will not be able to vote on the Executive Committee, which will consist of approximately fourteen representatives from the community. "This is still an important move for us," said Andrea Shurin, Executive Director. "It gets us in touch with consumersÕ needs, and weÕll have an even better grasp on whatÕs happening in the communities we serve." Shurin sees ARCSÕ role as advisor, guide, and problem solver. "This merely expands the ways in which we can make a difference in the lives of HIV-positive individuals and their families."

What is the HIV Care Network?
The federal Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act was enacted by Congress in 1990. Part B (formerly known as Title II) of the CARE Act provides funding to states for programs for people living with HIV/AIDS. The most recent reauthorization of the Act in 2006 has focused funding on the delivery of core medical services for those living with HIV/AIDS. The Hudson Valley Ryan White Part B HIV Care Network is one of twelve similar networks across New York State, giving consumers and service providers a forum in which to create the most efficient service delivery system for their respective region.
For more information, contact:

Barbara Bennet
Network Coordinator
bbennet@arcs.org
(914) 785-8275

Or

Michelle Amatulle
Network Assistant
mamatulle@arcs.org
(914) 785-8274