Caring for Families  -  Client Services  -  Metrolina Care Network

Caring for Families

Vision: Caring for Families (CFF) will be the lead coordinated regional and statewide HIV/AIDS program serving women, adolescents, children and families.

Mission: Caring for Families enhances the lives of women, adolescents, children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS by providing comprehensive family-centered quality care through service coordination, education, advocacy and empowerment.

Coordination, collaboration, outreach, and consumer involvement are functions of the Caring for Families network. In an effort to maximize efficiency in coordination of services, Carolinas Medical Center, Gaston Family Health Center, and Rowan County AIDS Task Force arte working in conjunction with other service providers to foster collaboration among other professionals, groups, associations and practices. The CFF program offers an Adolescent Service Coordinator targeting 16-24 year olds. The CFF program also funds a Bilingual Service Coordinator to provide prevention and care to target the Hispanic/Latino population served by the agency.

The Caring for Families network has four main goals:

1. To foster the development and support of comprehensive care infrastructures, including primary care, that increases access to culturally competent, family-centered, community-based, coordinated care.
2. To increase access to clinical trials and other research activities for women, children, youth and their families.
3. To reduce perinatal HIV transmission through outreach, comprehensive prenatal care and increased provider education.
4. To enhance the involvement of those living with HIV/AIDS in the planning, implementation and evaluation of HIV/AID services.

Our programs help women and youth:

• Be self-confident
• Be advocates for themselves, their families, and their communities
• Make healthy decisions regarding their mental, physical and spiritual well being
• Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to form active partnerships with their children and/or families
   

We also offer Support Groups for women as part of our Services.

Client Services

Client Services is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and health status of our clients living with HIV/AIDS by providing assistance, advocacy and referrals through case management and psychotherapy services.

We are committed to providing excellent case management to clients living with HIV/AIDS. In order to assist our clients in maintaining their overall health and well-being, our primary focus will be to provide assistance with:

1. Accessing and maintaining quality medical care
2. Accessing HIV/AIDS medications
3. Referrals to individual and group psychotherapy, as indicated
4. Referrals to substance abuse treatment, as indicated
5. Referrals to psychosocial support services, as indicated

We recognize that our clients may occasionally require additional support services due to health or financial challenges. Clients who are actively participating in our case management program may also be eligible to access the following support services:

1. Emergency food assistance
2. Housing referrals
3. Assistance with transportation to medical appointments
4. Emergency financial assistance to help with services such as:
   a. Rent
   b. Utilities
   c. Medical Co-pays
   d. Legal assistance

As a part of our continuum of care, Client Services offers individual counseling by a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in addressing the treatment issues of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Couples/family therapy and substance abuse treatment, if indicated, may be a part of the individuals care plan. We also offer Support Groups as part of our Services.

Metrolina Care Network

The Metrolina Care Network (MCN) is a federally funded Ryan White Title III program by the US Department of Health of Health and Human Services. Primary Care/Early Intervention Services is provided to people living with HIV/AIDS.The program offers access to comprehensive HIV care and quality services. All patients receive primary and speciality health care services, treatment adherence education, case management and advocacy.

Program Services

• Primary Medical Care (Doctors Office Visits and Lab Services)
• Dental Care (For Dental Participations Only)

Note: This program does not provide assistance for prescriptions, in-patient hospital care, and emergency care

Program Guidelines and Requirements

Eligibility Criteria for program participation:

• No private insurance coverage
• No public insurance benefit such as: (1) Medicaid; or (2) Medicare
  Note: Individuals with a high spend-down requirement may be eligible
• No military retiree or veterans health care benefits
• Meet program income guidelines

Participants in the program must reside in the following counties: Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, and Rowan

For a detailed description of the services offered at Metrolina AIDS Project, please read about our Services.