Dedication

This, the fourth edition of the redbook, is dedicated with love and respect to the memories of those Men, Women and Children who have passed through our lives and then succumbed to diseases associated with AIDS and HIV Spectrum Disease.

In the twenty three years since evidence of HIV has been detected in our nation, over 550,000 persons have died. Because AIDS knows no boundaries, among those whom we have lost have been our Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Lovers, Children, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Neighbors, Friends, Partners, and Soul mates. Rich, poor, brilliant, talented, or just a typical Joe, we have loved them all and have lost them to this disease. In addition, untold thousands have been affected in every personal way; either by being called upon to care for someone with the disease or by the actual loss of someone they love or know.

 There can be no better way to honor the memory of those whom we have lost but to offer this simple guide as a helping hand in their journey for those still living with HIV/AIDS.

 The agencies, organizations, and individuals listed within these pages are here in part because of the strength, courage and determination of those who have traveled before us. Their commitment to supporting those with HIV and AIDS was unyielding. In their memories, may we continue forward until AIDS and HIV are a faint memory.

In their honor, may we each continue the fight and stand tall, proud, and empowered to control our destiny and the destinies of those whom we love.

Publication of the 2007 issue of the redbook has been made possible through the cooperation of the Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council, Palm Beach County Department of Community Services and the Treasure Coast Health Council, Inc.

Through a sustained effort of cooperation, these organizations support the efforts of Palm Beach County’s largest citizens advisory board which has a community voice in the identification of needed services for individuals living with HIV Spectrum Disease and AIDS, and the prioritization and allocation of federal and state funds for these important services.

Funding for this publication has been obtained through the Ryan White CARE Act Part A Grant specifically to reach out to individuals who have not been able to locate necessary medical or supportive services. The Ryan White CARE Act also funds medical and supportive services for persons diagnosed HIV positive and who have no medical insurance or other way to pay for necessary services.

Our community-based CARE Council has determined its top priority is to ensure no person seeking HIV/AIDS medical care is turned away. In addition, it is a goal of the CARE Council to collaborate with all available funding sources to ensure important support services are available to those in need. Available funding limits the ability to serve all who require services, but each individual requesting assistance is given consideration based upon medical and financial need.                      

Editor’s Note...

 In gathering the information used in this directory of HIV and AIDS services available in Palm Beach County, we attempted to gather the widest list of services and providers as possible.

 While inclusion in this directory is not a recommendation of any provider, or guarantee the provision of services will be possible at the time of request, we believe providers listed herein are active in the provision of HIV and AIDS services in Palm Beach County.

 The Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council is genuinely interested in the quality of service provided to consumers. If you would like to share your experience concerning a particular provider, especially in regard to a specific incident, please detail the experience in writing to:

Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council
600 Sandtree Drive
Suite 101
Palm Beach Gardens, FL. 33403

What is the Ryan White CARE Act?

 Ryan White, who became a spokesman for people with AIDS in the late 1980's, died of an AIDS-related illness in April 1990. The Indiana resident was only 18 years old, but his efforts to counter discrimination against people with AIDS had caught the attention of the nation.

 Within months, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law a formula-funding bill that was the federal government’s broadest response yet to the epidemic. The bill was named the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act of 1990.

 In Palm Beach County, there are a number of Federal and State programs which fund HIV/AIDS medical care and supportive services for those who cannot afford to pay for such care. It is our belief that no one who seeks medical treatment for HIV/AIDS should be denied treatment. Through the Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council, needed services are identified for potential funding and a community- based process determines how available funds are spent on the eligible services.

If you are HIV positive, or have AIDS and need medical care or other support to help you maintain the highest level of wellness possible, but have no way to pay for these services, it is quite possible that necessary services can be provided at no or at a very low cost to you.

 The easiest way to find out if you qualify for publicly financed HIV/AIDS services is to contact one of the AIDS Case Management Agencies listed in this directory, go to a Palm Beach County Health Department Clinic, or the Palm Beach County Department of Community Services.

 Today, there are many successful treatments which have been proven to extend life and to dramatically improve the quality of life for those living with HIV or AIDS. The programs identified in this guide are all intended to prolong life and assist those affected to manage the disease. The agencies and individuals who provide these services are dedicated to providing quality services to as many individuals as possible, and will work with you to determine the latest methods of treatment and identify which services are necessary to maintain health.

While not every provider included in this directory provides services funded through the Ryan White CARE Act, nearly every service is funded by the program. Full time professional Case Managers are a ready resource to help you in determining eligibility, availability and appropriateness of services.

The online version of the redbook is best viewed using Windows Explorer 4.0 or higher and ADOBE READER.

Up-to-date and ready to be downloaded with any printer, our online version is perfect for the professional user to obtain the most timely information.

In addition to the redbook, this site provides localized information about HIV/AIDS, Services, Needs, Volunteer Opportunities and Other Items of Interest to people in our community.