West Virginia Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS

About Us who | why | services | accomplishments | plans | executive summary 2002

Who We Are
The mission of the West Virginia Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS is to assist people of all ages who are infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS to live an independent and integrated life in the community. The Coalition provides housing and supportive services to people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
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The Coalition has existed since 1995. It is presently comprised of three social service agencies around the state, who work cooperatively to serve people infected with HIV [and their families], throughout all 55 counties of West Virginia. The founding Coalition members are Caritas House Inc., Covenant House Inc. and Community Networks, Inc.

The Coalition is funded by the Federal Housing and Urban Development's HOPWA Program [Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS]; the Coalition is a statewide non-profit organization established to create a continuum of care program for people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Why Are We Needed?
In 1987, the National AIDS Commission identified 50% of HIV/AIDS cases in the United States as homeless. In 1999 these statistics still hold true across the nation and here in West Virginia. No other non-profit or institution provides both the housing and supportive service components to people in WV infected with and affected by AIDS.

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What Are Our Services?

Long-term Case Management

Counseling and Advocacy

Housing Assistance and Permanent Placement

Support Groups

AIDS Treatment Information

Financial Assistance

Education Programming including the H.S. play "Gone Tomorrow"

Referrals for Job Training

Legal Assistance for Living Wills, Wills and Power of Attorney

Medical Referrals

Application Assistance for SSI or SSDI

Arrangements for Funerals and Burials

Each of the Coalition members provides housing and supportive services throughout the state. The staff providing these services are qualified and experienced in their fields. They are licensed social workers, licensed counselors and/or certified AIDS educators.

*** These services may be provided by one or two, not necessarily all three of the collaborating sites. Call 304-344-1479 for more information.

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What Have We Accomplished?

Purchased and renovated five houses in order to house up to 24 HIV+ residents, their families and partners. The houses are handicapped accessible and very homey. A Resident Manager lives in each one.

Served over 500 people with HIV/AIDS and almost 400 affected family members from 1995 to 2003.

Built a strong and viable reputation fro professional care and services to people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Hired a Development Specialist who will develop tools to track housing trends in the state; incorporate those findings and recommendations in the State's long-term strategic plan for housing; network with other care givers and service providers throughout the state; and assist in establishing funding sources to assure permanency to the Coalition's housing programs.

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What Are Our Future Plans?
Based on client and professional input, the Coalition will expand the three existing housing programs and further develop a statewide program in the following ways:

Create a statewide Continuum of Care collective for people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Initiate and develop within the State of West Virginia's long-term strategy plan for housing, the housing and service needs of this particular population.

Develop an outreach and delivery services system to people in the rural counties of the state.

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Executive Summary 2002
The West Virginia HIV/AIDS Housing Plan was completed in December 2002 for the West Virginia Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS, Inc. and the AIDS Network by AIDS Housing of Washington, a national technical assistance provider. This Executive Summary includes an overview of the process, critical issues identified, and the recommended strategies developed.
pdf...Executive Summary 2002
html...Executive Summary 2002

HOPWA Evaluation 2004
The July 2004 HOPWA "Outcome Based Evaluation of the West Virginia Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS" is a joint effort between the Coalition and Marshall University Lewis College of Business Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER). The goal of this project is to aid the Coalition in strategic planning, development of resources and overall program evaluation. The Coalition continues to work with CBER and is in the process of updating programmatic intake data to better capture potential program participant outcomes.
html...Outcome Based Evaluation 2004

West Virginia Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS, 600 Shrewsbury Street #3, Charleston WV 25301-1211
phone: 304-344-1479