Office of HIV/AIDS & Viral Hepatitis

Staying Healthy with HIV/AIDS

How can I stay healthy with HIV/AIDS?

If you are HIV positive, the best way to stay healthy is to stay informed. Stay in treatment, practice good nutrition, and use mental health and substance abuse treatment services. In addition to keeping themselves healthy, people who are in treatment lower their risk of passing the virus to other people. Talk with your health care provider about how to keep your viral load as low as possible.

For more information, go to:

• National Association of People with AIDS
• AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition
• The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource

What services are available for people living with HIV/AIDS?

There are many services throughout the state available for people living with HIV/AIDS. These services include:

• Medical treatments
• Drug assistance
• Treatment adherence
• Housing assistance

An HIV case manager can help you get the services that you need. HIV case management is available through the following agencies:

AIDS Care Ocean State
18 Parkis Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
401-521-3603

• Paul Fitzgerald, Executive Director: paulf@aidscareri.org
• Jill Sabatine, Project Director Title IV: fotofool@aol.com
• Loretta Becker, Case Management Supervisor: lorettab@aidscareri.org

Family Resources of RI
245 Main Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
401-766-0900

• Benedict F. Lessing, MSW, Executive Director: blessing@famresri.org

Agape Center
1 Social Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
401-762-4000

• Charlene Maguire, Director: cmaguire@famresri.org

Family Service of RI, Inc.
55 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906
401-331-1350

• Margaret Holland McDuff, Executive Director
• Matthew Roman, MSW, Clinical Services Director: romanma@familyserviceri.org

AIDS Project RI
232 West Exchange Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-831-5522

• Al Wroblewski, Executive Director: al@aidsprojectri.org
  
• Alix Stockwood, Client Services Director: alix@aidsprojectri.org

Where can I get assistance for HIV/AIDS drugs?

The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) helps people living with HIV get the HIV/AIDS drugs they need. Funded through the Rhode Island Department of Health, this program covers the costs of HIV drugs for low-income people who have limited or no coverage from private insurance or Medicaid.

To apply for the ADAP program, you must complete an application with a case manager at a RI Department of Health‑funded community based organization (please see list of agencies above) and fax it to the Department of Health. The staff at Department of Health will determine your eligibility for the program and contact your pharmacy to enroll you in the program. For most people, enrollment into ADAP takes less than 48 hours. Please review the client agreement to understand the rules and guidelines of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

How Do I Maintain Benefits on ADAP if I am Enrolled in the Program?

As part of new federal funding requirements, ALL individuals who receive ADAP drug assistance must re‑apply (recertify) with ADAP every 6 months.  To recertify for the ADAP program, you must complete a recertification application with a case manager at a RI Department of Health‑funded community based organization (please see list of agencies above) and fax it to the Department of Health.  In order for Rhode Island to continue to receive the federal money to support this important program, we are required to recertify all ADAP clients every 6 months. If this does not take place the funding for this program may be in jeopardy.

In order to continue receiving ADAP benefits, YOU must: 

1. Re‑apply (recertify) with ADAP every 6 months on or before your birth date and 6 months following. If you do not recertify, your ADAP benefits may be terminated.

2. Have a case manager at a RI Department of Health‑funded community based organization.

If you do not have a case manager, you can call one of the agencies listed above and ask to become a case management client.