Supportive Health Services
Receiving an HIV and/or AIDS diagnosis can be frightening, and learning how to live with the diagnosis can be overwhelming. Shannon Supportive Health Services (SSHS) assists those diagnosed with HIV and/or AIDS with a number of healthcare services to improve quality of life.
SSHS provides specialized HIV care with labs and monitoring by a staff physician and licensed practical nurse. Assistance is provided in numerous areas, including:
- Access to the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) and AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
- Case management services.
- Dental care.
- Assistance in accessing food stamp benefits, food banks, substance abuse treatment, Social Security benefits and mental health counseling.
- Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA).
- Emergency and long-term housing.
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA).
- Short-Term Rental, Mortgage and Utility (STRMU).
- Emergency and long-term housing.
- HIV-specialized medical care.
- Assistance in paying for insurance co-payments, deductibles, COBRA.
- Assistance in applying for Medicaid, indigent healthcare and other assistance programs.
- Transportation.
- Referrals to other locally available services to assist in meeting medical, psychosocial and financial needs.
The SSHS program covers these 13 counties: Coke, Concho, Crockett, Irion, Kimble, McCulloch, Mason, Menard, Regan, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton and Tom Green.
How do you access SSHS services?
An individual will be eligible to receive services with SSHS when he or she has met the following requirements:
- Has a verifiable diagnosis of HIV and/or AIDS.
- Is a verified resident of the 13-county area served by SSHS.
Picture identification, proof of residency and verification of income must be provided before eligibility can be determined.