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).
• 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.