Out in the Mountains

 

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morass of programs you may need to use:
interpreting insurance policies, applying
for Medicaid and disability, finding funds
to pay for expensive medication, and deal-
ing with other issues can be frustrating.
Someone who knows how the system really
works can make the red tape seem a lot less
intimidating.

ASO's also provide services to help
deal with changing medical needs through
the course of illness. Case management
services, "buddies," and home care serv-
ices can all help ensure that needs are being
met appropriately. Use of these services
means that unnecessary hospitalizations
can be avoided and that a person can stay
comfortably at home for a longer period.

In addition to the services which they
operate themselves, ASO's can frequently
provide appropriate referrals to other serv-
ices a person may need, including therapy

and counseling, home health care, legal
services, spiritual resources, and addiction
treatment. Many also provide AIDS educa-
tion, professional training, and risk reduc-
tion information. Whatever services they
provide, all ASO's offer dedicated and in-
formed staff and volunteers and the assur-
ance of confidential and sensitive services.

Each of the eight ASO's across the
state provides different services. The two
largest and oldest organizations are the
Burlington-based Vermont C.A.R.E.S.
(Committee for AIDS Resources, Educa-
tion and Services) and the Brattleboro
AIDS Project, each of which offers a wide
range of services.

In other parts of the state, smaller
AIDS projects offer many, but not all, of
these services. If you are in need of assis-
tance, contact the one closest to you to find
out what is available. These organizations

  

include AIDS Community Action Project
(ACAP) of St. Johnsbury, AIDS Commu-
nity Resource Network (ACoRN) of the
Upper Valley, Bennington Area AIDS
Project, Franklin/Grand Isle AIDS Task
Force, and the Northeast Kingdom AIDS
Coalition (NEKAC).

In addition to these ASO's, HEAL
Vermont (Holistic Education and AIDS
Alternatives Liaison) provides information
about alternative and holistic treatments,
and referrals to practitioners experienced in
alternative care.

There is no need to face HIV entirely
alone - there are resources in Vermont
which can help provide the information and
support our community needs as we move
into the second decade of the AIDS epi-
demic. If you can, support these services -
with your money and with your time and
energy. And if you need them, use them.

 

     
  
    

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