KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County has been awarded more than $6.2 million in Ryan White CARE Act funding to support a variety of care services for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS in King County.

"Some of our communities in King County are particularly vulnerable and in need, and this grant goes a long way in assuring that low-income populations receive quality HIV/AIDS services," said King County Executive Ron Sims. The new grant is an increase of approximately five percent over the previous fiscal year.

Public Health and the HIV/AIDS Planning Council have already awarded these funds to 22 public and non-profit community-based organizations. "HIV and AIDS are top public health priorities, and these funds allow excellent local organizations to continue to serve people living with HIV and AIDS," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

These grants, which cover a 12-month period beginning in March 2003, will support organizations that provide a variety of services including but not limited to out-patient medical care, dental care, case management, home health care, transportation, food and meal delivery, as well as mental health and substance use treatment and counseling.

Additionally, as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Initiative, a portion of the funds, $215,293, will be used to strengthen HIV-related health care and services among minority populations which are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. This Initiative supports efforts to improve the quality of care and health outcomes in communities of color.

The Health Resources Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services issues the Ryan White CARE ACT Title I grants. Title I grants provide essential HIV/AIDS health care and supportive services to those that lack or are only partially protected by health insurance.

King County organizations receiving funding:

Babes Network Bailey Boushay House Bastyr University Consejo Counseling Services Country Doctor Community Health Centers Harborview Medical Center King County Bar Foundation Lifelong AIDS Alliance Multifaith Works Public Health - Seattle & King County People of Color Against AIDS Network

Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers Rosehedge Seattle AIDS Support Group Seattle Counseling Services Seattle Treatment Education Project Swedish Home Health and Hospice University of Washington Medical Center Washington Health Foundation's HIV/AIDS Care Access Project Washington State Department of Health