South Alabama Cares

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Program Services

Case management is the center of direct client services at CARES. All client-related activities begin with case management. The various activities a case manager will do in a day can be as simple as placing a phone call or as complicated as finding a way to explain the importance of drug therapy and the proper medication regimen for the client. Any activity a case manager does during the course of a day that involves a client or group of client is considered case management.

CARES has the ability to assist our clients in several key areas:

Needs Assessment and Case Planning:

Service Arrangement -- Through linkage, the case manager refers the client with appropriate persons and/or agencies through calling and/or visiting these persons or agencies on behalf of the client.
Individual/Family Education -- The case manager will provide written and/or verbal information regarding HIV/AIDS to a client and/or a client's family members. The case manager will always encourage the client to be assertive in learning about the disease and the various treatments available. However, family members are only involved with the case manager if it is the wish of the client. If a family member inquires about services and the client has not given consent for the case manager to speak with the family, the family is referred to the Prevention Education Coordinator for general HIV/AIDS information.
Social Support -- The case manager, through interviews with the client and significant others, determines whether the client possesses an adequate personal support system. If this personal support system is inadequate or nonexistent, the case manager assists the client in expanding or establishing such a network through linking the client with appropriate persons, support group, or agencies.

Practical Support Services -- CARES clients have a wide range of needs. As these needs are expressed to the case manager, a request for services is given to volunteer services on behalf of the client. CARES is very proud of the wide-range of assistance provided to client through our dedicated volunteers. These services include transportation, delivering "Meals on Wheels" visiting, cleaning, moving, linking a client with donated items, and the Holiday Gift Box Project.
CARES -- CARES can provide limited financial assistance toward the purchase of low cost medications or co-pays, provided the client meets financial criteria.
Housing -- CARES has a Housing Coordinator who oversees the housing needs of our clients. There are various programs in our area that can be accessed. Through a project funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, qualified clients receive rental assistance (as available and eligible) to assure that living on a fixed income does not mean becoming homeless or being forced to live in an unsafe dwelling.
Reassessment/Follow-up and Monitoring:

All services offered by CARES are provided at NO COST to the client.