An HIV diagnosis can be overwhelming. Though the disease is no longer a death sentence, it is still challenging to manage a chronic illness. Fortunately, if a person has HIV and is struggling, the case managers at Allies for Health + Wellbeing are here to help.
David Shannon has been with PATF/Allies since 2016 and works as the intake case manager. When someone calls Allies seeking case management, Shannon is the person they will speak to.
“We’re here for what you need now,” he said. “It's understanding what you need, what resources do you not have that we can provide for you today, for the future, for tomorrow.”
To receive case management at Allies, a person needs a diagnosis of HIV, an income less than or equal to 500% of the federal poverty level, and must reside in one of the 11 counties of southwest Pennsylvania.
“You have to be HIV positive,” Shannon said. “That’s truly the main requirement.”
Once a potential client connects with Shannon, he will go over the intake process. “When you do your intake with me, I'm going to do the whole kit and caboodle,” he said. “We assess what's going on in that person's life – what resources they already have, what resources they need, what will help them reach their goals.”
Shannon gathers as much information as possible so the case manager assigned to the new client can match them with the resources they need. After intake is completed, the new client is assigned to a case manager, and the case manager will reach out to the client within a week. The case manager will discuss a client’s needs and goals and begin connecting them with resources. At Allies, case managed clients can access housing assistance, legal services, food assistance, transportation assistance, emergency financial assistance, support groups and more.
If Allies is unable to accept a client for any reason, the process doesn’t end there. “If we don't take them on, I will refer them to another case management facility,” Shannon said, noting that Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation or Macedonia FACE are options for people who can’t become an Allies client.
Shannon said that housing is the most common need for Allies clients, and when a person doesn’t have stable housing, other issues can arise from that. Other common concerns include a lack of health insurance and a lack of medical care.
“Those three things tend to be the three aspects they need the most with,” Shannon said. “Housing is the hardest, and the resources are less and less.”
But what Shannon most wants people to know is that Allies is a safe space for people with HIV, and if they have any questions or concerns, they should give him a call.
“The biggest piece I'd want you to know is you are not alone,” he said. “When you are in that space and you don’t have someone to turn to, turn to us. We will not leave you in the dark. We don't care what you look like, who you are, it doesn't matter. Not calling is stopping you from moving forward. We can help you move forward.”
To learn more about accessing case management at Allies, contact David Shannon at 412-252-1553 or email dshannon@alliespgh.org(opens in a new tab).
