Intent
This document establishes universal core standards for HIV/AIDS case management services funded or administered by the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute (AI). The standards set a minimum service level for programs providing HIV case management regardless of setting, size, or target population.
Universal core case management standards were developed to:
- Clearly define case management and describe models of case management service
- Clarify service expectations and required documentation across HIV/AIDS programs providing case management
- Simplify and streamline the case management process
- Encourage more efficient use of resources
- Promote quality of case management services
The overall intent of AIDS Institute Case Management Standards is to assist providers of case management services in understanding their case management responsibilities and those of their counterparts in other programs to promote cooperation and coordination of case management efforts.
Ongoing changes in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the HIV/AIDS service environment, and the needs of HIV positive individuals over the late 1990's and into the twenty first century necessitated a re-examination of case management practice and standards. For over two years, an internal AIDS Institute workgroup, broadly representative of the diverse program types offering HIV/AIDS case management across New York State, met to develop a single set of standards. Case management providers from a variety of settings and locales provided initial input and ongoing feedback through focus groups, conference calls, and piloting.
The new case management standards describe two models of HIV/AIDS case management: Supportive Case Management and Comprehensive Case Management. Providers may be approved by the AIDS Institute to offer one or both models of service. The two models were established to respond to varied levels of client need, client readiness for case management services, and agency resources. Programs providing both models of case management have the added flexibility to vary the level of case management service while maintaining continuity of care by shifting a client from one model to another when the client's circumstances change.
Although these standards set minimum requirements for AIDS Institute-sponsored case management programs, individual bureaus within the AIDS Institute may establish additional requirements, modifying the standards to fit particular settings, objectives, target populations, and/or AIDS Institute initiatives.
