Marlene Clarke, the Case Management Coordinator, oversees Client Services which provides assistance to clients Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.  The service approach is based on empowerment, assisting clients to access the needed services required to maintain their quality of life.

The Client Services department provides two services called Medicaid and Support Case Management.

Case Managers establish a relationship and work closely with clients and their families as appropriate.  The frequency of contact depends greatly on the identified needs by the client in conjunction with the Case Manager.  The Case Manager and client will develop a care plan or problem task list outlining responsibility and a time line for the identified needs.

Assistance is available for clients to assist them with food, utilities, housing, transportation, insurance, medications, dental care, mental care and other expenses.  This fund is used as a last resort when other avenues for financial assistance are not available.  Case Managers will work with clients to establish a monthly budget according to their income, or refer them to Consumer Credit Counseling when appropriate.

Are you taking care of your house?
Debbie Pustorino, Client Case Manager

"There is an Indian Belief that everyone is in a house of four rooms: A physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time, but unless we go into every room everyday, even if only to keep it aired, we are not complete."  -- Rumer Godden

I have been blessed to be able to work with those living with HIV/AIDS over the past few years. Of all the things that I could say about being a case manager at the Western North Carolina AIDS Project, I want to say that I have learned so much from my clients. By helping others I help myself and it brings clarity into my life on a daily basis. Clients may feel as though they come here only to ask for help but I would like them to know that in turn they help us by allowing us into a very personal part of their lives. For many it is the first time they may have opened up to anyone about living with HIV among many other issues that they share with us. This space between case worker and client has to be a place of openness and trust.

During the process of working with our clients I try to address the whole person and not just the issue at hand whether it be a financial assistance request or some guidance or emotional support that they are seeking. If I only listen to part of the problem then I am not able to work out a Care Plan that will in the end address the client needs and not just focus on the problems. While working with clients I see more than just the AIDS Room. I see the man, woman, parent, sister, brother or lover. I see me reflected in their presence.

I believe that our clients are much more than just a check request or a number on a caseload. Before us is sitting another human being who needs us as much as we need them to learn and grow as a person. By working at the Western North Carolina AIDS Project we are able to assist them in finding the support they need or we work with other agencies in the community to coordinate services. We walk through these rooms together in life. I hope you find time to spend in your rooms today.