BEHIV closes, AFC, Chicago House helping clients

Better Existence with HIV, which has provided HIV/AIDS services on Chicago's North Side, Evanston and the North Shore since 1989, is closing, officials announced Jan. 14.

"After 21 years of service to the community, Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) is sadly closing its doors," officials said in a statement.

The announcement came less than a month after the resignation of the agency's executive director, Eric Nelson, who'd led BEHIV since 2007.

The agency's board attributed the closing to the poor economy - charitable giving is down for non-profits nationwide, they said - and to pending changes in the distribution of federal Ryan White CARE Act funds for case management.

Stating, "One major change is the probability of AFC (AIDS Foundation of Chicago) to receive the award for Ryan White Part A for case management," meaning that the funding this year will be distributed by AFC to community non-profits, the board went on to say, "(I)t has been pre-determined that agencies without an on-site medical clinic would not be part of on-going Ryan White Part A case management services."

"That potentially would wipe out our whole case management department," said BEHIV interim Executive Director Julie Supple.

AFC Vice President David Munar (photo right) said, though, that changes in how case management is funded are because of decisions made by federal officials.

"It's a national trend coming down from the federal government," Munar said, adding that the Chicago Department of Public Health also "also put out some new proposals at the end of 2010."

BEHIV's statement also said, "AFC is encouraging smaller organizations to merge or forcing the choice of consolidation."

But while smaller agencies are maintaining services by partnering or merging with other agencies, Munar said AFC can't and won't mandate those kinds of decisions.

"In 2011 and going forward it's going to be a difficult road for all non-profits," Munar said, citing decreased donations, reductions in government funding and slow payments by governments. "We're going to see many agencies struggle, and it's not just HIV agencies. We do think agencies should look at every option and decide whether to go it alone or look at possible partnerships. ...But we're not imposing anything on any group. We don't have that power."

Gains in the treatment of HIV/AIDS also affect funding, Munar said, with people living longer, more productive lives after contracting HIV. Social services that were once offered just to help people stay alive - housing, food, mental health services, for example - now have a different purpose.

"What low-income people with HIV need to do today is get stabilized medically," Munar said. "The ancillary services - mental health services, housing services, etc. - are all aimed at keeping people in medical care."

While BEHIV's statement said the pending changes in case management funding "will likely impact other AIDS service organizations as well, not just BEHIV," Munar said he didn't know of any other HIV/AIDS agencies in Chicago that are considering closing. Most, he said, are partnering with other entities to continue to meet requirements for Ryan White funds.

Munar said AFC is working with other agencies, in particular Chicago House and Social Service Agency, to aid BEHIV clients and assure continuity of care, and BEHIV acknowledged Chicago House's "enormous help during this difficult time."

"We are hopeful that a great deal of our clients will transition to Chicago House for continued services," BEHIV board members said.

Munar called BEHIV's closing "a tragedy."

"We've been a longtime supporter and funder of BEHIV," Munar said. "We are just as dismayed as the board is."

But the clients they served are the paramount concern, he added.

"It's not about keeping agencies open," Munar said. "It's about keeping clients served."