County terminates contract with Inland Aids Project

In response to the needs of clients who may be affected by the change in service providers, the county is discontinuing its contract with the Inland Aids Project (IAP) to administer Ryan White Part A and B services beginning Feb. 21.

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has developed a plan to transition the approximately 700 clients currently served by the IAP to other agencies contracted to provide the same services in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

The new plan was developed to ensure disruption of services is minimized.

The Ryan White Program was established to provide HIV health care and support services to persons affected by the disease who do not have access to other resources.

"While it is the primary responsibility of the Public Health Department to serve those in greatest need of health services, it must simultaneously ensure that contracted service providers are held accountable to local, state and federal requirements," said Maxwell Ohikhuare, public health officer for San Bernardino County. "This is especially important in light of our shrinking resources and increasing community needs."

joe.nelson@inlandnewspapers.com