The Northwest Pennsylvania Rural AIDS Alliance is dedicated to rendering HIV care and prevention services with the utmost professionalism, resourcefulness, dependability and compassion. It is an entity formed to develop, coordinate and implement comprehensive, holistic services to individuals infected with and affected by HIV.

The Alliance began in 1989-1990 as a group of individuals from several counties, who were meeting informally to discuss support and care issues of people who were infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the region. These individuals included representatives of several volunteer county AIDS Service Organizations and public health nurses.

When Ryan White Title II funds from the federal government became available in 1990, Pennsylvania divided the state into seven regional planning coalitions and designated the responsibility of determining service needs and administering funds on a regional basis to these coalitions. At that time, the small group of people who were service organizations meeting informally in northwest Pennsylvania expanded their base to include representatives from all of the county ASOs, consumers, and professionals. The group developed bylaws and sought a lead agency to administer the funds. Clarion University was chosen by the regional planning coalition as this lead agency, and became known as the Northwest Pennsylvania Rural AIDS Alliance. Due to the lack of service organizations in the region, Clarion University hired the staff experienced in providing the required services, having been funded by the PA Department of Health to do so.

Clarion University continues as the fiscal and administrative agent for the Northwest Pennsylvania Rural AIDS Alliance and Coalition. Funding for the region is provided by the federal and state governments to conduct the requisite programs and services identified by a regional, community-driven needs assessment. Serving as the administrator of these programs and services, Clarion University ensures that the regional needs, as prioritized by the Coalition, are met. The community programs and services provided by the Alliance include education for prevention, case management and clinical care.

Services Available:
Case Management | Patient Care | Rural Health Care Clinic | Education and Prevention