Living with HIV
We are here for you

TPAN was founded in 1987 at the height of the AIDS epidemic—we have been committed to serving the HIV-positive community since day one.

From this legacy, TPAN has developed a unique set of services for those living with HIV—assistance accessing medication, one-on-one and group counseling, case management, and housing assistance. Whether you are newly diagnosed, have been living with HIV for years, or are helping a loved one manage their care, TPAN offers a variety of services to support you in your journey to healthful living.

Case Management Services

Empowering our clients to live full, independent lives

Clients collaborate with case managers on service plans that address health goals and assist with applying for benefits, accessing emergency funds, identifying medical and social service needs, and facilitating appropriate referrals. If you need case management please call the AIDS Foundation of Chicago at 312-922-2322 to request services. You may request TPAN as your preferred agency.

Case managers at TPAN help people living with HIV obtain:

  • medical care
  • legal services
  • child- and respite-care
  • public benefits
  • housing options
  • support programs
  • substance abuse and mental health treatments
  • additional services through special programs
For more information about Case Management, contact Jose Lopez at 773-989-9400 x272.

Retention Services

Connecting you to care

Retention Services provides the linkage and follow up for clients who are newly diagnosed with HIV or those who have fallen out of care. Staying in care is fundamental to limiting new HIV transmissions. Our retention program is TPAN's effort to ensure that all of those who test HIV positive are linked to care as soon as possible. Staff monitor whether or not clients are going to the doctor regularly and taking their medications. Enrolled participants are also helped to enroll in other programs and services.
 
Enrolled clients receive assistance with:
* Finding an HIV doctor
* Paying for HIV medications and/or enrollment in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)  program
* HIV prevention information
* Information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
* Mental health and substance abuse services
* Enrolling in dental care and nutrition services
 
For more information about Retention Services, contact Fonzy Treviño at 773-989-9400 x237 or a.trevino@tpan.com.
For more information about Retention Services, contact Fonzy Treviño at 773-989-9400 x237 or a.trevino@tpan.com.

Housing Assistance

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

TPAN’s housing program helps Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS maintain safe, stable, and affordable residential subsidies. To receive  help through TPAN's housing program, individuals must complete an eligibility screening. To complete an eligibility screening, contact AIDS Foundation of Chicago or Chicago House to do so. Once the eligibility screening process is complete, eligible individuals will be assigned to a housing technician who will provide assistance with subsidy placement, housing re-certifications and help you create goal-driven plans to remain housed.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
TPAN is able to assist those who:
  1. Are HIV-positive and the head of household
  2. Can provide proof of household income, of any amount
  3. Live in a unit with a mortgage or rent payment at or below fair market value
  4. Complete the TPAN in-take process
HOW WE HELP
After being awarded a housing subsidy voucher, our housing technician’s primary responsibility is helping you find a housing unit that will accept the subsidy and and help you maintain your subsidized housing.

Through our housing program we:

  1. Help by completing housing subsidy applications and re-applications, advocating on your behalf, and work to create goal-driven plans to remain housed
  2. Provide crisis prevention and intervention services to clients residing in a current housing subsidy
  3. Create greater accessibility to long-term housing options to strengthen housing stability and sustained health outcomes

SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

Subsidized Tenant Empowerment Program (STEP)
Long-term support is available to eligible clients as reoccurring payments to a landlord to cover rent. TPAN can help assigned clients find subsidized units that can be applied to a currently-occupied unit. Long-term subsidy recipients are required to pay an adjusted portion of their income towards rental costs. Approved clients receive assistance 12 months per year with no definite ending period as long as he/she qualifies.

Chicago Low Income Trust Fund
Dedicated to providing financial assistance to meet the housing needs of Chicago’s low income residents, the Rental Subsidy Program provides rent subsidies to owners of qualified buildings or developments located within the City of Chicago. The program provides eligible individuals living with HIV, long- and short-term rental subsidies are made available on an as-needed basis. Subsidies are disbursed to households earning less than 30 percent of the area’s annual median income.
    ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
     
    Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)
    Emergency assistance is available through TPAN to low income individuals and families requesting immediate, temporary financial assistance with an incurred expense. EAP is a $250 maximum payment for an essential service, including rent, utilities, or a necessary appliance. Proof of bill or payment required. Client may only apply for EAP once every 12 months.
     
    Housing and Utility Assistance
    Housing and utility assistance is available through TPAN as a single payment to landlord or utility company. Approved requests may pay for one utility bill and/or security deposit or first month’s rent. Clients may only apply once every 12 months.
     

    Short-Term Residency (Housing Assistance Program, HAP)
    TPAN can facilitate short-term support is made available to mortgagors, as bi-monthly payments to cover mortgage and utility costs. Approved clients receive assistance for 1 year and may reapply annually. Clients may apply once every 12 months.

    LOOKING FOR A HOUSING REFERRAL?
     
    Chicago House and AIDS Foundation of Chicago can assist those who are unstably housed to find temporary and low income housing.
     
     

    For more information about TPAN's housing program, contact Fonzy Treviño at 773-989-9400 x237 or a.trevino@tpan.com.

    For more information about TPAN's housing assistance program, contact Fonzy Treviño at 773-989-9400 x237 or a.trevino@tpan.com.

    Legal Assistance Clinic

    Legal Days at TPAN

    TPAN hosts weekly one-on-one legal assistance sessions with an on-site representative from The Legal Council of Health Justice (formerly AIDS Legal Council of Chicago). TPAN clients have the opportunity to speak with lawyer one-on-one about specific, immediate needs and receive appropriate referrals. These sessions are available on Thursday, 1 - 5 PM.

    Clients can receive assistance with:

    legal questions
    discrimination or mistreatment regarding HIV status
    healthcare
    social security
    estate planning
    signing up for further services at the Council
     

    Legal assistance is available Thursdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments are preferred, but walk-in clients can be seen if there is availability.

    Visit the Legal Council's website for resources concerning AIDS-related laws, and to request assistance if you or someone you know has been discriminated against for your HIV status. 

    To schedule an appointment at TPAN, contact Marina Kurakin, 312-605-1982 or marina@legalcouncil.org. 
    IL

    TEAM

    TEAM (Treatment Adherence Education Managment)

    KNOWLEDGE. COMMUNITY. POWER.

    Knowledge is power. And the knowledge that you are part of a connected community can give you strength. TPAN’s TEAM program empowers people living with HIV to: understand the basic science behind HIV infection; find/continue conscientious health care and begin/continue effective treatment; manage the infection and prevent secondary infection; explore personal issues surrounding HIV such as stigma and disclosure; and become advocates for self and/or community. 

    NEW VIRTUAL FORMAT in 2020: TEAM has been adapted and updated to create an online environment that is safe, supportive, and connected to you. The core components are in tune with the physical, medical, and emotional needs of HIV-positive individuals today. Best of all, TEAM is fun!

    Registration is required to participate. 

    TEAM (Treatment Education Adherence Management)
    More Info
    To learn more and to register, contact Kevin Bernal at 773-989-9400 x 239, k.bernal@tpan.com or Christina Joly at 773-989-9400 x 208, c.joly@tpan.com.

    Group Support

    You ARE NOT ALONE

    Looking to find your community? Whether you're searching for peer support or a therapeutic program facilitated by a licensed counselor, TPAN hosts a group meeting that will fit your goals and experience. Our groups provide community, information, perspective, and resources for those living with HIV.

    TPAN hosts specific groups for:

    • long-term survivors
    • newly diagnosed
    • HIV-positive Men over 45
    • HIV-positive Women
    • HIV-positive African American Men
    • young HIV-positive men
    • recovering substance users
    • aspiring artists
    • those looking to better understand their diagnosis

    Groups meet regularly at TPAN's offices. To learn more about TPAN's group support for those living with HIV, review our full list of groups or contact Christina Joly, 773-989-9400 x 208

    For more information about our groups, contact Christina at 773-989-9400 x 208.