Special Health Resources for Texas

The Special Health Resources office in Paris, Texas, houses the case management and primary care services for persons with HIV/AIDS. Our knowledgeable staff are committed to providing quality care to our clients while also educating them about their illness and how to manage it. It is important to understand that an HIV diagnosis is not a death sentence. Individuals can and do go on to live normal lives. HIV is a chronic disease much like diabetes or hypertension and if you follow your doctor's instructions and take care of yourself there's no reason you can't live a long, happy life. Services that we offer our clients include but are not limited to:

Comprehensive Medical Care
Medical Case Management Services
Prevention and Education
Perinatal Services
HIV Early Intervention for Substance Abusers
Dental Care
Temporary and Long-Term Housing Assistance
Transportation Services
and much more.......

Our office also offers FREE, confidential testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and Syphilis the first and third Thursday of every month. Please contact our office for additional information and/or testing times at (903)785-0078. You can also find all testing sites within your area at http://www.hivtest.org. For general questions about HIV testing and who should get tested, you can also visit http://www.hivtest.org/faq.cfm#stdtest

Persons with HIV/AIDS who are in need of case management and primary health care should contact this office in order to be evaluated for and enrolled in services with the agency. You can reach us at (903)785-0078; we are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm (closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm). Once you schedule an intake appointment with us, you will need to provide the following at your initial visit:

Proof of HIV Positivity (Western Blot)
Proof of Identity (Drivers License/Employee Badge/Student ID.....must include picture)
Proof of Residency- (Current lease/utility bill/pay stub......must include your name)
Proof of Income- (Payroll stubs/SS award letter/Food Stamp letter......)
Proof of Insurance, if applicable
Social Security card (if available)

At your Intake you will be required to fill out several forms and our case manager will administer several assessments. You can expect to be here for approximately 2.5-3 hours for this process.

Our Paris office staff includes the following:

Martha Adams - LVN

Hope Hughes - Medical Case Manager / Coordinator Assistant / Transportation Aide

Map to Office:

Additional information and forms for Special Health clients......please click this link

UPCOMING EVENTS

Contact your MCM to sign up to attend any of the following:

CAB MEETING

November 8th, 2011 - Longview, Texas

Rural Partners Meeting

November 16th, 2011 - Lufkin ,Texas

Priorities & Allocations Forum

November 29th, 2011 - Texarkana, Texas

WORLD AIDS DAY 2011 - FACING AIDS

Our hope is that this site will be a wealth of information and a frequently-used reference tool for any questions you may have regarding services available to you. We have tried to list as many resources available as possible but certainly some will be missed. Please contact our office to speak with your Case Manager anytime you are needing more assistance and/or if you know of any additional resources that might be added to make our site even more informative.

STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES

Paris Office Location

Open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

Mirabeau Square Shopping Center

3588 Lamar Avenue

Paris, TX 75460

1-(888)-619-4772 or (903)785-0761

To get information about and/or apply for Social Security Disability, SSI and Medicare:

https://www.socialsecurity.gov/

To check the status of your application ⇒ https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/IAPS/applicationStatus

To request additional copies of your benefits award letter ⇒https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/BEVE/main.html

Information on applying for SSDI ⇒ http://www.cms.gov/apps/firststep/content/ssdi-qa.html

For information about Medicaid, Food Stamps and additional services:

To apply for benefits ⇒ https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/wps/portal

http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/help/index.html ⇒ Use this link for eligibility and requirements for applying for the following:

Food Stamps, Medicaid, CHIPS, TANF, etc.

Contact numbers for Texas Medicaid ⇒ http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/contacts.html

Texas Department of State Health Services Home

For information about HIV Medication Program and numerous other services:

Aids Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for Texas main page ⇒ http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds/default.shtm

ADAP Application (English) http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds/PDF/clientapp.pdf

ADAP Application (Spanish) http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds/PDF/cliappsp.pdf

County Indigent Health Care Program (eligibility requirements and where to apply) ⇒ http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/CIHCP/default.shtm

Coverage for those without sufficient income that aren't eligible for Medicaid

Contact your local County Indigent Care Program office to apply - check the above website if your county isn't listed below.

LAMAR COUNTY

       Shirley Fults County Treasurer
       119 N Main
       Paris, TX 75460
       Phone: 903/737-2418
       Fax: 903/784-4421
       Email: treasurer_lamar_tx@yahoo.com

HOPKINS COUNTY

       Hopkins Co Memorial Hosp Dist
       Cindy Smithers IHCP Coordinator
       PO Box 275
       Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
       Phone: 903/439-4069
       Fax: 903/439-4801
       Email: cindysm@hcmh.com

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

MEDICAID

Call 1-877-633-8747 to schedule your ride (Call 2 working days prior to appointment for in-town / 5 working days for out of town)

Call 1-800-256-9030 to be picked up after your appointment

Medicaid Transportation Numbers and Information ⇒ http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/cshcn/mtp.shtm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .... http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/QuickAnswers/GetRide_FAQs.shtml

IF you don't have Medicaid and need transportation services, call TRAX at 903-739-9381 in Lamar County or visit the link below for additional information

http://www.atcog.org/trax.htm

DADS local Intake office 1-877-317-2121

This agency provides counseling for senior citizens and disabled individuals.

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/ - Main site to check program availability and eligibility.

LONE STAR LEGAL AID

Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals

http://lonestarlegal.org/

LOCAL AGENCIES AND SERVICES

Dial 2-1-1 from your touch-tone phone to locate local services or you can visit their website at https://www.211texas.org/211/

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Caring Food Partners

2305 NW Loop 286

Paris, TX 75460

(903)272-3123 or (903)784-3123

Downtown Food Pantry (903)785-4557

Food Stamp Office (903)785-7541

King's Daughters

120 E Kaufman

Paris, TX 75460

(903)785-3563

Provides help to the needy of all ages with food, medicine and transportation to medical facilities

Lamar County Human Resource Council

1273 NW 19th St

Paris, TX 75460

(903)784-2580

http://www.lamarcountyhumanresources.org/

Fans, Heaters, Blankets and community food bank to those in need

Meals on Wheels (903)784-2580

Home-delivered meal program provided through the Lamar County Human Resource Council

http://www.mowaa.org/

Salvation Army

350 W Kaufman

Paris, TX 75460

(903)784-7548

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

Provide help with food, clothes, furniture, prescriptions and rent

St Vincent de Paul-Catholic Church

3300 Clarksville St

Paris, TX 75460

(903)272-9267

Provide food baskets to the needy of Lamar County

Christians in Action

325 Clement St

Paris, TX 75460

(903)784-6857

http://www.christians-in-action.com/tindex.htm

Provide food, clothing, utility assistance,etc.

First United Methodist Church

322 Lamar Avenue

Paris, TX 75460

(903)785-4557

Distribute food baskets to those in need.

List of Food Banks by County

http://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/

HOUSING ASSISTANCE and SHELTERS

Housing Authority of Paris

100 George Wright Homes

Paris, TX 75460

(903)784-6651

Housing for Low-Income families or elderly or disabled/Section 8

Search for Section 8 Housing at US Dept of Housing & Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov/local/tx/working/localpo/mfsection8.cfm

Ark-Tex Council of Governments

http://www.atcog.org/housing_assistance.htm

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs

http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us

Texas Housing Counselor

http://www.texashousingcounselor.org

Online form to determine which type of housing is best for you

Paris Habitat for Humanity

(903)783-0599

http://www.habitat.org/cd/kit/homepage.aspx?page=paristx

Cherub House

248 2nd St SW

Paris, TX 75460

(903)783-9986

Emergency Shelter for women & children

SafeT Crisis Center

Paris Outreach Office

(903)783-1313

http://www.safe-tagency.com/Services.asp

For women & children

Salvation Army

(903)784-7548

Lodging available to males & families for up to 12 nights/year, 3 nights at a time; no local residents

UTILITY ASSISTANCE

Salvation Army

(903)784-7548

Provide assistance with rent

NETO

(903)737-8467

Co-Ministry

207 S Church St

Paris, TX 75460

(903)783-0671

Assist families in need with utility bills as well as medical bills

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

Lamar County Health Department

740 6th SW St

Paris, TX 75460

(903)785-4561

Prenatal care / Family planning / immunizations / non-emergency medical visits / STD testing & treatment / WIC

www.Parislamarhealth.com

Health Department Services Directory - www.parislamarhealth.com/userFiles/290/health_and_family_services_directory_09_eng-span.pdf

Lamar County Red Cross

2673 N Main, Suite F

Paris, TX 75460

(903)737-4390

www.lamarcounty.redcross.org

Paris Regional Medical Center

(903)785-4521

North Campus

865 DeShong Drive

Paris, TX 75460

South Campus

820 Clarksville St

Paris, TX 75460

www.parisrmc.com

Planned Parenthood

1735 17th St NE

Paris, TX 75460

(903)784-1301

Birth Control Services / General Health Care / HIV Testing / Pregnancy Testing, Options & Services / STD Testing & Treatment

www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2211

PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE SERVICES

Texas HIV Medication Program

Program applications and guidelines for assistance with HIV medications

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds/default.shtm

Texas HIV State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP)

Program applications and guidelines for assistance with SPAP; program designed to help individuals enrolled in the THMP with their out-of-pocket expenses associated with the Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/meds/spap.shtm

Needy Meds

NeedyMeds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or healthcare costs.

Includes HIV and non-HIV med sites to access RX assistance....

http://www.needymeds.org/index.shtml

Medicare D Prescription Drug Plans

Information to help you choose a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

http://www.medicare.gov/pdphome.asp

WalMart

Link to Walmart's $4 Generic Drug List

http://www.walmart.com/pharmacy

Co-Ministry

207 S Church St

Paris, Tx 75460

(903)783-0671

Call for assistance with prescriptions, mammograms, dental, eye exams and glasses, travel for medical purposes,etc.

Agape House Worldwide

3055 Clarksville St.

Paris, TX 75460

(903)784-5972

http://www.agapehouseworldwide.org

Medical clinic conducted on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 3055 Clarksville Street from 9am-1pm; All services provided free-of-charge on a first come first-served basis.They address all medical conditions including psychiatric and women's health. If they do not have the medicines, they will purchase them for the client at a local pharmacy if they can afford it. Those with chronic conditions with stable medication regimen are provided for by processing the forms to procure these medicines from respective pharmaceutical companies at no charge to the client.

NO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ARE STOCKED, DISPENSED OR PURCHASED FOR ANY CLIENT NO MATTER THE CLIENT'S CONDITION. NO PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ARE ISSUED BY OUR PHYSICIANS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

They hope to provide medical clinic service five days a week by appointment now that they have moved into their new building.

In conjunction with King's Daughters, a local ministry in Paris, Texas, Agape House will split the cost of pulling teeth at a local Dentist office.