Western Colorado Aids Project

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do you call if you have a question about HIV disease?

The WestCAP Prevention/Education staff can answer a variety of questions about HIV disease and who is at risk and what
constitutes a risk. They can address groups or individuals of
varying ages and concerns. They can talk to you about how to
keep yourself safe and when and where you can get an HIV test if you feel you have been at risk of exposure to HIV disease.

If you have questions for them, you may reach them by e-mail
(click here for our Staff page) or by phone at 970-243-2437
or 1-800-765-8594. If a Prevention Staff member is not available, please leave a detailed message in their confidential voice mail.

Who needs a Case Manager and what can a Case Manager do for you?

People who are HIV+ and want to become a WestCAP client need a case manager. Your case manager is your guide to the care and services you need if you are living with HIV disease. When you are dealing with an emergent issue, your case manager is the one who can direct you to the service providers who can best help you. That may mean housing, health care, mental health counseling, or a variety of other areas in which you may need assistance. Sometimes negotiating the complicated world of service providers can be made much easier with an expert guide. Case managers have experience in dealing with landlords, health care providers, insurance companies, medication assistance programs and much, much more.

Click here for WestCAP's Calendar

Special thanks to:
Energy Outreach Colorado

When you are feeling well and your living conditions are fairly stable, your case manager can help you think through a plan to maintain your health and stability. They will help you put together a plan for dealing with emergencies and direct you to supportive services. Because they have helped people with a wide variety of needs, they can talk to you about services that you need now and what you may need in the future.

What if I want to become a WestCAP client?

If you are HIV+ and live in one of the 22 counties in our western Colorado service area, we invite you to become a WestCAP client. There is no cost to you to become a client and you will not be charged any fees to receive case management services.

We offer confidential, respectful services and Spanish-speaking services are available. Once you have completed the intake process with a case manager, they can work with you to develop a personalized care plan. You may reach the Director of Client Services by phone at 970-243-2437 or 1-800-765-8594; if the Director is not available, please leave a detailed message in the confidential voice mail.

How do I work with my Case Manager?

No relationship is easy - including the one with your case manager. Here are some tips that can not only make your experience a better one, but can also more quickly put you on the road to becoming your own case manager:

Keep your appointments - or if you can't, call first.
Be on time - your case manager wants to help you, but most likely has many other clients to help on any given day and travels a very large service region to meet with clients in outlying areas.
Keep in contact - otherwise you may miss out on new services. You don't have to have a reason or a need to call.
Know your medical history - keep a record and let your case manager know when things have changed.
Don't accept everything your case manager says as law - be a partner in this relationship. Only you know what's best for you. Make sure your case manager knows and respects your feelings.
Focus on wellness, not on 'what I get' - case managers focus not on what services they can give you but on how you are doing overall.
Know what you want - be clear about what you will or won't accept. This helps the case manager individualize services to your needs.
Ask for what you want - case managers may not offer you a benefit they don't know you need.
Find a case manager with whom you feel comfortable - and work with them to foster a close working relationship.