Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus announced today that Dutchess County will receive $719,007 from the 2007 federal Ryan White formula grant award.  Ryan White grant funding is sought by the County to support and enhance local community services and programs to serve the health care needs of persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in Dutchess County. 

County Executive Steinhaus said, “I am proud of our County’s long-standing proactive participation in this nationwide initiative to mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is vital to the health of our community that we continue to be vigilant in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  These monies allow us to build our community’s capacity to enhance and develop needed services that are almost impossible to achieve relying solely on local county budget funds.”

Dutchess County became an Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA, a federal statistical area for federal funding purposes) under Title I of the Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act in 1994 and received its first funding in 1995 upon application by County Executive Steinhaus.  Dutchess County is now considered a Transitional Grant Area, along with 38 other jurisdictions in the country. 

The announced 2007 award is based on formula funds. The county is also eligible for supplemental funds under new legislation, which will be announced in coming months. 

The County Executive has assigned the Dutchess County Department of Health (DCDOH) to function as the Administrative Agency for the Ryan White Program and was recently notified of the award by the HRSA.  The Dutchess County HIV Health Services Planning Council (DCHIVHSPC), which is appointed by the County Executive, establishes local service priorities and funding allocations in Dutchess.

A resolution to accept the grant has been forwarded by County Executive Steinhaus to the County Legislature for the March 12, 2007 meeting.