The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) contracts with the United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. to serve as lead agency for seven (7) HIV/AIDS Direct Care Consortia in the State of Alabama. The seven Consortia are the single coordinating entity charged with integrating the delivery of services among the populations of individuals and families with HIV disease. The United Way provides staff support to the designated consortia namely, East Alabama (PHA 5 & 6), North Alabama (PHA 1&2), Central Alabama (PHA 4), West Alabama (PHA 3), Southwest (PHA 7&9), Southeast (PHA 8 &10), and Mobile County (PHA 11).

Funding for these services are provides by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The purpose of all Ryan White CARE Act funds is to ensure that eligible HIV-infected persons and their families gain and/or maintain access to medical care and medications.

United Way through its contract provides managerial guidance and oversight to the seven consortia and their grantees. Specifically, the UWCA manages Consortia funded grantee awards, processes monthly invoices and conducts fiscal and programmatic compliance monitoring. Serving as lead agency and providing staff support to Ryan White Consortia assures a higher level of continuity and communication among the consortia and increase the potential for coordinated approaches to addressing system barriers to services.