The Planning Council

The San Antonio Area HIV Health Services Planning Council was established in 1994. Its responsibility is to determine the needs of the HIV affected community within the San Antonio TGA (Transitional Grant Area) and to develop priorities and set percentages of funds.The purpose of the Planning Council is to ensure the availability of quality comprehensive health and social services to individuals affected by the HIV epidemic.

San Antonio's Planning Council is a 30-member planning body made up of volunteer community members who have been appointed by the Chief Elected Official (CEO) of Bexar County, the County Judge of Bexar County, Texas, to serve a two-year term. The CEO appoints individuals who have a wide range of viewpoints and expertise they can bring to the Council. These individuals include health care providers, public health officials, consumers, people of various race and ethnic orientations, as well as people from different parts of theTGA. At least one-third (33%) of the Planning Council members must be people living with HIV.  These members bring the consumer's point of view to Planning Council discussions. Council members typically commit two to ten hours a month to attend Council and Committee meetings.

Our Mission

To create a broad-based community response to the HIV epidemic affecting people within the Transitional Grant Area and to ensure the availability and coordination of high quality, comprehensive health and social services to individuals infected or affected by HIV.

"Working Together, we can make a difference."

The San Antonio Transitional Grant Area

Part A funds go to local areas that have been hit hardest by the HIV epidemic. These areas are called eligible metropolitan areas (EMAs) or Transitional Grant Areas (TGAs). Part A money goes to the Chief Elected Official (CEO) of the major city or county government in the EMA or TGA. The San Antonio TGA, which is comprised of Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Wilson counties, annually receives approximately $4.5 million in Ryan White Part A funds. In the San Antonio TGA, the Honorable Nelson W. Wolff, Bexar County Judge, serves as the CEO and is responsible for administering the program. As a requirement for receiving Ryan White Part A funds, the County Judge has established the San Antonio Area HIV Health Services Planning Council.

Leadership of the Planning Council

The Council elects two Co-Chairs and a Vice Chair, to each serve a two-year term. The Co-Chairs of the Planning Council will then select members to chair each of the five committees, and will assign members to work on one or more of the committees.