Cable Positive's Employee Assistance Program is a free and confidential
program that provides emergency financial and ongoing social services
assistance to current and former industry employees and their immediate
family members/domestic partners who are living with HIV/AIDS. Grants are
awarded for essential living expenses including medical care, utilities, and
housing.
For more information, call The Actors' Fund of America, who administers
Cable Positive's Assistance Fund at 1.800.221.7303.
In New York and Los Angeles please call:
New York: 212.221.7303
Los Angeles: 323.933.9244
What is the Employee Assistance Program?
Cable Positive's Employee Assistance Program is a partnership between Cable
Positive and The Actors' Fund of America. The program provides emergency
financial aid and client services to eligible cable television industry
employees who are living with HIV/AIDS and their family members/domestic
partners.
What is The Actors' Fund of America?
Founded in 1882, The Actors' Fund of America is the only national, nonprofit
human service organization that provides for the welfare of all
entertainment professionals in television, film radio, music, opera and
dance, as well as theatre. The Fund provides comprehensive social services,
vocational counseling and supportive housing, with offices in New York City,
Chicago and Los Angeles.
What services does Cable Positive's Employee Assistance
Program offer?
The Cable Positive Assistance Program provides access to The Actors' Fund's
comprehensive social services, along with confidential financial assistance,
to current and former cable industry employees who are living with HIV/AIDS
and their family members/domestic partners. The program can help pay
emergency costs for health insurance, medical care, rent, utilities, travel
and other essential living expenses.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible to receive free and confidential emergency financial and
ongoing social services assistance through Cable Positive’s Employee
Assistance Program if you meet the following criteria:
- You currently have an HIV or AIDS diagnosis.
- You are a cable industry employee, defined as a person who works for a
cable television industry-related company (cable programmer, network,
system, trade organization, trade press/publication, cable
hardware/equipment and manufacturer), or has been employed by a cable
company or production company supplying cable programming.
- You have worked in the cable industry for a minimum of one year during the
past 10 years or immediately prior to the onset of disability; OR you are
employed in any of the following professional services acting, directing,
stage managing, costume, choreography, etc. for production of cable
programming AND have worked in above position(s) for a minimum of 26 weeks,
earning at least $10,000.
- OR you are an immediate family member (spouse/domestic partner, parent,
child, brother, sister) of an eligible cable industry member that meets the
above criteria for employment and length of service.
Are services confidential?
Yes. All services are absolutely confidential.
What is provided by the AIDS Initiative?
The Fund's AIDS Initiative provides comprehensive human services, including
case management and financial assistance, to eligible cable industry members
who are living with HIV/AIDS and their families/domestic partners.
Professional social workers provide crisis intervention, information and
referral to community and industry resources, and advocacy with government
or private benefits and entitlements. Staff when needed make home and
hospital visits. Individual, couple, family and group counseling is offered
as well as referrals for affordable and specialized mental health and
chemical dependency services. Actors' Fund staff assists individuals
addressing a range of issues including financial management, medical
services, health insurance, housing, and legal issues.
Does the Program offer support groups and seminars?
The Program offers support groups for persons with HIV/AIDS. Care partner
groups are available for family members, partners and friends. There are
bereavement groups for those coping with the loss of a loved one. Seminars
are offered throughout the year around issues such as health care,
medications, holistic therapies, financial management, estate planning, and
other HIV-related topics.
What kind of financial assistance is available?
Grants are approved on a case-by-case basis. Emergency financial assistance
may be available for rent, health insurance, medical care, mental health
services, food and utilities.
What is the Program's AIDS Training and Education
Project?
The AIDS Training and Education Project is a new return-to-work program. The
project combines social services with career counseling and vocational
retraining for persons with HIV/AIDS. Individuals are helped to assess
appropriate work considering their health status, the impact of giving up
disability benefits, and income needs. Financial plans are developed, and
clients are advised of regulations regarding work incentive programs, trial
work periods and benefits management.
Does the Program provide supportive housing
for persons with AIDS?
The Actors' Fund has affordable housing residents available to Cable
Positive clients on both coasts. In New York City, The Aurora residence a
30-story apartment building on West 57th Street, dedicates 60 of its 178
units to persons with AIDS. Health and social services are provided on-site.
The Palm View residence, a 40-unit garden apartment complex for persons with
AIDS, is conveniently located in West Hollywood. There are one - and - two
bedroom apartments available for individuals and families.
How do you apply for Cable Positive's Employee
Assistance Program?
For an application or more information, please call The Actors' Fund of
America at 1.800. 221-7303, or contact our offices in New York at
212.221.7303 or Los Angeles at 323.933.9244.
