The Ryan White Services Division serves as the grantee for the Ryan White Part A grant. The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, of 1990, as amended in 1996 and 2000, was replaced by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006. The legislation was extended in 2009 under President Obama as the Ryan White Treatment Extension Act. Funds from Part A provide direct financial assistance to Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMA) and Transitional Grant Areas (TGA) that have been the most severely affected by the HIV epidemic. The funds are intended to develop or to enhance access to a comprehensive continuum of high quality, community-based care for low-income individuals and families with HIV disease.

A comprehensive continuum of care includes primary medical care and supportive services, which aim to promote health and enhance the quality of life. The HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers the Ryan White Program. Ryan White Part A formula and supplemental grants are awarded to each EMA's Chief Elected Official (CEO). The CEO appoints an HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council and designates a Grantee. The Planning Council establishes priorities and develops a plan for meeting those priorities. The Boston Public Health Commission, the designated Grantee, distribute grant funds according to the priorities established by the Planning Council.

The Client Services Unit provides programmatic support to Ryan White-funded agencies in the Boston EMA. Support includes contract management, monitoring client demographics and service utilization data, working with agencies to maximize distributed funds, and providing technical assistance on grant management and reporting requirements.