Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program - The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) Part C EIS program is currently in year twenty-four of caring for the adult population living with HIV/AIDS in Okaloosa and Walton counties in Area-1 of the Florida panhandle. The most recent Florida Department of Health (FDOH) HIV epidemiological profile report (September 2022) identifies 2380 People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Area-1, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. The number of new HIV cases has risen by 37% from over the past 5 years. Okaloosa and Walton counties, the designated service area, are home to approximately 636 PLWH based on Area-1 cumulative data through December 2022. HIV incidence (number of new cases) has increased in the service area of Okaloosa & Walton counties 73%. The majority of HIV and AIDS cases in Okaloosa and Walton counties are white non-Hispanic, although the Black/African American (AA) and Hispanic/Latino communities are disproportionately incidence affected. HIV incidence increased by 500% and 600% in the Black/AA and Hispanic/Latino communities retrospectively in the service are from 2020-2022. Male to male sexual contact (MMSC) represents the largest proportion of cases among adult cisgender males in all race/ethnicities with an increase of 280%. Although the designated service area is defined as Okaloosa and Walton Counties, our Ryan White Part C clinic provides HIV/AIDS services to anyone living in the Northwest Florida panhandle and currently has patients empaneled from surrounding counties as well. With the number of new HIV cases on the rise, the number of new clients in DOH-Okaloosa Part C program is forecasted to increase significantly as the leading provider of HIV care for uninsured/under-insured individuals in the service area. A medical home model of care represents the philosophy of DOH-Okaloosa’s approach to primary and HIV care. By providing patient-centered, comprehensive, team-based care that is accessible, focused on quality, the healthcare team in partnership with patients can improve health outcomes, increase retention in care and decrease transmission risks. Key services delivered include: comprehensive medical care, therapeutic and diagnostic services, nurse case management, linkage with Part B services, timely linkage of newly diagnosed individuals into care, reengagement into care, individual care coordination including specialty referrals, mental health and nutritional support, expanded access and quality assurance processes. DOH-Okaloosa Ryan White HIV/AIDS Part C Early Intervention Services (EIS) program provides comprehensive patient-centered primary health care for uninsured and underinsured populations. DOH-Okaloosa serves as a safety net provider for other overburdened medical services in the community. Clients seeking medical services with the DOH-Okaloosa Ryan White Part C program are populations that experience disparities in the provision of health care: men who engage in male-to-male sexual contact, people of color, and PLWH who have recently immigrated to Florida and have limited English proficiency. By focusing on high-risk populations for provision of services, DOH-Okaloosa is in a unique position to decrease disparities and health care inequalities. DOH-Okaloosa, also known as the Okaloosa County Health Department, respectfully requests continuation of Ryan White Part C Early Intervention Services Program funding in the amount of $314,935 for established project Grant No. #H76HA00590. The Ryan White Part C clinic, now in its twenty-fourth year, has a distinguished record of providing the highest quality, financially sound, comprehensive primary medical healthcare for consumers of HIV/AIDS services in Okaloosa, Walton, and surrounding counties.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).