RYAN WHITE TITLE III: EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES - HIV Early Intervention Services (EIS) Program Period of Performance May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2028 Shasta Community Health Center 1035 Placer Street Redding, CA 96001 Project Director: Theresa Blanco, Chief Planning and Development Officer Phone Number: 530.246.5806, Fax Number: 530.245.0863 E-mail Address: tblanco@shastahealth.org, Web Site Address: www.shastahealth.org Funds Requested: $260,500 Part C, under the Ryan White CARE Act Funding Preferences: (1) Increased Burden, 2) Rural Area and (3) Underserved Populations SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Shasta Community Health Center (SCHC), a Federally Qualified Health Center, seeks continued funding to offer comprehensive primary medical care, dental and mental health services, labs, diagnostic studies, and various specialty care referrals for individuals who are HIV/AIDS+ or at risk for HIV in Northern California. Our organization does not receive MAI funds. SCHC serves as the healthcare safety-net for the low-income population in our area, including the mentally ill, disabled, persons living with HIV (PLWH), homeless individuals, and those with substance use issues. In 2023, the clinic attended to 35,820 patients across 153,231 clinical visits. While all Early Intervention Services (EIS) patients (206 active in 2023) benefit from this integrated primary care system, it is through the Ryan White Part C funds that they receive crucial clinical support and case management to enhance health outcomes and ensure care retention. Located in Redding, California, SCHC operates in Shasta County, which spans 3,775 square miles of diverse terrain. According to the 2020 Census, the county's population density is 48.2 persons per square mile, classifying it as rural. Our EIS providers also serve people in the neighboring rural counties of Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, and Modoc, positioning SCHC as a major provider of primary care services for HIV/AIDS patients in Northern California. SCHC’s EIS program, initiated in 2000, began with 33 patients and has since served over 600 individuals with HIV/AIDS. The EIS Program experiences a near-equal turnover of clients each year. Although small, the EIS population reflects the demographics of Shasta County: 88.8% are white and aging, with 49.5% over the age of 53. Economically, 52.9% of our PLWH population lives at or below the federal poverty line and relies on public health benefits or is uninsured. Over the past three years, 10-15% of our active EIS patients were homeless or had unstable housing. This project aims to enhance access and quality of care, improve the referral system for specialty care, and strengthen collaborative partnerships that significantly impact the lives of PLWHA. We are committed to fostering a healthy community through education. Our objectives include: 1. HIV Counseling and Testing: Provide point-of-care testing in the EIS office, along with counseling on risk reduction and PrEP. 2. Targeted Outreach Testing: Conduct testing for incarcerated individuals at the Shasta County Jail and those identified through our homeless outreach programs. 3. Multidisciplinary Teams and Partnerships: Maintain established multidisciplinary teams and collaborative partnerships; continue delivering high-quality HIV/AIDS primary care, including mental health, dental, and nutritional services, as well as screenings for co-infections, substance abuse, and social service needs. 4. Therapeutic Measures: Offer therapeutic interventions to prevent and treat conditions resulting from HIV and immune system deterioration, including treatment adherence counseling, education, support services, and Medical Case Management. 5. Timely Referrals: Provide appropriate and timely referrals through our EIS staff, providers, and Health Information Services referral coordinators. Through these initiatives, SCHC aims to continue providing essential services to the community, ensuring improved health outcomes, and maintaining a robust support system for those affected b
