Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program - Description of Proposed Project and Needs to be Addressed: Pinnacle Family Health, Inc. (“PFH”), formerly Greater Ouachita Coalition Providing AIDS Resources and Education, Inc., d/b/a GO CARE Community Health Center, is a nonprofit organization located in West Monroe, Louisiana, founded in 1988 as an HIV service organization and designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike in November 2019. PFH has been a Part C EIS grantee since 2001 and moved its clinic in-house in June 2015; since that time, PFH has provided medical care to over 2,260 unduplicated people with HIV (PWH) and, since January 2024, has already provided medical services to 744 PWH through 04/30/2024. PFH proposes to continue providing high-quality, comprehensive outpatient medical care to PWH in Northeast Louisiana through its Part C EIS clinic. The overall goal of this project is to maintain a comprehensive system providing superior outpatient medical care and supportive services to ensure all PWH in Northeast Louisiana have equal access to care and equity in health outcomes. Proposed Services: Services provided through the EIS clinic will include comprehensive outpatient medical care, laboratory diagnostic testing, oral health care, medical case management, mental health/substance use assessments and counseling, linkage to care, and an ongoing continuous quality improvement program. PFH also provides Ryan White Part B/HOPWA support services including non-medical case management, health education/risk reduction, outreach, referrals, emergency financial assistance, housing, medical transportation, psychosocial support, food vouchers, linguistic services, mental health services, Short-Term Rent, Mortgage and Utilities assistance, Permanent Housing Placement, and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. Population Group(s) to be Served: The Northeast Louisiana service area (Region 8) includes the parishes of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll. The area is rural with a largely agrarian-based economy, a high incidence of poverty, and a population exhibiting characteristics of being medically underserved. The Louisiana Office of Public Health data indicates that the incidence rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Region 8 was 19.3 per 100,000 for 2022. This region ranked 4th highest in infection rates in the state. As of December 31, 2023, there were a reported 1,255 people living with HIV in Northeast Louisiana. Over 48% of those reported have an AIDS diagnosis. The proposed project will target all individuals living with HIV ages 16 and older, including those from high-risk populations.
