Sunday, May 18, 2025
5/18/2025
Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program - Project Title: Charlotte and DeSoto County Health Department Ryan White Part C EIS Program Applicant Name: DeSoto County Health Department (DCHD) Grant Number: HRSA-25-004 Contact Person: Penny Pringle, Project Director Address: 34 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, FL 34266 Phone: 863-231-6466 Fax: 863-491-7598 Email: Penny.Pringle@flhealth.gov Website Address: www.desoto.flhealth.gov a) Demographics: The combined population of Florida’s Charlotte and DeSoto Counties is just over 220,823 per the 2020 United State Census Bureau. b) Demographics of the HIV/AIDS population in the service area: The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS section collects, analyzes, and disseminates surveillance data to create the HIV Epidemiological Profile. 536 persons with HIV (PWH) resided in the targeted demographic area in 2022. During 2020-2022, 47 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Charlotte and 8 in DeSoto. Thirty eight percent of PWH are persons of color, with Hispanics continuing to grow with Blacks reducing in Charlotte and remaining stationary in DeSoto. The 2018-2022 data reflected as a rate in Charlotte and DeSoto, a increase in Whites and Hispanics and a reduction in Blacks. The transmission category for the new diagnosis from 2018-2022 is male-to-male sexual contact (MMSC) then heterosexual in Charlotte, and heterosexual then MMSC in DeSoto. Intravenous drug use (IDU) is the less frequent transmission in both counties. c) Target populations served: There are currently 212 PWH receiving care in Charlotte and DeSoto Counties through the DeSoto County Health Department (DCHD). DCHD is the only Part B and Part C-funded medical clinic where many uninsured, underinsured, and insured PWH receive services as the HIV primary care and support services access points. African Americans, Hispanics, men having sex with men, and heterosexuals continue to be the most vulnerable of the PWH population in this service area. d) Number of years received Part C funding: July 2012 – April 30, 2025 e) Changes to Part C program: Insurance reform has shifted coverage by private insurance to being predominately covered by Medicaid. As a result, Part C funds are crucial for gaps in Medicaid coverage and those not eligible for plans, are poverty stricken and would not have access to a medical home. f) Challenges and successes in Implementing HIV Care Continuum: Close coordination of services is the contributor for success in meeting performance measures at DCHD. The one stop site is the same building as the ambulatory care provider, meaning face-to-face hand-offs between testing and linkage to care; medical case management occurs as a standard of practice. DeSoto Food and Resource Center is co-located offering food support and application assistance to other benefits. Additional testing occurs at the county jail as well as partnering with other community agencies to offer free testing as a means of prevention. Charlotte and DeSoto County experienced Hurricane Ian in September of 2022 heightening lack of housing and has moved mental health needs to the forefront in our program. g) Key services to be supported by funding request: Early intervention, primary care, and support services focus on identifying new positives HIV/AIDS cases, facilitating early entry into treatment, and supporting retention in treatment target high-risk populations. Core services for PWH include medical care, early intervention services, medical case management, health insurance, oral health care, and substance abuse and mental health treatment coordination. Support services, which include housing, psychosocial support, and food assistance help clients meet basic needs and contribute to viral load suppression, retention in care, and adherence to treatment. h) Amount of funding requested: $272,217
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).