Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program - i. Project Abstract Project Title: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C HIV Early Intervention Services Program Applicant Name: Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council (SLAC) dba Comprehensive Care Center of SWLA Address: 425 Kingsley St, Lake Charles, LA 70601 Principal Investigator / Program Director: Terry L. Estes, Executive Director Contact Phone Number: 337/439-5861 / Contact Fax: 337/436-8713 Email Address: terrye@slac.org / Website Address: www.slac.org Summary of Request: This application is for $609,533 to provide early intervention services to people with HIV living in Louisiana Public Health Region 5 which includes Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes that have a combined population of 313,951 (US Census, 2020). SLAC-CCCSWLA has been a recipient of RWHAP Part C HIV Early Intervention Services funding since May 2014 following the dismantlement of the Louisiana State Charity Hospital System. Medical and support services are provided at SLAC-CCCSWLA’s “Common St Clinic” and by sub-recipient, Moss Memorial Health Clinic where the Medical Director/Infectious Disease Specialist and his treatment team are situated. SLAC-CCCSWLA and Moss provide integrated services as part of its HIV care continuum that includes medical, support and social services and housing assistance. The clinics use a patient navigational model of care that “meets patients where they are” and the FACT intervention (find, assess, coordinate, and treat) to link and retain people with HIV in care. Since the early 1990s the service area has been designated by HRSA as being in a Health Professional Shortage Area and a Medically Underserved Area in primary health care, dental and mental health services. SLAC-CCCSWLA is applying for funding preference under Qualification 1. Increased Burden and, 3. Underserved Area as the Common St Clinic and Moss clinics are the only or last source of medical care for underserved people with HIV. The clinics provide HIV medical care and supportive services to 646 people with HIV in the region. Target Population: According to Louisiana Office of Public Heath’s HIV, AIDS and Early Syphilis Surveillance Quarterly Report, December 31, 2023, there were 1,069 people with HIV living in the region – 76% were male, 23% female with 1% transgender women. 53% were Black, Non-Hispanic; 10% Hispanic/Latinx; 35% White, Non-Hispanic, 1% Asian and 1% multi-race. 10% were youth/young adult, aged 13-29; 45% were aged 30-49; and 45% were aged 50-60+. Of the 44 new HIV diagnoses for year-end 2022, 37 were male, 19 of those were Black, Non-Hispanic; 6 were Hispanic/Latinx and 19 were White, Non-Hispanic. 10 new cases were between the ages of 13-24; 18 were between 25-34; 11 were between 35-44 and 5 were over 45 years of age. Problems/Challenges: People with HIV continue to experience lingering community trauma on top of pre-existing trauma as a result of COVID isolation, two Category 4 hurricanes in 2020, and a major storm and flood in 2021. These events have severely impacted the availability of affordable housing with significantly higher costs for housing, dental care, and transportation services. Following these traumatic events there has been more homelessness, fentanyl use, and overdoses, as well as more severe mental health crises. Objectives: The primary goals of the HIV Program are to provide comprehensive quality medical care and support services to people with HIV in the region by facilitating access to medical care and telehealth services; reducing health disparities and addressing social determinants that create barriers to care; and improving overall health outcomes and quality of life. The continuum of care is designed to test, link, and treat people with HIV so they can begin ART therapy to achieve viral suppression and eliminate risk of transmission. Those at high risk are educated and encouraged to use PrEP to eliminate the risk of transmission.
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).