Ethnic and racial minority groups in the U.S., especially those with serious mental illness (SMI) or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (COD), continue to experience high rates of HIV and hepatitis infections. Building on the resources and expertise of Howard University's Mental Health Clinic (HU-MHC) and Center for Infectious Disease Management and Research (CIDMAR) and the Family Medical and Counseling Services, Inc. (FMCS), this project will create a mobile team of experts and provide evidence-based models of care - STIRR model (Screening, Testing, Immunication, Reducing risk, and Referring for treatment of HIV and hepatitis infection) and the IDDT model (Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment for people with co-occurring disorders) - to patients with SMI or COD living with or at risk for HIV or hepatitis who receive treatment at HU-MHC, CIDMAR, or FMCS. Howard University has a long and distinguished history of leadership and provision of humane services for ethno-racial minorities and other stigmatized groups for over 150 years; FMCS is a leading provider of primary care, HIV, and hepatitis treatment in Washington, D.C. Wards 7 and 8, medical and mental health resource shortage areas with a predominantly African American population that has the greatest SMI, COD, HIV, and hepatitis prevention and treatment needs.
The Howard University Minority AIDS Network Effort (HUMANE) Project will address major gaps in services at HU-MHC -specifically, a lack of HIV and hepatitis prevention service, case management, or peer support services - and at CIDMAR and FMCS - specifically the lack of services to engage patients with SMI or COD in treatment for SMI or COD.
The specific aims of the HUMANE Project are:
Aim 1. Assemble a mobile team of experts plus a case manager and peer support specialist, all with expertise in the STIRR and IDDT models.
Aim 2. Deliver STIRR and IDDT in HU-MHC and provide IDDT services in CIDMAR and FMCS by augmenting existing services with training, supervision, and direct service provision from the mobile team.
Aim 3. Provide an independent evaluation of model fidelity, service outcomes, and implementation issues in HU-MHC, CIDMAR, and FMCS. Fidelity will be based on established measures. Outcomes will include specific targets for numbers of patients receiving STIRR and IDDT services and mixed methods evaluation of implementation issues to facilitate sustainability and dissemination.