Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA) proposes implementation of the SAMHSA)HIV Prevention Navigator Program with the ultimate goal of preventing substance use disorders and HIV for those at highest risk in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Orleans Parish has been identified as an area hardest hit by the HIV epidemic. VOASELA is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with 120 years’ experience in providing holistic services, addressing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable populations. It’s broad portfolio of programming includes child and youth services, priority veterans services, offender reentry programs, addiction treatment, affordable housing, employment and training, and services for the intellectually and developmentally disabled. VOASELA will implement Say It Straighttm (SIS), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Love Notes 3.0, evidence-based programs and practices, recognized by SAMHSA, that are designed to empower communication within, between, and among youth and adults at home, at school and at work; and, they are designed to engage with youth as an equal partner promoting positive behavioral change. Youth participants will receive 7-9 education sessions in schools, juvenile justice centers and community-based settings after school, evenings and weekends. Topics include life skills, team building, blame, bullying, positive support and communication skills. VOASELA’s Lead Navigator will attend a 5 day training to become certified to provide the SIS intervention. Workbooks, videos and journals will be purchased to supplement this evidence-based intervention. Motivational Interviewing (MI) and components of Love Notes 3.0 will also be used to gather initial assessment information and supplement educational sessions. VOASELA requests $999,800 over five years to partner with healthcare, schools, justice and court systems, social services and the faith community to implement comprehensive community based substance misuse and prevention strategies. VOASELA will 1) develop and implement public messaging and awareness campaigns on the risk of substance misuse among individuals at-risk of acquiring HIV, the importance of seeking care and treatment, risk behaviors associated with acquiring HIV; and 2) provide health navigation, linkages and referrals about the risks of HIV/STDs and substance misuse to youth (ages 14-19). VOASELA will target socioeconomically disadvantaged youths, including African-American youth who are at highest risk for HIV and substance use disorders. VOASELA projects serving 255 youth over five years (35 in Year 1, and 55 in Year 2 through Year 5, for an average of 5 to 7 months). Project goals, objectives, and outcomes include 1) increase the capacity to reduce high-risk behaviors of youth 14-19 that may contribute to substance misuse and/or HIV; 2) increasing community awareness and knowledge of substance misuse among individuals at highest risk of acquiring HIV; and 3) increasing linkage and referrals among those at highest risk and those living with HIV.
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).
