Saturday, November 23, 2024
11/23/2024
Recovery Consultants of Atlanta, Inc., (RCA) will implement a Prevention Navigator project to expand rapid HIV initiatives for minorities at the highest risk for substance misuse (SU) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The project will include a HIV prevention awareness campaign and technical training for SU treatment providers about HIV prevention/clinical care for their clients. RCA will target HIV prevention services to adults, ages 18 and older, heterosexuals, men sleeping with men (MSM) and drug users (including injection users) at the highest risk for HIV infection and transmission living in Fulton and DeKalb counties in Atlanta, Georgia. Key government agencies have included both counties among those hardest hit by the HIV epidemic. RCA’s project will implement prevention strategies for HIV testing and linkage, HIV prevention awareness and provider training. The project will offer rapid HIV screening/testing through three access points 1) via mobile van visits to high risk neighborhoods, 2) at faith-based and community partner sites and 3) at the Community Health Center. A lead navigator will use ARTAS interventions to link HIV positive clients to medical care and link HIV negative clients with PrEP interventions and prevention education. Clients will have assistance from the outreach and enrollment specialist to register for health insurance to cover treatment and care. RCA will integrate peer support from a certified addiction recovery empowerment specialist (CARES) who will use personal stories of recovery to motivate clients to stay in treatment and follow medication adherence. A health communication specialist will design a HIV awareness campaign and implement weekly social media postings and regular use of traditional print and broadcast mediums. The central messaging will focus on the importance of HIV screening/testing, risks for HIV transmission/infection and prevention strategies. RCA will sponsor semi-annual training for SU treatment providers about the importance of HIV testing and critical care for their SU clients who receive HIV positive results. The project goals are 1) expanding sites and frequency of rapid HIV testing; 2) linking clients with HIV medical care (starting/staying in treatment), attaining viral suppression, and services for partners who are SU or have unprotected sex; (3) offering semi-annual training to develop SU treatment providers with knowledge for vital HIV intervention, treatment, and supplemental care; and (4) an awareness campaign through scheduled social media and print communications targeted to the PoF about the health risks of SU and HIV transmission. RCA’s Prevention Navigator project will measure its performance by providing rapid HIV screening/testing for 360 individuals per year, 1,800 over the lifetime of the project and retain 90% of HIV positive clients in medical treatment.
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).
