Friday, April 19, 2024
4/19/2024
Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA), in tandem with community partners, will implement the South LA Prevention Navigator Program to expedite services such as training and education around the risks of substance misuse and HIV/AIDS, and linkages to services and follow-up for racial/ethnic minority individuals at the highest risk for HIV and SUD in Los Angeles County, CA, Service Planning Area 6, with a focus on youth/young adults ages 13-24. Population: The project will target racial and ethnic minority individuals at the highest risk for HIV and SUD, with a particular focus on youth/young adults ages 13-24, and may include but is not limited to persons experiencing economic and health disparities, homelessness, identify as LGBTQ, and live in areas with high rates of drug use as targeted to Service Planning Area 6, South Los Angeles, one of the designated areas hardest hit by HIV. SPA 6 has LA’s largest number of youth ages 12-17, largest minority population at 97.6%, and an LGBTQ population of 9.5% (40% for homeless youth). SPA 6 also has high rates of poverty, crime, drug use, and HIV. Interventions: The project will develop a multi-prong approach to coordinating community-based substance misuse and HIV prevention education and an awareness campaign as well as helping individuals access HIV and viral hepatitis testing, and navigation and follow-up services to ensure they are engaged and retained in care. Integrated into these strategies are the EBPs of the Strategic Prevention Framework, Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum to reduce HIV risk, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development. Goals & Objectives: The project will serve 200 persons in Year 1 and 300 annually in Years 2-5 for a total of 1,400. Goals for the targeted population include: 1) Increase access to training/education on substance misuse (SM)/HIV/AIDS by implementing evidence-based community prevention programs along with increased prevention messaging; 2) Increase access to SUD/HIV screening, treatment and services by conducting an evidence-based navigation approach to expedite care; and 3) Improve SUD/HIV/AIDS prevention strategies by implementing infra-structure development with the community. Objectives will be accomplished by the end of each year as project staff will: 1) expose 200 in Year 1/300 annually in Years 2-5 to SM prevention education, and HIV risk factor/risk reduction education; 2) educate 70% to identify at least 2 risk factors for HIV related to substance use; 3) educate 70% who report no use of alcohol at pre-test to remain non-users at post-test; 4) educate 60% to rate the risk of harm from SM as great; 5) at least 20% of all who participate in services will complete testing for HIV/viral hepatitis; 6) provide linkages to treatment with follow-up navigation services to all who test positive for HIV/viral hepatitis; 7) provide linkages to treatment/recovery with follow-up navigation services to all who may have identified SM; 8) conduct quarterly PMT/CQI meetings to coordinate/monitor services, linkages to care, infrastructure, and goals/objectives/outcomes; and 9) increase coordination with entities engaged in responding to SM/HIV/AIDS prevention services by 25%.
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).
