Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Empowerment Resource Center submits this grant application for the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP Program) under SAMHSA FY 2024 Syndemic Approach to Preventing HIV and Substance Use Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities (Short title: Syndemic Approach to Prevention) NOFO No. SP-24-004. Under the ICP Program, Empowerment Resource Center (ERC) will implement alternative models of service delivery and integration of services and programs in support of a syndemic model. The ICP Program will improve access to evidence-based, timely, and culturally appropriate mental health (MH) and substance use (SU) intervention, services, and treatment for underrepresented racial and ethnic minority adults struggling with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD), who are living with or at high risk of HIV, viral hepatitis (VH) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) and residing in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Under the ICP Program, ERC will place a priority focus on all Black female identities, including cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer/fluid individuals, who are at risk for or currently struggling with SUD and/or COD, and one or more of the following experiences: (1) depressive, self-injurious, or risk-taking behaviors; (2) history of trauma with extremely high Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores; (3) uninsured or underinsured; or (4) unemployed or underemployed, regardless of income or ability to pay. During the course of the HIV epidemic in the United States, Black/African American women have been disproportionately affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 50% of women who received a new HIV diagnoses were Black/African American. Pre-exposure Prophylax (PrEP) is a proven strategy to reduce HIV transmission. Conversely, there is less awareness and uptake among cisgender Black women. CDC statistics indicate that only 4.4% of Black/African American women who would benefit from PrEP received treatment. Furthermore, the dual diagnoses of HIV infection and SUD/COD is a growing concern and augments HIV transmission. According to the CDC, alcohol and drug misuse can alter judgment and lead to risky sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of getting or transmitting HIV. The Georgia NHBS indicated that 32% of respondents did not know the HIV status of their sexual partners and 41% had concurrent sexual relationships. Through the ICP Program, ERC will implement innovative approaches to prevention systems and services and improve the availability of and accessibility high-quality mental health (MH) and substance use (SU) interventions and treatment, targeting racial and ethnic minority individuals in Atlanta. ERC will increase capacity to reach individuals in nontraditional and unconventional prevention spaces through partnerships with community anchors and expand the SUD/COD continuum of care in Atlanta. ERC, located in Atlanta Fulton County), GA, is a not-for-profit, community-based organization with a valid IRS 501(C)(3) status. Services will be provided on-site and via telehealth. ERC is an approved behavioral health provider, offering substance use treatment and mental health therapy services for underserved Georgians through the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Shaniqua Smith, LCSW will serve as the ICP Program Director. ERC is a non-residential outpatient facility and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and permitted by the Georgia Department of Community Health, Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Program. Jacqueline Brown is the CEO and will serve as Principle Investigator.
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).
