Saturday, November 23, 2024
11/23/2024
The purpose of the proposed project is to expand access to treatment services for those with SUD and/or COD who are either at risk for HIV or who are currently living with HIV/AIDS. The proposed expansion will target homeless, low-income and/or uninsured African-American and Hispanic heterosexuals and MSM. If approved, this cooperative agreement will allow Mercy Care to offer a full complement of substance abuse services including assessment, treatment, individual and group counseling and psychosocial education. SBIRT and motivational interviewing, will be incorporated into the programming; both have been identified as particularly effective among the target population in supporting positive outcomes. Supervised by the Project Director, the following positions will be added to provide these services: Behavioral Health Specialist (1.0 FTE), Substance Abuse Counselor (1.0 FTE), and Peer Specialist (1.0 FTE). The expanded program will be piloted at Mercy Care at Decatur Street and Mercy Care at the City of Refuge, where Mercy Care's full continuum of HIV programming are co-located, offering access to the target population. Collaboration with CaringWorks and Action Ministries/Breakthru House will allow for placements of those needing substance abuse rehabilitation. Specific program objectives include the following: • Provide substance abuse screenings via SBIRT to at least 75% of new patients and patients not seen in the past year during each budget period. • Offer a referral for a full substance abuse assessment to 100% of patients screening positive for substance use during each budget period. • Provide an HIV Screen to at least 50% of patients 13 and older, who do not already have a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS during each budget period. • At least 40% of patients screening positive for HIV will be linked to care within 90 days of their first HIV diagnosis during each budget period. • At least 95% of patients with an HIV diagnosis will be screened for Hepatitis B and C during each budget period. • At least 80% of clients linked to HIV care for at least 12 months will complete the Hepatitis B vaccine series. • At least 75% of clients with a HIV will have a viral load less than 200 copies/mL on his/her last viral load test during each budget period. • During each budget period, at least 60% of depressed patients seen for ongoing therapeutic services will see a decrease by 50% or have a most recent PHQ9 score <10. It is anticipated that approximately 7,500 clients will be served during Year 1. An estimated 40,621 individuals will be served over the course of the five-year grant funding period.
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).
