Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA) is uniquely positioned and qualified to increase engagement in care and reduce high-risk behaviors associated with men having sex with men (MSM) and African American men and women (AAMW) with substance use (SUD) and/or co-occurring mental (COD) disorders who are at risk for HIV or are HIV positive and receive HIV services/treatment. VOASELA, formerly known as Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans (VOAGNO), has served parishes in and around the New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area since 1896. It has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based interventions with a special emphasis on individuals with HIV, SUD and COD, veterans and other vulnerable populations. VOASELA has been serving individuals through Ryan White and HOPWA funding since 1998. In FY2017-18, VOASELA served more than 54,000 individuals. Nationally, Louisiana is ranked 4th for HIV case rates, 5th in the Baton Rouge MSA, and 4th in the New Orleans MSA. African Americans in Louisiana are experiencing a severe health disparity related to HIV, SUD and COD. In 2017, 69% of newly diagnosed HIV cases and 71% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases were African American, with the primary risk factor involving MSM. 25% of all new HIV diagnoses occurred among persons 13-24 and 37% occurred among persons 25-34. These statistics are staggering and demonstrate an unmistakable need for the expansion of the community-based case management/health navigation services focusing on community resources, community outreach, HIV/STD/Hepatitis testing and warm “hand-offs” between social service agencies and medical facilities where SUMSM and AAMW can access services. (December 2018 Louisiana HIV/AIDS, and Early Syphilis Surveillance Quarterly Report) Many SUMSM and AAMW do not seek treatment reinforcing the need to develop interventions outside of traditional treatment settings. Combination approaches SUMSM and AAMW are needed to reduce and/or modify high-risk behaviors. Evidence based practices (EBP) and interventions that will be adopted include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing; Many Men, Many Voices; and the Matrix substance abuse model. These EBPs will be delivered in community-based settings, in 16 parishes in Southeast Louisiana, for SUMSM and AAMW who are at highrisk or have been diagnosed with HIV and could benefit from this program. (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services/Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020) In coordination with the NHAS and Louisiana’s 2017-2021 Integrated HIV Prevention & Care Work Plan, VOASELA’s goals are to reduce the number of new HIV infections, increase access to care, and reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities. VOASELA proposes serving 355 individuals (65 during year 1-2; 75 during years 3-5.)
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).
