Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
SMART (Substance Misuse and Recovery from Trauma) - Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) proposes the SMART (Substance Misuse and Recovery from Trauma) program to provide trauma-informed substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorder (COD) treatment for men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender, and gender non-binary adults of color living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS in the contiguous region of Orange County and Long Beach. SMART will primarily serve north Orange County, including the Theo Lacy Jail, with additional referrals anticipated from the neighboring City of Long Beach (southernmost part of Los Angeles County) as residents commonly cross county boundaries to access services. APAIT, a division of SSG, will utilize the evidence-based LGBTQ+ Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) to provide culturally competent SUD/COD treatment integrated with case management, mental health counseling, and HIV and viral Hepatitis testing, prevention, and treatment services. SSG/APAIT will also create an alumni peer support group, led by a SMART program alum, to promote long-term recovery and address the unmet need for SUD/COD peer support opportunities among the LGBTQ+ community in the geographic catchment area. Through these activities, SSG/APAIT aims to address the disproportionately high rates of HIV/AIDS and SUD/COD among the population of focus, support engagement and retention in care, and address gaps in culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services. SSG/APAIT will serve 60 unduplicated individuals in Year 1 and 80 individuals per year in Years 2-5 for a total of 380 individuals served over the course of the project. The SMART program will achieve the following goals and objectives: Goal 1: Expand access to evidence-based, culturally competent SUD/COD treatment. By the end of year 5, the SMART program will have: (1) provided evidence-based treatment for 380 clients through enrollment in LGBTQ+ TREM; (2) screened and assessed 100% of clients for SUDs and CODs; (3) demonstrated reduced substance use among at least 80% of clients; (4) demonstrated enhanced coping skills among at least 90% of clients; (5) achieved reduced trauma symptoms among at least 80% of clients; and (6) linked 100% of clients to long-term peer support. Goal 2: Increase awareness of HIV and viral Hepatitis status. By the end of year 5, the SMART program will have: (1) completed 950 rapid HIV tests among clients and their sexual and/or drug-using partners; (2) linked 100% of clients who screen positive for HIV to confirmatory testing; (3) completed 475 Hepatitis B and C tests among clients and their sexual and/or drug-using partners; (4) referred 100% of clients to STI testing services; and (5) ensured that 100% of clients who are screened will be aware of their HIV and viral Hepatitis statuses. Goal 3: Increase access to HIV and viral Hepatitis prevention, treatment, and care services. By the end of year 5, the SMART program will have: (1) linked 100% of newly diagnosed clients to HIV medical care within 30 days; (2) linked 100% of clients with previously diagnosed HIV who are not in care to HIV treatment within 30 days; (3) provided referral to PrEP within 30 days for 100% of clients who screen negative for HIV; (4) linked 100% of clients who test positive for viral Hepatitis to appropriate treatment; and (5) offered HIV/STI risk reduction education to 100% of clients. Goal 4: Address medical and psychosocial needs through case management services. By the end of year 5, the SMART program will have: (1) offered case management services to 100% of clients; (2) linked 100% of clients to appropriate support services that meet their needs as identified through a comprehensive assessment; and (3) demonstrated improved quality of life among at least 85% of clients.
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).