Friday, April 26, 2024
4/26/2024
The rates of substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns in rural eastern North Carolina have steadily increased, along with new incidences of HIV. Unfortunately, this increase has disparately impacted racial/ethnic minorities. Project Engage Eastern North Carolina: Minority AIDS Initiative (Engage ENC: MAI) will leverage the existing HIV testing and treatment infrastructure in an eleven-county catchment within eastern NC to enhance identification and access to treatment for racial/ethnic minorities who present with substance use and co-occurring mental health symptoms. Over the 5-year project period, Engage-ENC enroll and serve a total of 520 unduplicated individuals over the five-year grant period from the eleven county catchment area. Engagement services will include providing HIV and Hepatitis testing, screening and assessment for substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns, care coordination, and treatment services. The mission of Engage ENC: MAI is to enhance the outreach and clinical service delivery of Engage ENC to directly increase engagement of individuals from racial/ethnic minority groups with SUD or COD who are at high risk for or living with HIV and/or viral hepatitis infection. Engage ENC: MAI will build upon the existing outreach and treatment model of Engage ENC through community partnerships to increase access to screening and referral to appropriate care and minimizing barriers to sustained engagement. The goals for Engage ENC: MAI are to: 1. Reduce the accidental drug overdose rate in the eleven-county catchment area; 2. Increase access to SUD/COD and HIV and viral hepatitis treatment providers for individuals in the eleven-county catchment area; and 3. reduce the incidence of new HIV and hepatitis B and C infections in the eleven-county catchment area. To achieve the goals, the following are the objectives of Engage ENC: MAI: 1a. Provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for SUD or COD for 100% of enrolled clients; 1b. retain at least 80% of enrolled clients who screen positive for SUD or COD in treatment through 90-day follow-up; 1c. demonstrate a reduction of substance use frequency for at least 65% of enrolled clients by 6-month follow-up; 1d. demonstrate an increase in psychosocial functioning for at least 65% of enrolled clients by 6-month follow-up. 2a. Link and coordinate connection to appropriate treatment for 100% of enrolled clients requiring treatment; 2b. develop MOAs with at least 2 new provider organizations in the eleven-county catchment area per year; 2c. demonstrate a reduction in perceived barriers to treatment. 3a. Provide HIV and viral hepatitis screening to 100% of at-risk enrolled clients; 3b. link and coordinate connection to appropriate HIV and/or viral hepatitis treatment for 100% of enrolled clients requiring treatment within 30 days of positive test confirmation; 3c. provide HIV prevention education and referral to PrEP for 100% of enrolled clients considered at high risk for HIV; and 3d. provide annual HIV and viral hepatitis training to 100% of Engage ENC:MAI staff, and community partners with a developed MOA.
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).
