Sunday, May 4, 2025
5/4/2025
SASHI Project 2 - Project Abstract Summary The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center (The Center), located in Manhattan in New York City, will implement a project, Substance Abuse Services and HIV Intervention Project 2 (SAASHI 2), to increase engagement in care for racial and ethnic underrepresented individuals ages 13+ with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD) who are at risk for, or living with HIV/AIDS and receive HIV/AIDS services/treatment. The service emphasis in SASHI 2 is caring for those most at risk for HIV: men who have sex with men (MSM), especially young MSM ages 13-25 (YMSM); transgender individuals, especially those involved with sex work and transactional sex; HIV-negative partners of individuals living with AIDS; minorities in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) community who are Black and/or Latino/Hispanic, low-income, and/or non-English speaking or English as a Second language (ESL). Despite providers implementing innovative adaptations to deliver services and support clients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health emergency has delayed the achievement of Ending the Epidemic goals set by the state of New York. The New York State Department of Health continues to emphasize the need for continued prioritization of those most impacted by social inequities, those who experience the greatest barriers, who have the least access, those who are afraid to come forward for care due to stigma, mistrust, and traumatization, including sexual minorities. There are no other providers offering as wide a range of LGBTQ+-specific outreach, prevention, and treatment services as The Center in the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island). The Center's services for MSM, YMSM, and transgender individuals have evolved over time to include a range of MSM- and transgender-driven support, advocacy, education, outreach, economic stability, and SUD and COD treatment and prevention initiatives, uniquely positioning the organization to address the disparities in access, service use, and outcomes for LGBTQ+ minority populations with SUD and COD who are at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and to serve the critical need for strategic outreach, education, and support to reduce the HIV infection rate and increase the viral suppression rate among populations most at risk. The goal of SASHI 2 is to improve health outcomes among MSM and YMSM of color and transgender individuals of color who have not previously interacted with The Center's low-threshold HIV prevention programs and services and link them to appropriate community-based SUD and behavioral health services. To achieve this goal, SASHI 2 will meet four objectives: 1. Expand treatment and recovery services for those with SUD and COD over the five-year grant period; 2. Increase linkages to and utilization of primary HIV care and antiretroviral therapy over the grant period; 3. Increase linkages to and utilization of primary care homes over the grant period; and 4. Increase linkages to and utilization of other recovery support services to improve health outcomes over the grant period. Multiple performance measures for each of these four objectives can be found in the
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).