Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) Partners in Prevention (PIP) partnership project will expand access to HIV prevention and care for as many as 200 individuals living with/at risk for HIV annually and 1,000 individuals over the lifetime of the project. Key goal is to increase capacity within Greater Lowell MA area to provide community based rapid HIV testing to high risk individuals and follow up care, and to connect 90% of individuals testing positive to care and treatment within 60 days of diagnosis. PIP broadens and strengthens the provision and scope of HIV prevention services for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and for vulnerable populations that remain disproportionately impacted: People Who Inject Drugs (PWID); Latinos(as), Immigrant and Refugee, non-US born populations (Sub-Saharan African (SSA), Portuguese Speaking, and Southeast Asian, primarily Cambodian); and Gay, Bi-Sexual, and other Men having Sex with Men (MSM). Project is led by a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, case managers, multi-lingual community health workers and peer leaders, with community outreach partner Life Connections and input from an HIV Consumer Advisory Board. Activities include rapid HIV testing at the health center and in the community to increase the number of first-time testers; expanded access to evidence based prevention strategies; therapies for individuals living with HIV, and Syringe Services access. Outcomes include 65% increase in number of participants engaged in evidence based programming and screened for HIV/Hepatitis C/STIs in Year 1, to 85% increase by project end. Our comprehensive, multi-tiered integrated care approach will maximize access and ensure a coordinated system that promotes availability and responsiveness to the multiple complex needs of target populations. Lowell is among the top three MA cities/towns with highest average annual rate HIV infection diagosis for the period 2017-2019 (MA BIDLS HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile, Statewide Report. 2/1/2021). Lowell CHC is a federally qualified health center, state-designated refugee health assessment site, targeting low-income, immigrant and refugee populations. Annually more than 750 individuals receive HIV education, testing and care at Lowell CHC; programs and services are recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and equity-based. Project leverages Lowell CHC’s 30+ year experience providin HIV/Hepatitis C/STI Screening and Treatment, integrated with Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) services, outpatient Behavioral Health and primary care services. Clinical services are supported by extensive community partnerships to ensure continuum of care and increase engagement in care for racial and ethnic underrepresented individuals living with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (COD) who are at risk for, or are living with HIV/AIDS and receive HIV/AIDS services/treatment. Project addresses National HIV/AIDS Strategy and provides coordinated access and care for High Risk Populations in Greater Lowell, MA. Project scope includes: HIV testing and linkage to care; access to harm reduction and prevention strategies; Substance Use Treatment, including MOUD, Vivitrol; STI and viral Hepatitis Screening, Treatment and Vaccination; Antiretroviral Therapy; PrEP, Syringe Services Programs, with Overdose Education and Nasal Naloxone Distribution; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and patient navigation. We will employ Outreach, Recruitment, and Referrals. We will partner with Life Connection Center’s Harm Reduction outreach program. Program expands capacity for cohesiveness and visibility, establishing a shared and safe foundation for moving high risk individuals along the continuum, with added efficiency to improve health outcomes.
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).
