Friday, April 26, 2024
4/26/2024
Health Services Center, Inc. (HSC) proposes Project RISE (Recovery Interventions Supporting Empowerment) to provide evidence-based, peer engaged substance use disorder (SUD) services, co-occurring mental health (MH) services, HIV and viral hepatitis (HCV) linkage and risk reduction services to reduce substance- and HIV-related harm in an underserved rural, high poverty area that experiences significant negative consequences related to substance use, including overdose, poor health outcomes, family disruption, and legal system involvement. Project RISE will serve the priority populations of minority adults with HIV (PWH) and at increased risk for HIV disease, particularly low-income, rural minority populations, as these groups are underserved in the target area. The target service area is large, covering over 9,000 square miles and 14 Alabama counties (Blount, Calhoun, Coosa, Cleburne, Chambers, Calhoun, DeKalb, Etowah, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Tallapoosa, Talladega, Clay Counties, AL). HSC has provided HIV risk reduction and substance use disorder services in the target area for over 25 years and has the cultural knowledge, infrastructure, and community partnerships necessary to expand and enhance services for populations living with or at risk for HIV. Project RISE has three main goals: 1) increase access to substance disorder and behavioral health services for minority PWH and minority persons at increased HIV risk through targeted individual and group behavioral health and case management services, 2) provide HIV/harm reduction services to the target population through HIV counseling, testing, and referral (HIV CTR), linkage to HIV medical and supportive services, PrEP services, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) vaccinations, HCV screening and referral, HIV education, and access to prevention supplies, and 3) increase peer support and recovery community support for underserved populations living with SUD and HIV or increased HIV risk. Annually, Project RISE will enroll 100 persons (500 over the course of the project). Measurable outcomes include reduction in service area substance-related overdoses and incarcerations, numbers of persons receiving harm reduction education and awareness activities, persons receiving HIV testing and PrEP services, and screenings/referrals for harm reduction needs. Innovative service provision components include incorporation of transportation supports, trauma-informed care, peer support and linkage services, use of telehealth approaches to enhance rural healthcare, and an area-wide harm reduction focused mini-conference to increase area competence and capacity for service provision. The proposed Project RISE will provide critical substance use service expansion and enhancement for a population that faces significant stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to services in the rural South.
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).
