Saturday, May 4, 2024
5/4/2024
Damien Center, Inc. will implement the CARE (Comprehensive Access to Recovery and Empowerment) project to increase engagement in care for racial and ethnic underrepresented individuals ages 18+ 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. CARE will be provided in the Indianapolis Transitional Grant Area, which includes Marion County, Indiana, and nine surrounding counties. Marion County is an EHE Priority Jurisdiction. The primary population for CARE is serving those racial/ethnic minorities most impacted by HIV, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, and those HIV negative individuals at increased risk for HIV acquisition who are Black and/or Latino/Hispanic. These groups are prioritized in the Marion County Indiana Ending the Epidemic Plan, which emphasizes the need for 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. The overarching goal of CARE is to reduce Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Co-occurring SUD/Mental Health Conditions (CODs), HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and other related problems among racial/ethnic minority adults. To achieve this, CARE will meet three primary goals for clients that are referred internally and participate in Damien Center and Damien Cares in-house programming. 1) Expand treatment and recovery services for those with SUD and COD 2) Increase linkages to and utilization of primary HIV care and antiretroviral therapy 3) Reduce the incidence of new HIV and hepatitis B and C infections Each of these goals includes numerous measurable objectives. A total of 171 individuals will be served through internal SUD treatment and 1,450 through HIV/STI and Hepatitis Testing throughout the five-year program. This includes: • SUD or COD Screening and risk assessment for 300 individuals annually (250 in Y1) • SUD/COD treatment services to 36 individuals annually (27 in Y1) • Peer Recovery Support to 36 individuals annually (27 in Y1) • HIV testing for 300 individuals annually (250 in Y1) • Hepatitis testing for 300 individuals annually (250 in Y1) • PrEP for all individuals at high risk for HIV and linkages to HIV/hepatitis treatment services for clients who test positive. These goals and outputs will be achieved through the implementation of several Evidence-Based and Best Practices, including provision of an Intensive Outpatient Program, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Medication Assisted Treatment, and Peer Recovery Services.
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).
