Hepatitis C Elimination for Greater Detroit - “RISE: Regional Initiative to Suppress and Eliminate HCV” will expand access to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing, treatment, and recovery support among at-risk populations. Through mobile medical outreach, integrated behavioral health, and peer-led navigation, this initiative will provide wraparound care to communities impacted by the syndemic of HCV, substance use, and homelessness. The project seeks to cure Hepatitis C in 100 individuals annually by delivering evidence-based treatment alongside comprehensive, person-centered services to improve overall health outcomes and quality of life. The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), as lead applicant, will collaborate with Wayne Health mobile units, Families Against Narcotics (FAN), Strategies to Overcome Obstacles and Avoid Recidivism (SOOAR), Live Rite Recovery Housing, Alpha Recovery Housing, and Street Outreach Teams to bring services directly to community members. All partners currently provide the core services outlined in this proposal including mobile healthcare, low-barrier infectious disease and substance use treatment, harm reduction, recovery housing, and peer recovery support enabling efficient and seamless project implementation from day one. The initiative targets individuals at highest risk of contracting and transmitting HCV, including people who use substances, those experiencing homelessness, and individuals living with serious mental illness. Efforts will focus on Southeast Michigan’s tri-county region of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, with particular emphasis on Detroit, where HCV rates, overdoses, and barriers to consistent care remain high. This region faces significant economic challenges, housing instability, and limited behavioral health and substance use treatment availability. Key services include community-based HCV, HIV, and STI outreach and screening; same-day initiation of HCV, HIV, STI, and substance use treatment; medication adherence support; recovery coaching and navigation; and community health worker care coordination. The project will employ evidence-based, evidence-informed, and community-defined practices to deliver low-barrier, trauma-informed, and person-centered care. Core strategies include the AASLD/IDSA Simplified HCV Treatment Protocol to expand treatment access; Trauma-Informed Care to address chronic trauma; and integrated Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with behavioral health services for co-occurring conditions. Evidence-informed interventions include mobile outreach and engagement; Modified Directly Observed Therapy (mDOT) to promote adherence; and mobile harm reduction services providing safer use supplies, education, and linkage to care. Community-defined approaches such as peer recovery coaching and Community Health Worker engagement will enhance trust, continuity, and sustained care through lived experience and culturally responsive support. The project aims to cure HCV in 100 individuals annually, increase access to behavioral health and recovery services, and reduce new infections through evidence-based harm reduction and treatment. Over the initial two-year period, the initiative plans to engage over 2,000 individuals, screen 1,820 for HCV, initiate treatment in all eligible participants, and provide recovery housing to 100 individuals. Additional objectives include distributing 2,500 basic needs supplies annually, offering transportation assistance to participants facing barriers, and providing nurse-led care coordination and incentives to promote follow-up and adherence.
