Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Comprehensive High-Impact HIV Prevention for High-Risk Heterosexual Black Men and Women in the Tampa Bay Area - AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, Inc. dba EPIC, a member of the Empath Health, Inc. integrated network of care, has been serving people living with HIV (PLWH) and at risk of acquiring HIV in the Tampa Bay area for over 30 years. Our purpose is to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities, regardless of HIV status, gender or sexual identity, by addressing the social determinants of health. We provide a complete continuum of care for PLWH and coordinate all of our work closely with local health departments and other service providers. The purpose of this project is to help address the national HIV epidemic by reducing new infections, increasing access to care, and promoting health equity. This project will target high-risk Black men and women aged 13-49 who identify as heterosexual, in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan statistical area. Using evidence-based strategies and activities, the project will increase the number of people aware of their HIV and STD status through targeted outreach and testing, link/re-engage PLWH to HIV medical care and ART through an intensive case management approach, refer PLWH to Partner Services and the support services they need to overcome barriers and stay in care, support high-risk HIV-negative individuals to navigate access to PrEP, undertake community education and risk-reduction activities to promote HIV prevention, and support the local departments of health (notably on cluster detection and response). The long-term outcomes will include a reduction in new HIV infections, improvements in health outcomes and health equity for Black PLWH, and reduced deaths among Black PLWH. The project will increase the number of people who are aware of their status, conducting 600 HIV tests annually; 12 newly diagnosed individuals (2% of those tested) will be identified each year. We will also increase receipt of integrated screenings for STDs and viral hepatitis, with 85% of HIV testing events offering integrated screenings. We will increase the receipt of HIV medical care and ART among both persons with newly diagnosed HIV (at least 12 annually) and persons with previously diagnosed HIV who are out-of-care (at least 12 annually). 100% of identified PLWH will be linked/re-engaged to medical care within 30 days. The project will increase medication adherence, ensuring 80% of enrolled PLWH remain medication adherent for at least 12 months – supporting the key intermediate term outcome of increased viral load suppression. We will also increase access to Partner Services, referring 100% of both newly and previously diagnosed PLWH to Partner Services. EPIC has a 30 year history of ensuring PLWH in the Tampa Bay area have access to all of the support services they need to stay healthy and stay in care, and 100% of PLWH enrolled in this program will be referred for essential support services. This project will increase access to PrEP and nPEP, with 85% of HIV-negative persons identified referred for PrEP (and 100% of persons exposed in past 48 hours for nPEP). 85% of HIV-negative persons will be referred to support services to help them stay negative. We will increase availability of condoms by offering 12,000 free condoms annually, provided along with other safe sex supplies and educational materials at large and small community events and during all outreach/testing activities. The project will also launch a targeted media campaign and increase receipt of education and risk-reduction behavioral interventions, with an estimated 3,000 engagements of video and social media interventions annually.
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).