Detroit is the most populated city in Michigan, is predominately black, and maintains the highest poverty rates. Detroit also has the highest HIV incidence and prevalence rates in Michigan. Additionally, Detroit experiences higher rates of HIV risk factors such as substance use disorders (SUD), chronic homelessness, sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and poverty.
The Detroit Recovery Project Inc. (DRP) is a not for profit,501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support recovery which strengthens, rebuilds, and empowers individuals, families and communities who are experiencing co-occurring mental illness, and SUD. DRP has operated for over 15 years in Detroit, Michigan, with a focus on Detroit's East side. Over the last decade and a half, DRP has provided many health services for the community ranging from SUD treatment, HIV testing, SUD and HIV prevention, primary care services, and social support services.
DRP’s HEART Squared proposes to address the needs of the under served, at-risk population of Detroit's East side of Wayne County, Michigan, which includes the City of Detroit, and bordering city, Highland Park, Michigan. The population HEART Square will target are People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), individuals who are entering substance abuse disorder (SUD) services, and those that identify as a Sex Worker. HEART Square will reach the target population by directly outreaching in the community using its Mobile Outreach Unit. HEART Squared will also provide HIV testing at other local SUD treatment centers. By directly outreaching to these high-risk populations, HEART Squared will remove barriers to HIV status awareness, and treatment access, while also providing services that decrease risk behavior. The overarching goals of HEART Squared are aligned with the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EtHE) Initiative and CDC DHAP Strategic Plan to:
1) Increase diagnosis by conducting HIV testing for high-risk populations; provide integrated screening for viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted disease (STD)
2) Increase engagement in treatment by using evidence-based practices to link newly HIV diagnosed individuals to HIV care; re-engage individuals that that were previously diagnosed into care; refer individuals to partner services; refer individuals to partner risk-reduction services; refer individuals to essential services Syringe Service Programs (SSPs)
3) Prevent new infections by referring HIV-negative individuals to PEP/nPrEP, high-risk behavior reduction services, refer to essential services SSPs
4) Assist local health department in cluster response.