Monday, March 20, 2023
3/20/2023
Health Services Center, Inc. (HSC) has been the sole provider of comprehensive HIV services in its service area for over 25 years. HSC provides HIV outreach, counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) services, linkage to care and partner services, HIV education and prevention, HIV medial care, case management, STI services, and supportive HIV services in a one-stop-shop approach. HSC's 9,000 square mile area service area includes 14 counties from the Alabama Department of Public Health's (ADPH) Northeastern and East Central Districts (collectively, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dekalb, Etowah, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Tallapoosa, and Talladega counties, AL). The service are population is largely rural/non-urban, geographically dispersed, and medically underserved. The area experiences poverty and low educational attainment at much higher rates than the national average. Discrimination and isolation remain challenges for the persons in this area who are living with HIV. The project Engaged Community HIV Outreach (ECHO) targets service to high-risk heterosexuals. "Diagnosis" core activities (annually) includes providing 500 HIV tests, 24 community HIV events, increased provision of integrated HIV screenings (HIV & STI/HCV) in traditional and non-traditional settings, and increased identification of newly diagnosed persons with HIV. (8 annually). "Treat" core activities will increase receipt of HIV medical care and ART among persons newly diagnosed with HIV and persons out-of-care for HIV, increase access to partner services, and increase access to HIV navigation, supportive services, and viral suppression services using the evidences-based practices "Stay Connected" and "Taking Care of Me'. Additional activities include assisting with cluster response activities, distribution of printed prevention materials and safer sex materials, linkage activities for out- of-care persons living with HIV, individual level community outreach, community awareness events, community and mobile safe spaces, a social media campaign, and a young adult community engagement group (minimum 6 members, 4 meetings 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).
