Tuesday, November 26, 2024
11/26/2024
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 medical care, case management, STD services, and supportive HIV services (e.g., housing, behavioral health) in a one-stop-shop approach. HSC’s 9,000 square mile service area includes 14 counties from 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 area 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 persons in this area who are living with HIV. Project Engaged Community HIV Outreach (ECHO) will target program services to high-risk heterosexuals, particularly high-risk heterosexuals of color, as this group is disproportionately affected by HIV in the service area. Project ECHO proposes a six-month comprehensive implementation phase followed by “Diagnose,” “Prevent”, “Treat,” and “Respond” core activities. “Diagnose” core activities will improve health outcomes by increasing targeted HIV testing among high-risk heterosexuals (minimum 500 rapid HIV tests, provided through a minimum of 24 community HIV events annually), increased provision of integrated HIV screenings (HIV and STD/HCV) in traditional and non-traditional settings, and increased identification of newly diagnosed persons with HIV (minimum 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, increa se access to partner services, and increase access to HIV navigation, supportive services, and viral suppression services using the evidence-based practices “Steps to Care” and “Taking Care of Me.” “Prevent” core activities will provide increased access to PrEP and nPEP navigation services, condom distribution services, and access to behavioral EBPs to reduce risks. Project ECHO will leverage numerous community and health department partnerships to accomplish services. A traditional safe space and an innovative “mobile safe space” are proposed. A highly experienced group of key personnel are identified to implement Program ECHO services, with most having more than 10 years’ experience providing services and data collection with the target population. A comprehensive performance assessment and program evaluation are proposed.
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).
