Sunday, April 28, 2024
4/28/2024
LGBT Life Center serves young, African American MSM, 16-29 years of age (YBMSM) who live in the eastern region of Virginia known locally as Hampton Roads which is inclusive of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA. LGBT Life Center provides targeted rapid HIV testing to the target population using a rapid-rapid testing protocol to ensure timely linkage to HIV medical care. Several promotion, outreach, and recruitment strategies are used including traditional outreach, social networks including those who use social media or mobile phone apps, and social marketing. The project uses a designated safe space within its community center located in Norfolk, VA. Testing occurs at office locations, at venues that serve the population, and through mobile van testing. Incentives are used to encourage HIV testing. Integrated STI screening includes syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Persons living with HIV will be referred to our existing linkage to care program using care navigators to provide direct service. No NOFO funds will be used for linkage to care. LGBT Life Center implements CLEAR, an individual level intervention, for persons living with HIV. Incentives are used to encourage completion of the intervention. Additional recruitment for CLEAR includes those strategies listed previously as well as outreach to key points of access. Persons at high-risk for HIV are served through implementation of PROMSE, a community level intervention. YBMSM are recruited to serve as role models and peer advocates to disseminate stories regarding healthy behaviors. Stage-based stories are created and distributed through print and online media. Stories address key behaviors including condom use, HIV test seeking behavior, use of PrEP, and accessing additional prevention and essential support services. Persons at high-risk for HIV are referred to our existing service navigation program in order to screen and link persons to other needed services such as PrEP and nPEP. No NOFO funds will be used for service navigation for HIV-negative persons. Lastly, we implement a condom distribution program to improve access, availability, and acceptance of condoms. Condoms are offered to all persons served through NOFO activities and through drop-off locations to reach YBMSM.
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).
