STOP HIV Program - Empowerment Resource Center is submitting a grant application for the Specialized Testing and Outreach Program (S.T.O.P.) HIV under CDC-RFA-PS22-2203, Comprehensive High-Impact HIV Prevention Projects for Young Men of Color Who Have Sex with Men and Young Transgender Persons of Color. Empowerment Resource Center (ERC) is the lead and solo agency. The S.T.O.P HIV Program will provide status neutral comprehensive high-impact HIV prevention services for young men of color who have sex with men (YMSM of color) and their partners regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, residing in the state of Georgia, with a special emphasis in Public Health Districts 3-2 Fulton, 3-5 DeKalb, and 3-4 East Metro (Lawrenceville). By the end of the project period, ERC proposes to achieve the following outcome objectives for the S.T.O.P HIV Program activities: increase the number of persons who are aware of their HIV status; increase uptake of integrated STI screenings; increase the number of HIV-positive persons (newly- and previously-diagnosed) who achieve a suppressed viral load through the use of ART; increase medication adherence in people living with HIV (PLWH) and persons at increased risk of acquiring HIV; increase status neutral referrals to partner services and other prevention and essential support services; increase access to and the number of HRN participants who receive and use PrEP and/or nPEP; and increase the number of HIV-positive and HRN persons who use condoms correctly and consistently. The STOP HIV Program aligns with the four pillars of the nation’s Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative (EtHE), and will provide fully‐integrated multidisciplinary programs and services as outlined below. • Diagnose— A total of 650 people YMSM of color and their partners, regardless of age, race, and ethnicity, will have access to HIV testing services and 9 new HIV diagnoses will be identified among YMSM of color; At least 80% of (520 clients) participants will receive integrated STI screenings onsite at the ERC Comprehensive Intervention Clinic and through its telemedicine platforms. • Treat— At least 90% of persons with newly diagnosed HIV and persons with previously diagnosed HIV, who are not in care, will receive rapid HIV stabilization treatment, and will be linked to appropriate long-term medical care, within 30 days of diagnoses, at the ERC Clinic or an appropriate Ryan White clinic; 100% of persons newly diagnosed with HIV or qualifying STI will be referred to partner services at local county health departments within 30 days; and At least 90% of clients will be provided medication adherence services for HIV treatment. • Prevent— At least 90% (585) YMSM of color at increased for acquiring HIV will be provided PrEP and/or nPEP services at the ERC Clinic; At least 90% (585) of YMSM clients and their partners will be provided with one or more prevention and essential support services, regardless of HIV status; Program staff will distribute 10,000 condoms per year; At least 90% of clients will be provided PrEP medication adherence services for HIV prevention; and 100 HRN MSM will be referred to, enrolled in, and complete the Personalized Cognitive Counseling (PCC) behavioral intervention. PrEP and nPEP medication will not be funded by the CDC. • Respond— ERC will continue to collaborate with the Georgia Department of Public Health, and Fulton and DeKalb County Boards of Health through its STOP HIV Program promotion, outreach, and large-scale testing events to support community cluster detection and response activities.
