Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Young Men Ending the Epidemic Together (YMEET) - Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, Inc. (JASMYN) seeks funding under CDC-RFA-PS22-2203, Category A, for the proposed comprehensive high-impact HIV prevention project, Young Men Ending the Epidemic Together (YMEET). The purpose of YMEET is to reduce new infections, increase access to care, promote health equity by addressing health disparities amount young men of color who have sex with men (YMCSM) in accordance with the HIV National Strategic Plan for the United States: A Roadmap to End the Epidemic 2021–2025 and Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) plan and approaches. The priority population for this project is YMCSM living in urban core zip codes with the highest rates of HIV and other STIs in Duval County/ Jacksonville, Florida. With YMEET, JASMYN will expand its Status Neutral Comprehensive High Impact Prevention approach for YMCSM ages 13 – 34 and their partners. Nationally, persons between the ages of 13 – 34 represent more than 50% of all new HIV cases. In 2019, the Duval County HIV case rates were 20.3/100,000, ranking fifth highest among Florida Counties. While Blacks comprise 21% of the population, they account for 62.7% of the Jacksonville MSA HIV cases. MSM make up 52.6% and Transgender persons make up .03% of all HIV cases. In HIV cases reported in 2018 young males ages 13-29 represent 51.4% of all males diagnosed with HIV and males ages 30 -39 represent another 23.9%. HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects gay, bisexual, and other YMCSM, especially African Americans. YMSM made up 54.3% of all people ages 13-35 who were diagnosed with HIV, and 69.6% of were Black. In the CDC HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report – 2019, the Jacksonville MSA ranked 8th in the US for diagnosed HIV cases, and has been identified as one of the 57 EHE priority communities that shoulder the greatest share of the nation’s HIV burden. Following the four pillars of the EHE Plan and aligning with the Jurisdictional HIV Integrated Comp Plan, JASMYN will conduct these Core Activities including Pillar 1: Diagnose activities that enhance Prioritized HIV testing using the latest HIV testing technologies in a variety of settings. Social Network Strategy will be employed for targeted outreach and testing recruitment. YMEET Status Neutral Comprehensive High Impact HIV Prevention strategies will include both Pillar 2: Treat and Pillar 3: Prevent, and provide Status Neutral prevention and essential services and referrals to all clients, provide integrated STI and referrals to HPV screenings through JASMYN’s on-site clinic and partnership with Florida Department of Health- Duval County (FDOH-D), and referrals to behavioral interventions and condom access to all clients. Status Neutral prevention and treatment services will be provided for all YMCSM, regardless of HIV status. Persons with HIV who are newly diagnosed or who have fallen out of care will be linked / re-engaged to HIV medical care and ART, using the individual-level Anti-Retroviral Treatment Access to Services (ARTAS) for newly diagnosed persons, while PrEP/nPEP medication treatment and assistance with linkage or re-linkage will be provided for YMCSM following testing. All clients will be supported with medication adherence interventions and referrals to Partner Services. For Pillar 4: Respond, JASMYN will support the FDOH-D with cluster and outbreak detection and data-to-care response activities. Operational activities will include program promotion, outreach and recruitment to the JASMYN youth campus, an affirming, culturally and age-appropriate safe space for YMCSM that address stigma and other social determinants of health. Extensive use of online social media and social marketing campaigns and community events will be developed. JASMYN will draw on its 27 year history in HIV Prevention to enhance collaborative networks and expand the existing Community Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Board with representation by YMCSM and other key stakeholders.
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).