Under PS22-2203, The Knights and Orchids Society (TKO) is requesting $350,000 a year in annual HIV prevention program funding over a five-year grant period. Funding would support an HIV prevention portfolio of services corresponding with the goals of the CDC PS22-2203 funding initiative prioritizing YTG ages 16 to 34 (all POC). The proposed project expansion under the CDC initiative would go beyond the program’s current limited HIV testing, case management, and linkage to care services funded through foundation resources to one, if funded, that would include a YTG drop-in center safe space, expanded and integrated HIV/STI testing, early intervention services (EIS), HIV navigation, Non-Medical and Medical Case Management (NMCM/MCM), PrEP services, and an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention. To ensure delivery of these expanded services, TKO's program team will include two (2) PTE HIV Testers, one (1) FTE social worker to serve as the NMCM and MCM, one (1) FTE Program Coordinator who is also responsible for delivering early intervention services (EIS), two (2) PTE HIV Navigators, and one (1) PTE Driver for rural area medical transportation to appointments who can also serve as a supplemental HIV/STI tester. Combined, they would comprise the proposed program Team and can link clients to in-kind, existing services at TKO's, such as nutritional services and psychosocial support counseling. Also servicing BMSM through external resources, the program's purpose is to assist YTG in reducing their risk for acquiring HIV and, for PWH, HIV Care Continuum progression through medical home sustainability and viral suppression.Collectively, this program team will make sure the following program goal is achieved: By the end of the grant period, TKO's will have ensured at least the following goal elements had been achieved: 1) at least 80 annual YTG program participants residing in one of three prioritized AL Counties (n = 500 total ov
er five years) had gained increased access to and utilization of HIV prevention tools, resources, and linkage to HIV clinical and essential support services; 2) at least six (6) unduplicated YTG learned their newly diagnosed HIV status annually (n = 30 over five years) and 95% of those successfully liked to care; 3) at least 90% of YTG program participants with HIV linked to ART, achieved medication adherence, and viral suppression; 4) at least 90% of highly HIV vulnerable YTG clients increased access to, utilization of, and maintenance on PrEP; and, 5) at least 100% of area YTG has gained access to a safe space with peer and community support and increased access to and utilization of HIV prevention skills, tools, links, and knowledge.