Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - PROJECT ABSTRACT Project Title: FY 2022 RWHAP Part C Capacity Development Program Applicant Name: The C.W. Williams Community Health Center, Inc. (CWWCHC); Address: 3333 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208 (Mecklenburg County); Project Director: Debra Weeks, Chief Executive Officer; Contact Numbers: Tel: 704-391-0819; Fax: 980-335-0504; Email Address: dweeks@cwwilliams.org; Website: www.cwwilliams.org; Grant Funds Requested: $150,000 for performance period September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023; Selected Category: Care Innovation; Selected Activity: Community Health Workers; Funding Preference Requested: Underserved Populations Target Populations: Low income, uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved individuals living with HIV and those at-risk for HIV in CWWCHC’s 6-county service area of Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union counties in North Carolina and York County in South Carolina. Organization History: Founded in 1981, CWWCHC handles over 28,000 patient encounters annually representing nearly 13,000 patients, with 86% being classified as a racial or ethnic minority, 83 % living on incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, 16% being homeless, and 70% being uninsured. Center services include primary/preventive medical and dental care, behavioral health, comprehensive HIV/STI services (including PrEP), 340B pharmacy, case management, and community outreach. Needs to Be Addressed. Mecklenburg County has one of the highest HIV infection rates nationwide, with significant racial disparities in HIV prevalence. Unfortunately, CWWCHC is located in a designated Medically Underserved Area, a designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Area, and a Mecklenburg County Public Health Priority Area, where there are limited resources, especially for low income, uninsured and underinsured PLWH. Further, 100% of CWWCHC’s HIV-positive patients below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. In addition to financial issues, PLWH face a host of other barriers to care, including unwillingness of some providers to treat HIV patients, social determinants of health (SDOH) factors, stigma, and discrimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of CWWCHC’s HIV patients are hesitant to come to the Center for fear of contracting or being exposed to the novel coronavirus, which creates additional barriers to care. Summary of Proposed Project: With RW Part C Capacity Development Funding, CWWCHC proposes to integrate two (2) FTE Community Health Workers into its existing HIV system of care. The CHWs will become integral members of CWWCHC’s primary healthcare workforce to help link and retain PLWH in HIV care. They will carry out this role as trusted frontline workers who share similar socio-economic, cultural, linguistic, and other identities for the patient populations served. The positions will report to the HIV/Ryan White Director, with duties including activities such as patient education and outreach, informal counseling, linkage to high quality care and support services to address SDOH, and patient advocacy. Grant funding will be used for salary support, staff training and travel, supplies, support group meetings, and non-cash patient incentives. The ultimate program goal is to improve outcomes along the HIV continuum for persons living with HIV. Funding preference is requested based on services being delivered to underserved populations.
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).