Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - Project Title: FY 2022 RWHAP Part C Capacity Development Program Applicant Name: Department of Health in Orange County Address: 6101 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando, Florida 32809 Project Director Name: Alelia Munroe, MPH Contact Telephone Number: (p) 407-723-4287; (fax) (407) 845-6128 Contact E-mail Address: alelia.munroe@flhealth.gov Web Site Address: www.orchd.com Grant Funds Requested: $150,000 Model of Care: The Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) Sunshine Care Center (SCC) is in an area that is “ground zero” for HIV disease in Orange County as well as near the centers serving our homeless population. As the largest public health center in Orange County, we are a key point of entry through our counseling and testing program as well as our surveillance department. Established in 1937, the DOH-Orange has been the principal source of primary care services for individuals with HIV since 1989 (33 years). The program works to improve access to primary medical care, for low income, vulnerable, & medically underserved individuals with HIV through the provision of family-centered, coordinated, comprehensive, culturally, and linguistically competent, health care and support services. Funding under HIV Care Continuum: Rapid ART is requested to expand our current Rapid Access program to eliminate gaps in services along the HIV Care Continuum arms of “Receipt of Care/Linkage” and “Retention in Care”. Currently, the Rapid Access program has a 90% rate of linking individuals with newly acquired HIV and those who have dropped out of care and being reengaged in care; however, we are losing clients after their initial medical visit, an estimated 45% of clients do not return for their follow-up visits. By creating a Rapid Access Team with the addition of an Intensive Case Manager (ICM) a Peer Mentor (self-disclosed PWH) and a Patient Navigator, to the existing Linkage and Testing staff we project that we will reduce if not eliminate the gap that currently exists between the initial visit (Linkage) and follow-up visits (Retention) to no more than 10%. The Peer will maintain continual contact with the client between each visit providing one-to-one or group adherence and health education & risk reduction education to clients. The Patient Navigator will serve as the patient constant point-of-contact in between visits with either the Peer or the ICM. The ICM will complete an in-depth assessment of each client and develop short-and-long term goals to ensure clients are retained in care and achieve Viral Suppression. Target Populations: By the end of August 2023, the program expects to link at least 39 unduplicated individuals with newly acquired HIV and out-of-care and reengaging in care individuals to Rapid ART of which 85% will be people of color; 90% or 35 of whom will be retained in care throughout the one-year project period. Those still enrolled in care through August 31, 2023, will receive a $100 stipend. Quality Improvement Measures: By August 31, 2023, 95% of patients will have a viral load <200copies/mL and 90% will be retained in care. Funding: $150,000 funding is requested under both funding preferences 1) Rural Areas and 2) Underserved Populations to implement a Rapid Access Team and address retention in care and viral suppression of individuals with newly acquired HIV and individuals out-of-care and reengaging in care on the HIV care continuum.
