Saturday, April 5, 2025
4/5/2025
Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - Address: 3515 Broadway Kansas City, Mo. 64111 Project Director Name: Melissa Smith Contact Phone Number: 816-777-2710 Email Address: melissas@kccare.org Website Address: kccare.org Grant Program Funds Requested: $150,000 for HIV care innovation to provide Rapid ART Title: FY 2022 RWHAP Part C Capacity Development Program Kansas City CARE Clinic dba KC CARE Health Center formally requests $150,000 through HRSA’s FY 2022 RWHAP Part C Capacity Development Program for HIV Care Innovation through the expanded availability of Rapid ART. KC CARE further requests funding preference for this request, as more than 50% of patients served will belong to underserved populations. KC CARE’s Rapid ART program, Same Day Start (SDS), was launched in January 2021 in response to evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) trials demonstrating that SDS showed greater efficacy in helping people newly diagnosed with HIV access treatment, remain in care, and achieve viral load suppression (VLS). Achieving VLS is of particular importance at KC CARE, as substantial disparities exist based on age and race/ethnicity among people with and at risk of exposure to HIV. Specifically, individuals ages 25 to 34 are at a greater risk of HIV exposure and are less likely to achieve viral suppression. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are also at greater risk of HIV exposure and achieve viral suppression at lower rates than their peers. The implementation of KC CARE’s SDS program was a success, reaching 39 patients in the first year. Of these 39 patients, 23 (67%) achieved viral suppression. KC CARE’s patient-centered approach helped ensure patients’ enrollment and retention in the program. Upon receiving a reactive test, a Linkage to Care (LTC) coordinator makes first contact with a patient. Education about SDS is provided, and if the patient elects to participate, the LTC coordinator will arrange a same-day visit with a KC CARE provider. Medical visits are followed-up with a referral to a peer educator, a KC CARE professional who assists patients in understanding their diagnosis, adhering to treatment, achieving VLS, and accessing community resources. To reach more patients newly diagnosed with HIV and help eliminate disparities in viral suppression, KC CARE seeks funding to extend the availability of SDS to individuals who test reactive for HIV with any provider, in the community, or using an at-home HIV test in the Kansas City TGA. Funds from this program will be used to expand KC CARE’s SDS program community-wide, create marketing to ensure providers and patients are aware of SDS at KC CARE and to educate them about the individual and community health benefits of SDS, provide transportation assistance for patients to attend their same-day visit at KC CARE, and offer self-care kits for patients who receive a reactive HIV test through KC CARE or are referred to KC CARE for SDS. These kits include essential items to make patients more comfortable during their initial HIV care visit, which can be stressful, such as bottled water, snacks, and a notepad and paper to take notes on care instructions and future appointments. Following one year of expanded SDS access, KC CARE will be able to absorb the increased volume of patients and services into HIV services program income and other funding sources, ensuring the sustainability of this program. Medications necessary for SDS are donated by pharmaceutical partners, further ensuring the financial stability of this program.
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).