PROJECT ABSTRACT Project Title: FY 2022 RWHAP Part C Capacity Development Program Applicant Organization Name: Near North Health Address: 1276 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60610-2089 Project Director Name: Berneice Mills-Thomas Contact Phone Numbers: (312) 337-1073, ext. 4200 (V), (312) 337-7616 (f) Email Address: bthomas@nearnorthhealth.org Website Address, if applicable: www.nearnorthhealth.org List all grant program funds requested in the application, if applicable: FY 2022 RWHAP Part C Capacity Development Program funding of $150,000. Near North Health (NNH) applies a patient-centered medical home model of care. NNH serves 117 Part C patients with HIV. The proposed service area boundaries, as listed in Appendix B, are these Chicago ZIP codes: 60610, 60613, 60615, 60640, 60651, and 60653. Near North Health has 117 Part C patients of which 101 are Black, 16 Hispanic and 1 White. They are adult males, ages 25-44 (59), ages 45-64 (46) and 65+ (12). The vast majority are men having sex with men (82), while the other 35 are unknown or unreported. We will use the funding for the addition of 2 (two) 1.0 FTE staff persons who will serve as Community Health Workers. This will help to ensure that Part C recipients have a staff member specifically designated to meet their unique needs and increase retention in care metrics. This is especially true for the person who is newly diagnosed with HIV or was previously lost to care/returning to care, and for the person who speaks Spanish as their primary language, The CHW role will also engage with key community leaders and organizations in order to further extend the reach and scope of Near North Health’s HIV care services. The key services and quality improvement measures supported by RWHAP Part C funding are family-focused primary medical care (internal, pediatric, women’s health, vision, podiatry, health education, laboratory, dental); comprehensive social services (maternal child health, case manag
ement, health education, substance abuse treatment, domestic violence, mental health, family support services, and Early Intervention Services for HIV/AIDS individuals); and health and nutrition education services (WIC supplemental food vouchers for pregnant and lactating mothers, nutrition classes, breastfeeding counseling, and cooking demonstrations). ? We are seeking funding for the HIV Care Innovation: Community Health Workers category. ? A summary of the proposed activity and its intended impact (i.e., how the activity will develop, enhance, or expand access to high-quality HIV primary care services for low-income and underserved people with HIV). ? Near North Health is requesting $150,000 for the one-year period of performance. ? We are seeking a funding preference for Underserved Populations.