Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Project Title: FY 2023 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, 2023 through August 31, 2024; Selected Category: HIV Care Innovation; Selected Activity: Coordination or Integration of HIV Primary Care with Oral Health and/or Behavioral Health Care; Funding Preference Requested: Underserved Populations Target Populations: Low income, uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved people living with HIV (PLWH) 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 30,000 patient encounters annually representing nearly 13,000 patients, with 83% being classified as a racial or ethnic minority, 66 % living on incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, 16% being homeless, and 42% being uninsured. Center services include primary and preventive Medical and Dental care, Behavioral Health, comprehensive HIV/STI services, 340B Pharmacy, Case Management, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Community Health Worker services, patient transportation, mobile Medical and Dental services, and Community Outreach. Needs to Be Addressed. Mecklenburg County has one of the highest HIV infection rates nationwide, with significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The high prevalence of mental illness, substance use disorders, and oral health issues amount people living with HIV in the service area has a profound effect on physical wellness. Unfortunately, CWWCHC is located in a designat ed 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 are 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 behavioral and oral healthcare providers to treat HIV patients. To best serve is patients, CWWCHC has an urgent need to improve and enhance upon its current integrated model of care. Summary of Proposed Project: With RW Part C Capacity Development Funding, CWWCHC proposes to develop new policies, procedures, protocols and training methods to enhance its integrated model of Behavioral and Oral Health care for its 99 existing active PLWH, as well as for future PLWH patients. Grant funding will be used for salary support, consultant fees for program development and implementation, staff training, and supplies. Anticipated outcomes include improved integrated work flows and increased staff and patient awareness of integrated program services. The ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes along the HIV continuum for persons living with HIV and experiencing behavioral or oral health issues. 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).
