Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, Inc. (CHC/ACT) seeks $150,000 from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program. As Connecticut’s Primary Care Association, CHC/ACT has implemented Ryan White programs for over a decade. With this funding, CHC/ACT plans to bolster HIV Care Innovation by offering didactic education and training focused on inclusive care for underserved communities, specifically the immigrant population, including rural and migrant workers, to Ryan White care teams. This will empower medical case managers, providers, nurses, and other care team members with specialized training to address the health and social needs of these communities. Connecticut provides a welcoming environment for immigrants from across the world and is designated as a Sanctuary State. CT has experienced a significant influx of immigrants, climbing from 369,967 in 2000 to 568,311 in 2022, a 53.6% increase (Migration Policy Institute). Additionally, CT observed an 88% increase in the total number of FQHC patients identifying as rural or migrant/seasonal farmworkers since 2018, rising from 1,201 patients to 3,114 patients by 2023 (HRSA). This increase may be due to enhanced standardized electronic health record data capture and the adoption of community outreach and telemedicine practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite the rise in numbers within these communities, the rate of HIV testing in CT remains low, obscuring the incidence of HIV for this population. Addressing HIV/AIDS transmission among immigrant populations requires considering various factors, including diverse backgrounds, migration-related vulnerabilities, cultural beliefs, access barriers, sexual behaviors, and more. Comprehensive approaches involving culturally sensitive interventions, community engagement, healthcare access improvements, and advocacy efforts are crucial to mitigating HIV risk and improving outcomes. Healthcare disparities among people living with HIV (PLWH), particularly immigrants and those living in migrant and farmworker communities, are significant concerns. CHC/ACT has diligently monitored HIV cases for many years. The latest data from 2020 show 8,848 reported cases of HIV across the state (ct.gov). Although the FQHCs have not captured data around immigration status, the HRSA Uniform Data Set (UDS) data shows that in 2023, CT FQHCs served 3,477 PLWH, 8% of whom belonged to rural and/or migrant/seasonal farmworker categories (HRSA). These cases include individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, various age groups, and different risk categories. Given the significant increase in immigrants and those identifying as rural and/or migrant farmworkers and low rates of testing for this population, the accurate incidence of HIV is unclear. CHC/ACT will collaborate with The Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN) to implement the Project ECHO initiative across its 16 member Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). MCN, an experienced Health Resources and Services Administration National Training and Technical Assistance Partner for over twenty years, specializes in providing training and technical assistance to enhance the health and wellbeing of immigrant populations. CHC/ACT and MCN will partner to provide didactic content focusing on implementing and improving inclusive care for immigrant communities, including rural and migrant workers living with HIV. FQHCs serve as a safety net for these communities, making CHC/ACT's initiative to provide training and technical assistance pivotal in reaching, screening, and treating them effectively. Through the Project ECHO initiative, Ryan White staff will learn to establish stronger rapport and trust with their clients, encouraging patients to seek care and engage in open communication. Trust in healthcare professionals is foundational for effective treatment and patient-centered care, significantly influencing patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans.
