Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - Need and Population Served: There is widespread disparity in access to oral health care in Los Angeles County. Within JWCH's service area, 42.3% of residents with household incomes below 100% FPL did not see a dentist within the past year. Additionally, 42.2% of these residents reported that the condition of their teeth was fair or poor, compared to 29.8% of area residents. Disparities in access are even more prevalent among RWP clients. According to LA County Department of Public Health, from 2021-2022, there were a total of 21,877 RWP clients and only 4,153 (19%) unduplicated RWP clients received oral health care, a decrease in utilization of 7% over 5 years. The high need for oral health care among the low-income residents and in particular RWP clients is apparent by the extensive wait times -- as long as 3 months for non-emergent dental appointments experienced across our dental clinics. The population to be served includes underserved, low-income, indigent and homeless individuals disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS including individuals of color, and LGBTQ+. Proposed services: JWCH Institute, Inc. (JWCH) respectfully requests $150,000 in support from HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program, category Infrastructure Development, sub-category Dental Equipment for Expanding Dental Service Capacity. Through this project we will expand our capacity to serve Ryan White Program (RWP) clients by purchasing new dental equipment for our health center, Wesley Health Centers-Vermont Dental & Optometry. This health center is currently under development in response to the high need for dental services in East Hollywood, particularly for RWP participants. This new health center will be solely operated by JWCH but will be a part of a large housing project in collaboration with Little Tokyo Services Center. This is a multifamily housing development project consisting of 185 affordable residential units with two managerial units, mostly commonly known as Santa Monica-Vermont Apartments. The health center is a 5,056 sq. ft. space integrated into the housing project and will include six dental chairs, three of which will be used to provide care to RWP clients in addition to space for primary care, behavioral health, optometry, and other services. We propose to increase our capacity to provide dental services in the East Hollywood Community and purchase needed dental equipment with the requested funding. Impact: This project will result in increased efficiency and timeliness of service delivery and expand the availability of oral health care services for underserved populations and persons disproportionately affected by HIV. Through this project we expect to serve 1250 unduplicated patients, including 300 for RWP clients through an additional 5,000 dental visits annually.
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).