Thursday, March 13, 2025
3/13/2025
Abstract Project Title: Improving Health Outcomes for People Living with HIV: Indiana’s Response Applicant Organization Name: Indiana Department of Health Address: 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Project Director: Mark Schwering Contact Phone Numbers: 317-233-7189 (voice); 317-233-7663 (fax) Email address: mschwering@health.in.gov Website: www.in.gov/health/ Program Funds Requested: $8,991,810 Funding Preference: Not Applicable In 2017, with initial Ryan White Supplemental funding, the Indiana Department of Health’s Division of HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis began expanding services, service providers, reducing barriers and building capacity for access to and retention in care The Division’s program philosophy (creating one stop shop models) assists in the reduction of individual, community, and statewide viral loads and facilitates the goals of Ending the Epidemic (EHE) in Indiana, Continuum of Care and HRSA/HAB objectives. Although the Division has significantly improved the health care delivery systems in Indiana (both urban and rural), the work continues. The Division is requesting $8,9991,810 to: 1) reduce disparities; 2) link clients to and retain to care: 3) reduce viral loads; and 4) Ending the Epidemic (EHE) in Indiana. The Division’s goals are consistent with those outlined in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), the State’s Integrated Plan of Care and Ending the HIV Epidemic Campaign and responds to the results of the Needs Assessment. Of the $8,180,000 requested for services; $6,480,000 or 79.22% are directed toward Core Services and $1,700,000 or 20.78% directed toward supportive services. The Division supports the concept of a one-stop shop model of care, by partnering with community agencies and clients within individual jurisdictions. The goal is to provide access to care through each agency, even if the services are not directly provided by an individual agency. The idea is to have in place referral mechanisms to needed services throughout the entire geographic area. Services to be made available include, but not limited to; medical and non-medical case management, housing, outpatient ambulatory health services, mental health services, ADAP, substance abuse services, medical nutrition therapy and food banks/home delivered meals, psychosocial services, medical transportation, and emergency financial services. Funding for the majority of these services is requested in this grant (see budget for details). This one-stop shop model concept is reflected in Indiana’s Integrated Plan of Care, the Coordinated Statement of Need, the Ending the Epidemic Campaign, Zero is Possible in Indiana (ZIP-IN) and this application. The priority setting and resource allocations are based on the identification of gaps in services that prevent access to and retention in care; impact of co-factors, emerging populations, and barriers to care. Supplemental funds will increase the core medical and supportive services to urban and rural geographic areas and high prevalence areas of the state that currently do not offer a full care continuum of service and help to build systemic care models. A positive marker of the program is a statewide increase (4%) in viral suppression since 2018. In 2023 the viral load rate for those actively enrolled in Ryan White Program was 84%. To evaluate and measure the impact of supplemental funding and increased services/providers, Indiana has established goals/outcomes to increase the percent of persons engaged in care by up to 5% and increase the percent of persons who achieve viral load suppression by up to 5%. In Indiana, 77% of people with HIV have been retained in HIV care, 69% achieved viral load suppression, and 23% are left with unmet needs for HIV care (HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Division Continuum of Care, 2023).
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).