This Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETC) Program (CFDA 93.145) provides $371,788 to Cook County Health to enhance comprehensive medical and support services for persons living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in the Chicago Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA).
Key funded activities include: 1) Increasing the number of persons receiving targeted HIV counseling, testing, and referral services to 5,000 annually, with a focus on expanding testing and linkage among transgender individuals, cisgender women, African American men who have sex with men (MSM), Latinx MSM, and substance users; 2) Improving behavioral health and social services to enhance retention in care and viral suppression rates among adolescent/young adult patients from 72% to 80%; and 3) Providing comprehensive medical care, including on-site case management, substance abuse/mental health counseling, patient navigation, and benefits assistance.
The award aims to strengthen Cook County Health's role as the largest provider of HIV services in Illinois, delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to over 5,400 clients annually. As a sub-recipient under this grant, Cook County Health will collaborate with partners to expand access to critical HIV/AIDS services for vulnerable populations in the Chicago region.