Status (strengthen testing, access, & treatment to understand status) - project status (strengthen testing, access, & treatment to understand status) is a concentrated prevention navigation effort…

Status (strengthen testing, access, & treatment to understand status) - project status (strengthen testing, access, & treatment to understand status) is a concentrated prevention navigation effort by black effort against the threat of aids coalition trust (beat aids) in partnership with corazon ministries, the health department and numerous health and social services providers to test for HIV/HEP b & c, link, engage, and retain high risk young men who have SEX with men (ymsm) and older men who have SEX with MSM as well as transgender women engaged in male-to female SEX and their partners into inclusive, culturally competent, substance misuse prevention, treatment and other support services. Problem: substance use disorders impact the lives of millions of americans. People who identify as GAY, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (lgbtq) are particularly vulnerable and disproportionally impacted by substance misuse that is often related to trauma, stigma, and marginalization. Various studies have shown that substance misuse rates are 2-4 times higher among lgbtq+ youth and adults compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Population to be served: low-income, underserved minority young men who have SEX with men (ymsm) (ages 18-29) and men who have SEX with men (MSM) (ages 30 and older) in the african-american and latino population as well as transgender women engaged in male-to female SEX and their partners residing in high need areas in SAN antonio, TX. The overarching goals of status include: 1) to locate and test ymsm between the ages 18 and 29 and MSM ages 30 and over at high risk for HIV or with HIV/aids and engage them into HIV and viral hepatitis testing and linkages, substance abuse and mental health treatment as well as primary health care and social and supportive services.; 2) to prevent/reduce the incidence and transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis among project status clients and their partners; 3) to prevent/reduce the use and problems associated with substance use disorders and/or CO-occurring substance use and mental disorders among project status clients; 4 to remove barriers to service and enhance the health and mental health status of project status clients; and 5) to increase the degree and maintenance of social services among project status clients. Expected outcomes: project status will provide HIV testing to 475 unduplicated persons of color over five years and will engage and link 100% of persons living with HIV into medical treatment and social support services within 72 hours of diagnosis. Additional services will include, but are not limited to, community mobilization events, syringe services, screening for HIV, stds, and viral hepatitis, smoking cessation kits, and dispensing FDA-approved overdose referral medication. Further, we anticipate an overall reduction of the incidence of substance misuse and related health disparities among ymsm, MSM and transgender women engaged in male-to female SEX and their partners in the SAN antonio community.