Minority aids initiative: substance use disorder treatment for racial/ethnic minority populations at high risk for HIV/aids - mercy care is a federally qualified health center serving nearly 16,000…

Minority aids initiative: substance use disorder treatment for racial/ethnic minority populations at high risk for HIV/aids - mercy care is a federally qualified health center serving nearly 16,000 homeless and economically or socially disenfranchised individuals and families annually in georgia's fulton and dekalb counties, including the city of atlanta. Mercy care provides primary, behavioral, dental, and vision care; primary HIV treatment and care; case management; peer support; and support from outreach and enrollment specialists and community health workers, all in one integrated setting. The population of focus for this grant is individuals living with or at risk for HIV/aids who have, or are at risk for, substance use disorder (SUD) or SUD with CO-occurring mental health conditions (COD), specifically homeless, low-income, and/or uninsured black heterosexuals and men who have SEX with men (MSM) who live in high-need catchment areas of fulton and dekalb counties. The purpose of this project is to increase engagement in care by achieving the following goals: expand screening for HIV, hepatitis b and c, SUD, and cods to prevent new infections and identify more patients in need of services; increase linkage to care for those newly diagnosed with HIV to improve HIV-related outcomes; improve treatment adherence and viral load suppression among those receiving HIV care to improve HIV-related outcomes; improve symptoms of cods in patients diagnosed with cods; improve staff competencies in evidence-based screening methods; and address barriers that prevent clients from receiving hepatitis care, primarily continued IV drug use, transiency, non-adherence, and limited resources. Mercy care expects to serve 38,500 people over the course of the five-year project.