Eskenazi health center substance use treatment in primary care - the eskenazi health center substance use treatment in primary care project seeks to increase engagement in care for racial and ethnic…

Eskenazi health center substance use treatment in primary care - the eskenazi health center substance use treatment in primary care project seeks to increase engagement in care for racial and ethnic medically underserved individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) who are at risk for or living with HIV. The project is a partnership between eskenazi health center and marion county public health department (MCPHD) safe syringe access and services (safe syringe) program that will focus on racial and ethnic minorities in marion county, indiana. Eskenazi health center will partner with MCPHD safe syringe to provide SUD treatment and recovery support services to individuals with or at risk for HIV. Patients will be screened for SUD, and they will also be offered point-of-care HIV testing. Patients that screen positive for opioid use will receive case management, linkage to care, moud and prep, if appropriate. Samhsa funds will also be used to establish a connections cafe that will serve as a safe, nonjudgmental space for people who inject drugs to socialize and access services in a noncoercive way. The connections cafe will offer socialization opportunities for pwid with their peers and individuals in recovery through games, movie nights, and group activities. The connections cafe will also offer weekly sessions such as art therapy, technical skills training, healthy living with HCV, grief counseling, and more. Goals and objectives for the proposed project include the following: 1. Create a coordinated, comprehensive program to address substance use disorder and the associated high risk behaviors within eskenazi health primary care. 2. Provide evidence-based SUD/COD treatment and recovery support services and HIV testing to 200 unduplicated individuals each year. 3. Link patients at high risk for HIV and HCV relative to substance use to appropriate treatment and/or harm reduction services. 4. Improve access to SUD treatment within a healthcare system capable of wraparound services relative to individual healthcare needs. 5. Introduce quarterly continuing education opportunities relative to stigma, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, etc. To primary care providers. 6. Offer weekly educational sessions for cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, and other mental/behavioral health needs through connections cafe. 7. Improve health equity for marginalized populations affected by SUD, infectious diseases, and other risky behaviors. 8. Offer technical skills training and legal aid assistance to people engaged with the connections cafe. 9. Offer mat financial assistance to uninsured patients desiring SUD treatment beginning in january 2024. Eskenazi health center and MCPHD already have robust programs in place for people who are at risk for HIV. Patients at risk for HIV or those living with HIV receive case management and linkage to care services. Eskenazi health center and MCPHD also continue to grow services for people with substance use disorders. Clients can receive treatment and harm reduction services at any of the EHC sites or via the MCPHD safe syringe program. The combination of experience and services will allow successful implementation of the proposed project.