Healthy connections/connexiones saludables (HC/CS) - in response to the U.S. Department of health and human services - substance abuse and mental health services administration (SAMHSA) FY 2024…

Healthy connections/connexiones saludables (HC/CS) - in response to the U.S. Department of health and human services - substance abuse and mental health services administration (SAMHSA) FY 2024 minority aids initiative: substance use disorders (SUD) prevention and treatment pilot program (short title: MAI PT pilot- TI-24-005), proceed, INC. Proposes to implement healthy connections/connexiones saludables (HC/CS). HC/CS is a comprehensive, spanish bilingual, culturally responsive, and participant centered health and wellness program aimed at addressing multiple syndemics -- substance use disorders, HIV, viral hepatitis (VH), sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) and behavioral health issues impacting individuals and communities and contributing to poorer health outcomes. The population of focus (POF) for HC/CS are racial and ethnic medically underserved individuals, 18 and older, that are at risk for, or living with HIV and/or an SUD, SUD/COD, with emphasis on engaging black and latino GAY, bisexual, and other men who have SEX with men (MSM), men who have SEX with men and women (MSMW), black women, transgender men and women and people who inject drugs (PWID) that reside in essex and union counties, NJ. HC/CS will facilitate POF engagement, access and use of medical, health, and human services and supports to reduce the negative health and social impacts from these syndemic conditions. HC/CS will incorporate evidence-based, trauma-informed, resiliency-oriented practices/strategies to address needs of POF at the individual and community levels. Project activities include: • targeted outreach and engagement of POF in essex and union county, NJ. • environmental scan/organizational readiness assessment (ORA) to identify existing community substance use, HIV, VH, and STD prevention and treatment assets, strengths, opportunities, and gaps relevant to the program's goals. • health advisory group comprised of POF, health and human service providers and community stakeholders to promote, advise and inform HC/CS project activities. • HIV, STD, VH screening and testing; mental health, CO-occurring disorder screening • SUD and SUD/COD evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions • formalized partnerships with medical facilities for service referrals and linkage to HIV/STD/VH treatment and/or access to HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PREP) and VH-a and B, human papilloma virus, pneumonia vaccinations. • harm reduction/overdose prevention education, equipment and supplies, including opioid reversal medication, fentanyl test strips, clean syringes, hygiene and safer SEX kits. • health navigation, case management and peer support services. • continuous training and workforce development for project staff and partners on HIV, SUD, STD, VH treatments, harm reduction best practices, and the delivery of culturally, linguistically and situationally appropriate health services. Over the five-year project period, IT is anticipated that HC/CS will deliver 1500 service encounters to approximately 450 unduplicated POF.