HEP C free

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $5.604990 million to Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, Inc. on September 30, 2025, under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.243) to implement Hep C Free Delaware.

The recipient will deliver statewide, low-threshold hepatitis C care integrating rapid HCV RNA point-of-care testing, same-day direct-acting antiviral treatment, and behavioral health services for adults 18 and older with substance use disorders and/or serious mental illness, including those experiencing homelessness. The program will serve 200 individuals annually (600 total over the performance period) and cure hepatitis C in 51 to 100 people each year. Key interventions include HCV testing and DAA-based treatment, HIV and STI screening and prevention, FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment, mental health counseling, and care coordination delivered through four fixed clinic sites and a mobile treatment unit across Delaware. Services will employ trauma-informed and mobile care strategies targeting unsheltered or disconnected populations. The recipient will use its NextStep electronic health record system and submit data via SPARS, employing a cascade of care evaluation model.

The award period runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2027. Work is performed in Wilmington, Delaware.

Abstract

HEP C free delaware brandywine counseling and community services (BCCS) will implement HEP C free delaware. This pilot will deliver statewide, low-threshold care integrating rapid HCV testing, same-day treatment, and behavioral health services for individuals with SUD and/or SMI, including those experiencing homelessness. The program will serve 200 individuals annually (600 total) and cure HCV in 51-100 people each year. The population of focus includes adults (18+) statewide who are disproportionately impacted by hepatitis C (HCV) due to current or past injection drug use, CO-occurring substance use and/or mental health disorders (SUD/SMI), and homelessness. Delaware reports over 5,600 individuals living with chronic HCV, with prevalence sharply higher among people who inject drugs (kahal & rutan, 2020; university of washington, 2025). Based on the demographics of HCV prevalence, the population served will be predominantly male, with racial and ethnic characteristics reflecting delaware's demographics - 60.4% white, 10.5% hispanic (U.S. Census bureau, 2025). Homelessness, behavioral health needs, and high rates of uninsurance compound care access barriers. HEP C free delaware will address these challenges with trauma-informed, mobile, and low-threshold care strategies targeting individuals who are unsheltered or disconnected from traditional healthcare. Key interventions include HCV RNA point-of-care testing, DAA-based treatment, HIV/STI screening and prevention, FDA-approved mat, mental health counseling, and care coordination. The program will use BCCS's nextstep electronic health record and submit data via spars, employing a cascade of care evaluation model. Services will be provided at four fixed clinic sites and through a mobile treatment unit. Goals are to: (1) increase the number of individuals cured of HCV; (2) reduce the incidence of HCV and HIV in delaware through outreach and prevention; (3) address the intersection of SUD, SMI, infectious diseases, and homelessness; (4) reduce infectious diseases and conditions, including HIV/aids, STI's, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis, as appropriate; and (5) increase access to peer support and care coordination. Measurable objectives include serving at least 200 individuals annually, providing same-day HCV screening, testing, and treatment with a goal of curing HCV in 51-100 participants each year. All clients will be assessed for CO-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and 100% who are eligible for and consent to participate will receive integrated, evidence-based treatment with care coordination and peer support. The program will offer screening for HCV, HIV, stis, hepatitis a/B/C, and tuberculosis to all participants, ensuring immediate linkage to care for those who test positive and prevention education for those who test negative. At least 75% of clients will demonstrate reduced symptoms or harmful behaviors by six months post-treatment. Mobile outreach will engage unsheltered individuals across the state, while prevention and education campaigns will be implemented in each of delaware's three counties.