Rocky BOY health center hepatitis C elimination initiative pilot

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Rocky Boy Health Center $686,868 on September 30, 2025, under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.243) to pilot an integrated hepatitis C elimination initiative.

Rocky Boy Health Center will deliver same-day hepatitis C and HIV screening and testing with concurrent screening for substance abuse disorder and severe mental illness to at least 600 individuals annually over the three-year project period (September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2027). Patients with positive hepatitis C test results will receive same-day results, medication initiation for hepatitis C, and linkage to care coordination and ongoing treatment. The initiative will treat and cure between 25 and 50 individuals per year through integrated hepatitis C, HIV, substance abuse disorder, and severe mental illness treatment. The project also includes outreach and prevention activities, peer support and care coordination, and documentation of best practices and lessons learned.

The project serves primarily people residing on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, located in Hill and Chouteau Counties in Montana. Performance takes place in Box Elder, Montana. Rocky Boy Health Center is a tribally owned health services provider operated by the Chippewa Cree Tribe.

Abstract

Rocky BOY health center - hepatitis C elimination initiative pilot the rocky BOY health center is applying for funding for the proposed rbhc HEP C free initiative to pilot an integrated care approach to prevent, test for, treat and cure hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals with substance abuse disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI) on the rocky BOY's indian reservation. Project name: rbhc HEP C free initiative population to be served: the project will serve primarily people residing on the rocky BOY's indian reservation, located in hill and chouteau counties in montana. Strategies and interventions include outreach and prevention; same-day HCV and HIV screening, testing, and treatment initiation; ongoing treatment; peer support and care coordination; and documenting best practices and lessons learned while implementing the initiative. The goal of the rbhc HEP C free initiative is to pilot an integrated care approach to prevent, test for, treat, and cure hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals on the rocky BOY's indian reservation while addressing risk factors for HCV (e.g., substance abuse disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI). To achieve this goal, we have developed the following measurable objectives: objective 1 - same-day screening, testing and treatment: during the 3-year project period, the rbhc HEP C free initiative will provide integrated same-day HCV and HIV screening and testing with concurrent screening for SUD and SMI to at least 600 individuals per year. Patients with positive HEP C test results will receive same-day results, initiation of medication for HCV, and linkage to care coordination and ongoing treatment. Objective 2 - same-day and ongoing treatment: during the 3-year project period, the rbhc HEP C free initiative will provide same-day and ongoing integrated HCV, HIV, SUD, and SMI treatment, treating and curing between twenty-five (25) and fifty (50) individuals of HCV annually. Objective 3 - peer support and care coordination: during the 3-year project period, the rbhc HEP C free initiative will provide care coordination and peer support for at least 70 patients with HCV, HIV, SUD, and/or SMI for the purpose of supporting continuity of care across providers based on each individual patient's needs. Objective 4 - outreach and prevention: during the 3-year project period, the rbhc HEP C free initiative will conduct one (1) comprehensive outreach and education campaign for individuals and families in the rocky BOY community. The project will serve 600 individuals annually and 1,800 over the course of the project.