Heydenver HIV/STI testing program expansion in denver and colorado springs - CHN proposes to expand its highly effective heydenver HIV/STI testing model in denver and colorado springs (testing program…

Heydenver HIV/STI testing program expansion in denver and colorado springs - CHN proposes to expand its highly effective heydenver HIV/STI testing model in denver and colorado springs (testing program name TBD) to increase the number of individuals who are unaware of their HIV status and increase integrated screenings. CHN?s heydenver and coloradosprings office locations will target men who have SEX with men and be located in the epicenter of where the majority of new HIV diagnoses are occurring and enable CHN to effectively diagnose, treat, prevent and respond to the rise in new HIV and STI diagnoses in colorado. CHN?s heydenver program provides a strong model that can be recreated in different communities and tailored to the unique needs of community (i.e. hours, volunteer base, decor, location, etc.) but still maintain the core components that allow IT to be effective (i.e. free, confidential, inclusive, etc.). These new locations will be integrated into CHN?s comprehensive infrastructure providing programs and services for people at high-risk of acquiring HIV and people living with HIV (plwh) to ensure that they are linked to medical care and actively engaged in that care. The provision of HIV testing and prevention services across the denver metropolitan area and colorado springs locations will enable CHN to reach the top five counties where the majority of new HIV diagnoses (80% of new cases) have been occurring. The two heydenver locations will serve the denver metropolitan area, and the new colorado springs location will serve EL paso county. In 2019, denver county had the highest total number of new HIV diagnoses at 173 followed by 78 in arapahoe county, 45 in EL paso county, 42 in adams county and 38 in jefferson county. The addition of another heydenver and colorado springs testing locations will increase access to HIV testing for MSM which will be integrated into CHN?s well-established, comprehensive HIV prevention program. These locations will be based on heydenver?s streamlined model of HIV testing that incl udes delivering key information to clients, conducting the HIV test, completing brief risk screening, providing test results, and delivering referrals tailored to the client?s specific risk. To reach populations at high risk for HIV infection, heydenver will enhance its current strategic targeting and recruitment efforts to focus on engaging latino and african american MSM.