Reachr-respond to our targeted populatione-educate on risk behaviorsa-achieve targeted goalsc- care for and treat HIV + indiviidualsh - halt the spread of HIV - heartland cares, INC, is a non-profit…

Reachr-respond to our targeted populatione-educate on risk behaviorsa-achieve targeted goalsc- care for and treat HIV + indiviidualsh - halt the spread of HIV - heartland cares, INC, is a non-profit organization, with a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, providing comprehensive, client-centered, quality health care, support services, prevention and education, and HIV testing. Quality health care is provided to persons living withhiv/aids, support services are provided to clients and their families, and prevention education and testing are provided to clients, theirfamilies, and the community at large. Within the community, we strive to prevent new infections and reduce the stigma associated withthis disease by promoting awareness, acceptance, and equality. Our principal clinic is located in paducah, KY. In addition, we partner with two other organizations to operate satellite clinics in order toprovide medical services in closer proximity to these clients. Heartland cares partners with jackson county (IL) health department inmurphysboro, illinois, and with ST. Luke?s free clinic in hopkinsville, kentucky, to provide clinic hours in each location one day permonth. We currently service 26 counties in western kentucky and 17 counties in southern illinois. We have two contracted infectiousdiseases providers and when fully staffed, HCI has 27 employees on staff. Our rural service area consists of more than 16,000 squaremiles with a population of more than one million persons.heartland cares seeks funding from the centers for disease control and prevention through the comprehensive high-impact hivprevention programs for community-based organizations (CDC-FRA-PS21-2102). Funding will be utilized to increase capacity toperform HIV and other integrated viral hepatitis, STD and TB testing with a specific target of rural, black/african american males havingsexual contact with other males (MSM). According to research, nearly fifteen (15) percent of african americans with HIV are unawarethey have IT. Individuals who do not know they have HIV are more likely to transmit IT to others. This targeted group also has higherrate s of some sexually transmitted diseases (stds), which increases an individual?s chance of getting or transmitting HIV.heartland cares is committed to continuing to provide exemplary service in the efforts to reduce the spread of HIV. We currentlyprovide a comprehensive plan for HIV prevention services to identify persons with HIV and high-risk HIV negative persons in ourprevention and outreach program. Given the opportunity to work with the CDC to implement activities under this program, we willimplement strategies that align with the nation?s ending the HIV epidemic initiative (EHE): a plan for america ? Diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond.with more than 40,000 black/african american males currently living in our service area, heartland cares will increase the number ofpersons who are aware of their HIV status and increase the receipt of integrated screenings to those in this population. Assuring thatindividuals are aware of their status is a primary goal of this strategy. Those who are newly diagnosed with HIV will be immediatelylinked to care and antiretroviral therapy (art) and will receive comprehensive services in our principal clinic or one of our satelliteclinics. Those who are previously diagnosed but are not in care, will be RE-engaged in these comprehensive services. We will also workwith HIV-negative individuals who continue to participate in behaviors that put them at-risk to employ strategies that will increase theirlikelihood of remaining HIV negative.