The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded nearly $35 million in grant funding this month to bring essential behavioral health services and HIV prevention and care to historically underserved populations.
The awards include:
- $21.9 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative: Substances Use Disorder Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations at High Risk for HIV/AIDS. This program increases engagement in care for racial and ethnic medically underserved individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and/or co-occurring SUDs and mental health conditions (COD) who are at risk for or living with HIV. Award recipients will take a syndemic approach to SUD, HIV and viral hepatitis.
- $10.5 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative: Substance Use and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities. This program provides substance use and HIV prevention services to racial and ethnic minority populations at high risk for SUDs and HIV infection. The program places emphasis on those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and Intersex persons who are not in stable housing and/or reside in communities with high rates of HIV, viral hepatitis (including Hep A, B, and C), and/or sexually transmitted infections.
- $1.9 million for the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund: Integrated Behavioral Health and HIV Care for Unsheltered Populations Pilot Project. This pilot program provides comprehensive healthcare for racial and ethnic medically underserved people experiencing unsheltered homelessness through the delivery of portable clinical care delivered outside that is focused on the integration of behavioral health and HIV treatment and prevention services.
