Partnership To End Aids Status Incorporated

PREVENTION OUTREACH SUBSTANCE USE AND HIV/HCV (POSH) PROJECT - THE PREVENTION OUTREACH SUBSTANCE USE AND HIV/HCV (POSH) PROJECT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS APPLICATION ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO ADDRESS THE SYNDEMIC CONDITIONS OF HIV, HCV AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. PARTNERSHIP TO END AIDS STATUS (PEAS) HAS BEEN PROVIDING OUTREACH, HIV PREVENTION, AND LINKAGE TO CARE SERVICES IN MEMPHIS SINCE 2009, WITH A FOCUS ON BLACK MEMPHIANS, MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS. A BETOR WAY WAS FOUNDED IN 2019 WITH THE MISSION OF REDUCING THE HARMS OF DRUG USE, INCLUDING HIV, HCV AND OVERDOSE. DR. ORISHA BOWERS, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL HARM REDUCTION COALITION, WILL AID IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS NETWORKING WITH THE MEMPHIS SUD AND HIV/HCV PROVIDERS. FINALLY, MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE, THE NATIONS LARGEST HISTORICALLY BLACK ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER, WILL LEAD THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLAN, AND CONDUCT ALL EVALUATION. THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL MEET THE FOLLOWING FOUR GOALS: (1) DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO REDUCE HIV, HCV, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AMONG BLACK MEMPHIANS; (2) DECREASE HIV AND VIRAL HEPATITIS INFECTION AMONG RESIDENTS OF MEMPHIS AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES; (3) INCREASE LINKAGE TO SUD TREATMENT AND HARM REDUCTION SERVICES; AND (4) SOLIDIFY AND AUGMENT THE SYSTEM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH OR AT RISK OF HIV THAT ALSO USE DRUGS.