Michigan Chronicle | April 11, 2022

CHAG’s project will provide high-impact HIV prevention services for Young Men of Color who have Sex with Men (YMSM) (13-34) and their partners regardless of age, gender, and race/ethnicity in the City of Detroit. It will focus on those at greatest risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection.

“For over 35 years, Community Health Awareness Group has worked tirelessly to address Detroit’s HIV challenge using the most effective proven interventions in response to the needs of those most at-risk,” said CEO Cindy Bolden Calhoun. “This new funding opportunity uniquely positions our organization in collaboration with LGBT Detroit to address those core social determinates of health, such as access to quality healthcare, education, poverty, stigma and racism, that continue to place the priority population of young black men who have sex with men at-risk.”

Combining evidence-based, cost-effective interventions targeting the right people in the right places, CHAG will work to 1) Prevent New HIV Infections; 2) Improve HIV-Related Health Outcomes of persons with HIV (PWH); 3) Reduce HIV-Related Disparities and Health Inequities; and 4) Achieve Integrated, Coordinated Efforts That Address the HIV Epidemic among all Partners and Stakeholders.

Funding will be used to increase prioritized rapid HIV testing, status awareness and linkage to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for YMSM at high risk of acquiring HIV, woven together in a status neutral approach to include linkage to medical care and antiretrovirals (ARV) for prevention or treatment, essential services, including Life Points, CHAG’s Syringe Services Program (SSP), and re-engaging out of care clients with HIV treatment/prevention care. The program will include integrated STI/Viral Hepatitis screening/treatment and linking or referring clients to high-impact behavioral interventions. Condoms will be distributed to all clients.

CHAG will collaborate with LGBT Detroit, a nationally recognized advocacy organization for the LGBT population, to provide safe spaces for the prioritized population. The agency will work with the city and state health departments to respond to HIV outbreaks and clusters. The program will also incorporate program promotion, outreach and recruitment utilizing Social Network Strategies, targeted outreach and enhanced social media.

For more information, visit www.chagdetroit.org.