Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into an initial contract with qualified vendor, Lutheran Social Services. Lutheran Social Services will be funded for the delivery of Ending the HIV Epidemic services. These services include, but not limited to Housing Services, Emergency Financial Assistance, and Medical Transportation to achieve viral suppression for individuals living with HIV. The priority populations to be served include men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, people who inject drugs, and persons who engage in sex work. The contract period is from March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $125,000.00.
Columbus Public Health receives funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), per Ordinance 0441-2024. The purpose of this grant is to focus resources in jurisdictions with substantial HIV burden to implement strategies, interventions, approaches, and core medical and support services to reduce new HIV infections in the United States. Locally, Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Program funds the provision of medical and support services to any persons living with HIV to agencies that reside/provide direct services in Franklin County. The overarching goal for this initiative is to reduce new HIV infections in the United States to less than 3,000 per year by 2030.
Throughout the fiscal year, Columbus Public Health monitors spending by all Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) providers and makes necessary adjustments for service reallocation, per grant service category to service clients in Central Ohio. These said services are measured by need in the community, in conjunction with Ending the HIV Epidemic initiatives and program capacity. Any services or goods provided in concurrence with this contract are based on a deliverable service count ...
Click here for full text