Innovative Projects

Stigma Fighters Project (R1):   

Decrease HIV stigma through the development and facilitation of a series of Stigma Fighter trainings that increase community support and advocacy. Activities will include dialogues with faith leaders and community stakeholders.  

Stigma Index (R4):  

To better position services and programs, Unified will build on previous experience implementing the Stigma Index to facilitate another round of the data collection. The data and information gleaned from previously implemented the stigma index have been used extensively in planning and providing care for PLWH in Detroit. For more information go to: https://miunified.org/Services/StigmaProject  

Financial and Housing Stability for Transgender PLWH (R2): 

Provides focused support for transgender and nonbinary people living with HIV to improve their financial situations through employment skills, career coaching, housing stability, mental health and access to medical services and other resources. 

For more information, go to www.corktownhealth.org.  

Community Resource Navigation (R1):  

Address the economical, education, health care, community, and social needs of PLWH using a Community Resource Navigator (CRN) to achieve viral suppression.  

For more information, go to Oakland Livingston Health Service Agency 

Behavioral Health (R1):  

Rapid, informal mental health services that streamlines the process and reduces stigma of obtaining mental healthcare. Provides access via text messaging and other forms of technology.  

In-Home Phlebotomy (R1):  

In-home blood draws (viral load, CD4, etc.) by a nurse or medical assistant. This service will address a multitude of barriers (lack of time, reliance on mass transit [especially during COVID crisis], hourly workers who loses pay by taking time off, child care, etc.) that keep PLWH from attending medical appointments. 

Intensive Services Program (R2): 

Matrix designed a program to provide the resources that have the greatest impact on an individual’s social determinants of health. These include food, housing, transportation, income (jobs/entitlements), and education. Current Ryan White restrictions limit the capacity by which providers can assist clients in overcoming these barriers that would enable them to become fully self-sufficient and in turn assist them in being medically adherent and virally suppressed. 

For more information go to: matrixhumanservices.org/community-health/ 

Telehealth Navigation (R1): 

Through the deployment of a Telehealth Navigator and distribution of phones, this program will address technological telehealth barriers to improve retention in care among people living with HIV, specifically young MSM, older African American MSM and women. 

Housing Resources (R1): 

Through distribution of a Housing Resource Guide and participation in housing planning processes and workgroups develop a team of housing experts to help PLWH and providers overcome barriers to accessing stable housing. For more information, go to chagdetroit.org/housing-resources 

Women Organizing Resources and Knowledge Evaluation Plan (R4): 

A supportive housing demonstration project that will provide wrap-around support services needed to Women Living with HIV that have children. Support services would include transportation, childcare, trauma-informed mental health care and treatment, psychosocial support, financial literacy training, and career and educational opportunities. 

Perinatal HIV Self-Care Empowerment Group (R2): 

This project aims to help young adults and adults with perinatal HIV (from Horizons and Tolan Park) who traditionally have a very difficult road to self-care and medication adherence.  Through bi-monthly groups (zoom and in-person when possible) that combine yoga, self-care talks, Zumba, meditation, movies and concept groups for adherence initiative ideas and planning they bring together persons with perinatal HIV in a safe place to foster self-care. For more information, go to waynepediatrics.org/services/specialty-care/hiv-aids-prevention-and-treatment. 

Mobile Perinatal Services with Directly-Observed Therapy (R3): 

A mobile team consisting of a perinatal advocate/case manager and an advanced practice nurse will serve pregnant HIV positive women during pregnancy and for 18 months post-partum.  

Increasing Access to HIV Informed Mental Health Services (R3): 

Responding to a growing need during COVID, WSU is providing access to mental health services both on site and via telehealth.