I Save FL*

Learn more about Florida’s resources for people who misuse drugs and for their loved ones.

Florida Department Of Health In Miami-Dade County Providing Lifesaving Naloxone To Reduce Substance Abuse Deaths

November 2, 2022: Miami, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) is announcing the availability of free Naloxone (Narcan) Nasal Spray kits. This lifesaving medication could reduce thousands of substance abuse deaths across the state. Naloxone is available to people who use drugs, people with a history of drug use, others at risk of experiencing an overdose, friends, family members, and others who may witness an overdose. Kits consist of two Naloxone nasal sprays that are administered even without a health care professional present . . . Contact: Office of Communication, (786) 336-1276.

Fentanyl Poster

Florida Department of Children and Families Public Safety Alert: Fentanyl Kills – Signs of overdoes; what to do; where to get help.

SAMHSA Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series Prevention and Treatment of HIV Among People Living with Substance Use and/or Mental Disorders

New SAMHSA Guide Highlights HIV Prevention and Treatment for People with Substance Use and/or Mental Disorders* The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released Prevention and Treatment of HIV Among People Living with Substance Use and/or Mental Disorders, a guidebook that addresses the co-occurrence of HIV and mental illness and/or substance use disorder and reviews effective programs and practices to prevent HIV and, for those with HIV, to increase linkage and retention to care in order to improve health outcomes. (February 2021)

Prevention Toolkits

• Opiate Overdose
• Synthetic Drugs
• Impaired Driving
• Marijuana
• Underage Drinking

Gilead HIV Research Scholars*  The Research Scholars Program supports innovative basic and clinical research from emerging investigators around the world to incorporate new perspectives in our pursuit of scientific understanding and progress. We believe that new voices and research topics are needed to advance scientific knowledge in areas of unmet medical need and create a healthier world. . . The Research Scholars Program is actively working towards reducing potential barriers to entry and success for applicants from population groups who are typically underrepresented in research. Award selections are made without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression.

Please click here for the invitation letter for the HIV & Faith Ambassador Initiative from Wake Forest University.

This HIV & Faith Ambassador initiative is a collaborative endeavor of faith leaders/communities, and health providers to reduce stigma, disseminate HIV education, and link vulnerable populations to care. The primary goal of this program is to assist in developing impactful health ministries in faith communities, and to improve the quality of care for persons living with HIV and their families.

In order to receive grant and certificate of completion the participants will be required to: 

1. Fully participate in the 10 month cohort (July 2024- April 2025)
2. Participate in monthly one-on-one coaching with an assigned coach
3. Participate and complete the virtual orientation (onboarding Ambassadors – June 6, 2024)
4. Complete four online modules (July 2024-September 2024) 
5. Attend assigned monthly virtual workshop during the course of the program (October 3, 2024-April 6, 2024) 
6. Implement two community based events to raise awareness about HIV

Apply to the 2024-2025 HIV and Faith Ambassador program:  HFA Application 2024-2025

The application deadline is May 17, 2024 

*Applicants must be located in one of 12 Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas

MDEAT is committed to supporting the growth and development of Black-owned businesses throughout the county and to advocate for equitable participation in economic opportunities. Since 2009 and dating back to MDEAT’s predecessor agency, Metro Miami Action Plan (MMAP), MDEAT has supported Black businesses through grant funding, marketing support and technical assistance.

MDEAT is designed to act as a catalyst for economic vitality in the county’s Targeted Urban Areas. The advancement of underserved populations – such as predominately Black communities — are constricted by chronic levels of socio-economic issues. In Miami-Dade County where only roughly 2.5 percent (1,902 out of 74,627 in 2019) of registered small businesses are Black-owned, there are disparities and gaps within our small business ecosystem that must be addressed. MDEAT’s role is to continue supporting Black-owned businesses, connect them to much needed resources, and to continue fostering an ecosystem for small business development.

The agency further advocates policy aimed at improving the economic and social well-being of the community and individuals it serves through its Economic Development Action Committee. The committee advocates for economic parity between the Black community and the community-at-large so that all Miami-Dade County residents can live a safe, healthy and prosperous existence.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Engaging Survivors of Sexual Violence and Trafficking in HIV and Substance Use Disorder Services*

The purpose of this program is to support exploratory research and preliminary interventions to address the interrelated and compounding contextual factors that contribute to substance use and HIV risk among survivors of sex trafficking. This would be accomplished through research that builds new interventions and models of care that can effectively engage survivors of sex trafficking in care for substance use disorder (SUD), HIV, trauma, and other mental health outcomes and addresses key structural and social determinants of health that contribute to risk for sexual trafficking, as well as barriers to and facilitators of escaping continued exploitation. Eligibility is limited to city, township, county, special district, and state governments; Native American tribal governments and organizations; independent school districts; private, public, and state controlled institutions of higher education; nonprofits; for-profit organizations; small businesses; public/Indian housing authorities; eligible agencies of the federal government; faith-based or community-based organizations; non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions); non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations; foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement; regional organizations; and U.S. Territory or Possession

View the R01 NOFO* or view the R21 NOFO.*

NIH has issued a pair of NOFOs that invite applications at the intersection of HIV and aging that propose research that aims to meet the following objectives:

1. Improve the understanding of biological, clinical, and socio-behavioral aspects of aging through the lens of HIV infection and its treatment; and
2. Improve approaches for testing, preventing, and treating HIV infection and managing HIV-related comorbidities, co-infections, and complications in different populations and cultural settings by applying current aging science approaches.

Supporting multidisciplinary studies of HIV and aging is consistent with the mission of multiple NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs). Ten ICOs are supporting this NOFO, each with its own specific research interests to which researchers can tailor applications.

The earliest application submission date is May 5, 2024.

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day #HVAD | HIV.gov*

#HVAD

National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #APIMay19 | HIV.gov*

#APIMay19

HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day #HLTSAD | HIV.gov*

#HLTSAD

National HIV Testing Day #HIVTestingDay | HIV.gov*

#HIVTestingDay

Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #SHAAD | HIV.gov*

#SHAAD

National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NFHAAD | HIV.gov*

#NFHAAD

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day #HIVandAging | HIV.gov*

#HIVandAging

National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day #NAIRHHADay | HIV.gov*

#NAIRHHADay

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NGMHAAD | HIV.gov*

#NGMHAAD

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day #NLAAD2023 | HIV.gov*

#NLAAD

World AIDS Day | HIV.gov*

#WorldAIDSDay

AIDSVu World AIDS Day 2023 Message* For World AIDS Day 2023, AIDSVu pays tribute to those we have lost to HIV and commits to act alongside our partners to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care efforts.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NBHAAD | HIV.gov*

2024: Engage, Educate, Empower #NBHAAD

Meeting Black Women Where They Are: Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) Celebrates 15 Years* (HIV.gov) “SOS is a community mobilization that works! Nothing else that I can think of has been as longstanding and has had the impact on Black women that SOS has [in Florida].” Kalenthia Nunnally, Director of Blessing Hands Outreach, Inc. and Chair of the Miami-Dade County Chapter of Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) . . .

Love Letter to Black Women, They are the backbone of NMAC and our work* NMAC Blog (crosspost from POZ.com) . . . NMAC owes so much to so many. We will celebrate Black Women across our movements, from activists to women living with HIV, national advocates, community voices, federal leaders, heath department staff, healthcare workers, and researchers. There are also many important women focused organizations. NMAC will tell multiple stories . . .

HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day | HIV.gov*

#HIVISNOTACRIME

TheSEROProject: HINAC Day Global Rebrand

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NWGHAAD | HIV.gov*

#NWGHAAD

Love Letter to Black Women, They are the backbone of NMAC and our work* NMAC Blog (crosspost from POZ.com) . . . NMAC owes so much to so many. We will celebrate Black Women across our movements, from activists to women living with HIV, national advocates, community voices, federal leaders, heath department staff, healthcare workers, and researchers. There are also many important women focused organizations. NMAC will tell multiple stories . . .

Meeting Black Women Where They Are: Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) Celebrates 15 Years* (HIV.gov) “SOS is a community mobilization that works! Nothing else that I can think of has been as longstanding and has had the impact on Black women that SOS has [in Florida].” Kalenthia Nunnally, Director of Blessing Hands Outreach, Inc. and Chair of the Miami-Dade County Chapter of Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) . . .

In Honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day* Positive Women’s Network web post. “March 10, 2023– today marks the 18th annual observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (#NWGHAAD). At PWN, NWGHAAD is an opportunity to reflect on what we can do better for women, girls, trans, and non-binary folx living with HIV, and to honor the memory of those who have passed and in whose names we continue to fight . . .”

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NNHAAD | HIV.gov*

#NNHAAD

HIV.gov’s Guide to Planning Awareness Day Activities*

HIV.gov guide to help you plan for Awareness Day events, activities, and outreach.

The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust* serves as the lead agency for Miami-Dade County’s homeless Continuum of Care.

• Community Resource Guides* for the Homeless of Miami-Dade.
• Homeless Prevention
• Homeless Helpline 1 (877) 994-4357
• Unsheltered Homeless
• Unaccompanied Youth
• Fleeing Domestic Violence
• Families with Minor Children
• Veterans
• Sex Offenders and Predators

HOPE, Inc.* The only non-profit focused on fighting housing discrimination in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc. (HOPE, Inc.) is a private fair housing, not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 corporation established in 1988, dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and promoting fair housing. HOPE, Inc. employs a three-tiered system of private enforcement, education outreach and counseling to achieve its mission: to fight housing discrimination in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and to promote equal housing opportunities throughout Florida. Its programs are designed to ensure that people are offered the right to select housing of their choice without discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital or familial status, or such other protected classes as may be conferred by federal, state or local laws. HOPE, Inc. is engaged in testing for fair housing law violations and pursuing enforcement of meritorious claims. Since its inception, HOPE has achieved settlements for victims of housing discrimination cases totaling over $12 million.

Community Rightful Center Transitional Housing Employment Program

Mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities, underserved population and the socio-economically disenfranchised clients and their families through universal access to healthcare, case management, social, and employment services. CRC THEP seeks to provide services that encompass the “whole man” cultivating and rejuvenating the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of each individual we serve and to increase PLWH’s capacity to achieve housing stability. The Program also provides links to all possible care to clients to encourage and ensure positive growth and accountability, which will result in a healthier community.

Click here for more information.  

Click here for the Referral Form and Application

If you are homeless or about to be homeless, please contact the City of Miami Outreach team at 1 (877) 994-4357 for assistance and registration.

For homeless prevention, call 1 (877) 994-4357 and #1 to reach Camillus Homeless Prevention.

You can also call (305)-374-1065 ext. 510 for Camillus Homeless Prevention.

If you are a youth between the ages of 18-24 you can seek assistance by contacting Educate Tomorrow at (305) 374-3751.

If you are LGBTQ you can seek assistance by contacting Pridelines at (305) 571-9601.

In the case of domestic violence, please contact one of the numbers below:

• Florida Domestic Violence 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 1 (800) 500-1119
• Miami-Dade County Coordinated Victims Assistance Center (305) 285-5900 (Call/Text message 24/7)
• Advocates for Victims/Safespace Hotline – Central (305) 693-0232
• Advocates for Victims/Safespace Hotline – North (305) 758-2546
• Advocates for Victims/Safespace Hotline – South (305) 245-5011

HUD Resource Locator* 
HUD Resource Locator offers real-time HUD housing information at the fingertips of people looking to quickly connect with building managers, public housing authority representatives, and property management companies to inquire about housing availability and other housing-related questions.

Go Section 8*
PHCD has partnered with GoSection8 to provide a user-friendly way to list rental properties online. Listings are available to potential Housing Choice Voucher participants who are seeking apartments, duplexes, single-family homes or townhomes in the private market. Help is also provided via a toll-free number 1-888-466-7328.

Miami-Dade Housing Finance Authority*
Listing of affordable rental housing through HFA’s Multifamily Rental Program, Developers of multifamily housing receive low-interest rate loans to produce new or rehabilitated housing and agree to provide rents at affordable rates for persons of low and moderate income.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation*
Created by the Florida Legislature to help Floridians obtain safe, decent and affordable housing. The site has an online affordable housing locator service to find affordable rental housing around the state. Housing Assistance Network of Dade (HAND)Citrus Health Network is the lead agency in the Housing Assistance Network of Dade (HAND) program, a multi-agency partnership with Miami-Dade County and local municipalities making an effort to prevent homelessness by providing temporary rental assistance for eligible low-income individuals and families who are currently homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Permanent Housing Placement (PHP) 

PHP is designed for persons with HIV and provides assistance with your first month rent and security deposit on your new place.

Click here for program eligibility.  Or, to apply, call Care Resource at (305) 576-1234, ext. 129; 463; 493; or 311 to set up an eligibility determination appointment.

Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program* The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households pay for cooling or heating their homes. Miami-Dade County uses LIHEAP to help qualified residents pay their energy bill and offer additional help in cases of energy crisis.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Help for renters*. If you’re a renter looking for help with housing costs, you’re not alone: Programs providing rental assistance. Get to know your legal rights as a renter.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program* US Department of the Treasury resources.

Temporary Protection from Eviction (CDC.gov)* 

U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing a new order temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of community transmission in order to respond to recent, unexpected developments in the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rise of the Delta variant. It is intended to target specific areas of the country where cases are rapidly increasing, which likely would be exacerbated by mass evictions.

Affordable Connectivity Program* 

Stay Connected! The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. You are likely eligible if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant, or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch.  If your household is eligible, you could receive:

• Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
• A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP

United Way 2023 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Reports “Through the 2023 ALICE Report, we have been able to collect extensive data and analyze how it is affecting households financially, from nationwide to statewide to right here in Miami-Dade County. Nearly half a million Miami-Dade County households are financially insecure and unable to afford the basics.”

Miami-Dade County 2023 ALICE Report 

State-Specific 2023 ALICE Reports

Spotlight: Homeless Health Outreach Mobile Engagement (HHOME)* Video resources for the Ryan White Program.

“Transgender women have disproportionately higher rates of HIV. It Is estimated that 14% of transwomen in the United States are living with HIV. Numerous studies exist examining HIV in various populations and subgroups. However, data on the mechanisms of HIV in the transgender community is lacking. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) uses data to determine who is most at risk for HIV, and that data comes from healthcare providers. Unfortunately, for a long time, there was no mandate for providers to count transgender patients. Historically, transgender women were categorized as gay and bisexual men, although they have vastly different needs. The 2015 update to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy prioritized data collection for trans people, and its mandate went into effect in 2018. Recently, the CDC released data from a systematic biobehavioral study conducted to examine HIV risk factors among transwomen.”

Click here for the complete blog post.

“In the mission to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S., HIV testing is the critical entry point to prevention and care services. However, there are structural barriers that can make these services inaccessible to transgender and nonbinary people, including stigma, racism, poverty, transphobia, and previous negative experiences trying to navigate health care settings.”

Click here to read the complete HIV.gov blog post.*

CDC: HIV Prevention and Care for the Transgender Population*

Sage LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline* (Connects LGBTQ+ Older People Who Want To Talk With Friendly Responders Who Are Ready To Listen); Call (877) 360-LGBT (5428)

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline* (Formerly The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline); Call or text 988, or call 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255). For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

National Coalition for LGBT Health website*

National Sexual Assault Hotline*; Call (800) 656-HOPE (4673)

Trans Lifeline Hotline* (Peer Support Phone Service Run By Trans People For Trans And Questioning Peers); Call (877) 565-8860;

The Trevor Project* (Provides 24/7 Crisis Support Services To LGBTQ Young People); Call (866) 488-7386 or text 678678

Veterans Crisis Line* (For Veterans, Military Personnel, And Their Families); Call 988 and Press 1, or text 838255

Equality Florida – Florida Transgender Resource Guide Featuring South Florida Resources:

• • Mental Health Therapists
  • Primary Care Providers
  • Endocrinologists
  • Education/Community Support
  • Gender Expression
  • Medical
  • Legal, Insurance, Support Centers & Social Groups, Surgery, & Vocal Coaching

Trans in the South: A Directory of Trans-Affirming Health & Legal Service Providers*

Healthy People 2030: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health*

Transgender health care – Healthcare.gov* Applying for Marketplace coverage; Sex-specific preventive services; Plans with transgender exclusions.

Being on the Community Advisory Board allows for you to represent the Miami Latino MSM community and give input and insight on different aspects of our research projects, as well as helping in designing studies and procedures for our projects.

We are looking for Latino gay, bisexual, and other MSM for this role.

This is a great opportunity to make sure the Latino MSM community is represented in our research projects!

The role is compensated $50 monthly for your input, and if interested, please reach out to Brandon Quiroz (baq6@miami.edu) or Yareli Sosa (yxs1200@miami.edu) for more information. 

CDC Awards Funding for Transgender Status-Neutral Community-to-Clinic Models to End the HIV Epidemic* (HIV.gov – July 13, 2022)  At the end of June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded a total of $2 million in first-year funding to four organizations to develop models for community-to-clinic, status-neutral HIV prevention and care services for transgender persons. Click here* to read the complete HIV.gov blog post.  The four funding recipients are: Care Resource Community Health Center in Miami, FL; St. John’s Community Health in Los Angeles, CA; Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York, NY; and Whitman-Walker Health in Washington, DC.

Fenway Health* advocates for and delivers innovative, equitable, accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education. We center LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities to enable our local, national, and global neighbors to flourish.  #TransYouthMatter*

Project Access Foundation, Inc.* A nonprofit Community Health Center delivering Primary Care and Comprehensive HIV Prevention services at four (4) locations throughout Miami-Dade. Ryan White, private/commercial health plans are accepted, sliding fee scale is available. LGBTQ Friendly and a Transgender Safe Space! Email Angel Camacho for more information.

A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 2023 | The White House* In June 1969, a courageous group of Americans rose up to protest the violence and marginalization they faced in what became known as the Stonewall Uprising. Police had raided the Stonewall Inn — a gay bar located in New York City — and for the next six days they clashed with LGBTQI+ protestors, who bravely stood their ground. Their courage sparked a civil rights movement for the liberation of the LGBTQI+ community and changed our Nation forever. . .

The Importance of Trans Visibility* (nmac.org blogpost) Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces.

New HHS Report Released on Transgender Day of Visibility Offers Updated, Evidence-Based Roadmap for Supporting and Affirming LGBTQI+ Youth*  (Cross-posted from SAMHSA Newsroom) A new report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific research and consensus that LGBTQI+ youth are resilient and can thrive when they are supported and affirmed, but that pervasive discrimination, rejection, and bullying of LGBTQI+ youth has led to a nationwide mental health crisis. The report finds that this crisis is most acute for transgender youth, whose mental health and wellbeing is put at risk by policies that seek to restrict their access to appropriate health care and inclusion at school. HHS is releasing this report today, on Transgender Day of Visibility, to uplift transgender youth and the parents, teachers, and providers who support them.

#NHASeverywhere: Activate and Elevate – Transgender Justice Initiative* (HIV.gov, December 12, 2022) The HRC Foundation’s Transgender Justice Initiative (TJI) addresses the urgent needs of the trans community. Through leading community engagement efforts, capacity-building initiatives, economic empowerment programs, and public safety education campaigns, TJI works to combat the discrimination faced by trans people, while addressing the root causes of the physical danger and transphobia faced by the members of the trans community. The four key pillars of TJI are public safety, capacity building, strategic communications, and economic empowerment. Capacity building is at the core of two fellowship programs offered by the HRC Foundation—Activate and Elevate—as both are designed to help advance the leadership skills of Black, Hispanic, and Latino/Latina trans people.

The PRIDE Study. Your Story. Your Health* The PRIDE Study is supported by the community engagement efforts of PRIDEnet, a national network of individuals and organizations that engage LGBTQ+ people in health research. The main question we want to answer is: how does being LGBTQ+ influence physical, mental, or social health?

FDOH Fact Sheet: Shigella Infection Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has observed an increase in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella  infections (shigellosis) reported through national surveillance systems. XDR Shigella infections are resistant to all generally recommended antibiotics in the United States, making them difficult to treat.

NIAID comprehensive transgender training curriculum* developed by a group of transgender, gender nonbinary, and cisgender researchers and subject matter experts. The modules include:

• An Introduction to Transgender Communities
• Creating a Gender-Affirming HIV Research Environment
• HIV in Transgender Communities
• Trauma-Informed Care for Transgender Participants in HIV Research
• Clinical Considerations for Transgender Participants in HIV Research

You are invited to submit contributions relevant to the HIV/AIDS Community in any of these categories:

Ready, Set PrEP* at Care 4 U Community Health Center Be PrEPared! Care 4 U new patient PrEP opportunity. Earn $50 a month!

Florida Department of Health HIV PrEP and nPEP Providers List – by Area*

PrEP Locator – www.preplocator.org*

Please PrEP Me*

Free UHealth Clinic @ Walgreens HIV/STD and PrEP Website*

Barriers and Facilitators to Expanding PrEP Coverage in Southern Ending the HIV Epidemic States and Jurisdictions* A survey for health providers, programmers and public health practitioners. Southern AIDS Coalition in partnership with PrEP4All, is conducting a rapid landscaping to identify laws, policies and administrative requirements and approaches that impact PrEP access in the South. The analysis will center on coverage of costs, network sufficiency and community knowledge and demand. Information provided in this survey will be used to compile a non-exhaustive list of policies, requirements and approaches that can be used to guide recommendations, advocacy and implementation. Information provided here will be treated as anonymous and may be described in a summary report in aggregate–ie “X number of states have a specific policy or issue impacting coverage.” Information about your role, location and affiliation will be used for internal purposes and to share the results of this work and future activities. If you have questions or concerns please contact Michael@PrEP4All.org.

Health Centers on the Front Lines Podcast: Long-Acting injectable PrEP & HIV treatment* Video resources for the Ryan White Program.

Task Force Issues Draft Recommendation Statement on PrEP for HIV Prevention, Invites Public Comment* (HIV.gov, December 13, 2022) Healthcare professionals should prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to people at increased risk for HIV.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) today posted a draft recommendation statement on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV infection. Based on its review of the evidence, the Task Force recommends that healthcare professionals prescribe PrEP to people at increased risk for HIV to help prevent HIV infection. This is an A grade. 

PrEP Ancillary Support Services Now Allowable Use of CDC HIV Funding* (naccho.org, January 3, 2022) CDC will now allow domestic HIV prevention funding to be used to support PrEP ancillary services (such as laboratory testing costs) through the flagship health department program, PS18-1802.

CDC’s New #ShesWell Initiative Aims to Increase PrEP Awareness among Women and Their Healthcare Providers* (HIV.gov, August 23, 2021) CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together (Together) campaign recently launched a new initiative called #ShesWell, which is focused on increasing awareness about Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among women, building capacity among clinicians to prescribe PrEP to women who can benefit from it, and ultimately increasing PrEP use among women.

NASTAD PrEP Coverage Brief: PrEP Services Covered with No Cost-Sharing* (nastad.org, July 22, 2021) This National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) fact sheet walks through the coverage and cost-sharing requirements for public and private payers that come with this USPSTF Grade A recommendation. It summarizes federal guidance on implementing Preventive Services provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including new federal sub-regulatory guidance addressing PrEP services released on July 19, 2021. Contact NASTAD’s PrEP team at PrEP@NASTAD.org with questions or to request TA on PrEP financing and coverage.

HIV Prevention Certified Provider Program* HealthHIV has added a new module on PrEP Adherence to its HIV PCP program and is offering free, continuing education credits for its completion. The HIV Prevention Certified Provider Program is an online, self-paced CME curriculum composed of six modules in HIV prevention detailing the pertinent clinical and practice information that clinicians need to effectively employ HIV prevention interventions. Upon successful completion of this program, participants earn a certificate recognizing their designation as an HIV Prevention Certified Provider (HIV PCP) and receive listing in national online directory of HIV PCPs. The curriculum is updated annually and more frequently as needed, based on approval of new biomedical interventions and release of evidence-based practices.

Persons at high risk of HIV acquisition* (nastad.org, January 1, 2022) The US Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with effective antiretroviral therapy to persons who are at high risk of HIV acquisition.

Best Practices: Interventions for PrEP* (HIV.gov, January 11, 2021) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS) Project) identifies evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and evidence-informed interventions (EIs) for the Compendium of Evidence-Based Interventions and Best Practices for HIV Prevention. The Compendium helps HIV prevention planners and providers in the United States (US) select interventions most appropriate for their communities. The Compendium contains chapters on risk reduction; medication adherence; linkage to, retention in, and re-engagement in HIV care; and structural interventions. (February 2021)

FDA Approves Second Drug to Prevent HIV Infection as Part of Ongoing Efforts to End the HIV Epidemic (October 2019)*

Sexual Assault: PEP is an Urgent Health Need (October 2018)*

CDC Educational Resources on PrEP and PEP*

HepVu 2022 Surveillance Status Report Briefing*

Watch the recording and hear from HepVu Project Director Dr. Heather Bradley, NASTAD’s Boatemaa Ntiri-Reid, and the Hepatitis B Foundation’s Frank Hood on how to use this data in your work.

You can also use the HepVu viral hepatitis surveillance status report launch toolkit* containing sample social media, infographics, and other resources to share this report.

LGBTQ+ Needs Assessment Survey* In partnership with SAVE, FIU Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center, and Equality Florida, Miami-Dade County has launched the LGBTQ+ Needs Assessment survey, which will inform funding and program decisions for Miami-Dade’s LGBTQ community for years to come. https://fiu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yHcj4n44yytAMu.

What is the MACS/WIHS CCS study? The MACS/WIHS CCS is the largest study of men and women with HIV in the US. Over 8000 men and women with HIV participate in the country, and many have participated for over 20 years. As many men and women are living longer with HIV, they now are affected but other health conditions (heart diseases, cancers, pulmonary disease, memory loss).

This study focuses on understanding how people with HIV age, and how they are affected by other chronic diseases. In Miami, we have women who have been part of this study (The WIHS or Women Interagency HIV Study) for the past 10 years, and now we also have men participating. Men and women come for one visit per year and they complete questionnaires, have a physical examination, and other tests (memory, heart, lungs). Findings from this study will help to improve the health of people living with HIV who are aging.

The purpose of the SmartManage/CLaRO pilot program study is to evaluate a new, web-based program among gay men who are living with both HIV and cancer.

This program involves learning skills to help in managing HIV and cancer though interactive online groups. Individuals who are eligible and would like to participate will:

• Complete a baseline questionnaire about personal background, health history, stress, mood, and quality of life.
• Take part in the program, which meets online via Zoom once a week for 10 weeks for about an hour (participants will have access to the new website).
• Complete an exit questionnaire about quality of life, stress, mood, and experience navigating the SmartManage website.
• Individuals will be able to participate from the comfort of their home. They will also be eligible to receive a total of $150 for the time and feedback.

Elevate your well-being and join our groundbreaking research study! 💪 We’re on a mission to empower men who identify as gay, or bisexual, and are cancer survivors living with HIV. 🌈🌟

🤔 Ever wanted to explore effective stress management strategies tailored just for you? Look no further!

🌐 Dive into 10 interactive online sessions (90 mins each) where we’ll discuss coping tactics, healthy living, and share the strength of our community. 🗣️💬

💰 Your voice matters, and so does your time! As a thank you, participants receive compensation of up to $150. 🌈💸

Ready to thrive? Click the link to embark on this transformative journey with us!

🚀👉https://redcap.miami.edu/surveys/?s=HYNYCL3A9KWWD3FJ

#ResilienceRevolution #StressFreeLiving #LGBTQHealth #SurvivorStrong 💙🏳️‍🌈

The PRIDE Study. Your Story. Your Health* The PRIDE Study is supported by the community engagement efforts of PRIDEnet, a national network of individuals and organizations that engage LGBTQ+ people in health research. The main question we want to answer is: how does being LGBTQ+ influence physical, mental, or social health?

INSTACARE  It’s time to start living positively. INSTACARE is a research program that brings the support of a Community Health Worker (CHW) to your clinical team to help patients better manage their HIV. Participants can receive up to $400 for their participation in the study. Contact (305) 243-1497; www.champ305.com*; champrising305@gmail.com for more information.

Merck Treatment Naïve Study  You may be eligible for an active-controlled, double-blind clinical study designed to evaluate the antiretroviral activity, safety, and tolerability of Doravirine/islatravir (DOR/ISL [MK-8591A]) in treatment-naïve participants with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. You would be eligible if you are: 18 years of age and older, HIV 1 Positive, and are naïve to any treatment. Please reach out to any of these sites if you are interested:

• AHF South Beach; contact: Emily Ruiz, (305) 538-1400 Ext 52520; Miami Beach, FL
• AHF The Kinder Medical Group, contact: Alexander Ruiz, (786) 497-4000; Miami, FL
• Triple O Research Institute, P.A; contact: Myriam Izquierdo, (561) 855-7871; West Palm Beach, FL
• CAN Community Health – Sarasota; contact: Prerak Shukla, (941) 366-0134 x11140; Sarasota, FL

State of HIV Care™ National Survey* The HIV field is constantly evolving in response to developments in practice standards, biomedical interventions, and workforce needs. HealthHIV’s State Of HIV Care National Survey is administered on an annual basis to capture these changes and their impact on the workforce.

IAPAC and FTCI are fielding a simple survey extrapolating the messaging and confidence in U=U and humbly ask for your assistance. We invite all to help inform us on the extent of the U=U!

The goal of this anonymous, 6-question survey is understanding how the U=U messaging is being disseminated, is understood, and is trusted.

The survey itself is estimated to take less than 30-seconds to complete. We ask that you please complete the survey here: https://iapac.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Vr6NglqqqjrU7I.

Thank you! We look forward to sharing the results at the completion of the survey timeframe, we plan on completing collection on March 22!

PURPOSE 2*: A clinical study to evaluate if Lenacapavir (LEN), an investigational medicine, given every 6 months can help to reduce the chance of getting HIV through sex (PrEP). Miami Gardens, FL: PURPOSE 2 clinical trials are available now for eligible South Florida residents. Contact the CAN Community Health team at (754) 701-6920 to learn more or visit PURPOSEStudies.com.

Barriers and Facilitators to Expanding PrEP Coverage in Southern Ending the HIV Epidemic States and Jurisdictions* A survey for health providers, programmers and public health practitioners. Southern AIDS Coalition in partnership with PrEP4All, is conducting a rapid landscaping to identify laws, policies and administrative requirements and approaches that impact PrEP access in the South. The analysis will center on coverage of costs, network sufficiency and community knowledge and demand. Information provided in this survey will be used to compile a non-exhaustive list of policies, requirements and approaches that can be used to guide recommendations, advocacy and implementation. Information provided here will be treated as anonymous and may be described in a summary report in aggregate–ie “X number of states have a specific policy or issue impacting coverage.” Information about your role, location and affiliation will be used for internal purposes and to share the results of this work and future activities. If you have questions or concerns please contact Michael@PrEP4All.org.

What is the MACS/WIHS CCS study? The MACS/WIHS CCS is the largest study of men and women with HIV in the US. Over 8000 men and women with HIV participate in the country, and many have participated for over 20 years. As many men and women are living longer with HIV, they now are affected but other health conditions (heart diseases, cancers, pulmonary disease, memory loss).

This study focuses on understanding how people with HIV age, and how they are affected by other chronic diseases. In Miami, we have women who have been part of this study (The WIHS or Women Interagency HIV Study) for the past 10 years, and now we also have men participating. Men and women come for one visit per year and they complete questionnaires, have a physical examination, and other tests (memory, heart, lungs). Findings from this study will help to improve the health of people living with HIV who are aging.

What is the STAR cohort? The STAR cohort is a study focused on understanding how HIV and HIV treatment affects women who are young (18-45 years of age), including those who are pregnant. The study is being conducted in 6 cities in the US: Miami, Atlanta, Washington DC, Chapel Hill, Birmingham, and Jackson (Mississippi).

These are the cities with highest number of women living with HIV in the country. In this study, women who participate complete questionnaires that will help us understand how having HIV affect their life experiences (including mental health, depression, stigma), and we also focus on other aspects not usually included in HIV studies (oral health, and reproductive health). Women who are interested complete a questionnaire come for an in-person visit, and then once a year. We are looking forward to recruit 450 women in Miami. Findings from this study will help to improve the health of young women with HIV.

The WHIMS Study – Women, HIV, Immunology, Microbiome, and Sexual Health, is looking for females, between the ages of 18-45, who are sexually active. The purpose of this study is to identify behaviors and biological factors that may predispose women to have repeated episodes of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). The study involves questionnaires and gynecological exams. The first visit will consist of a pregnancy test, a rapid HIV test, and a COVID test.

If those are negative, then a gynecological exam will be conducted for BV. If enrolled we will collect blood, urine, vaginal samples for research purposes and test for sexually transmitted infections (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis). Metronidazole will be prescribed for 1 week for BV positive women. Participants will complete up to 3 visits over 6 months. Each visit will be 2.5 hours and is compensated $100.  Click here for printable flyers in English and Spanish.

Successful Strategies for Promotion (registration link coming soon!)

• March 5, 2024 at 1pm EST: Part One: Successful Strategies to Recruit Planning Body Members: During this session, participants will learn about collaborative integrated prevention and care planning activities; the importance of recruitment; recruitment strategy components; and the benefits, barriers, and competition for the recruitment audience
• April 2, 2024 at 1pm EST: Part Two: Successful Strategies to Retain Planning Body Member
• May 7, 2024 at 1pm EST: Part Three: Successful Strategies for Promotion

Meaningful community engagement is an essential integrated planning activity.

To support community engagement efforts, IHAP TAC is excited to announce the launch of a new peer learning series, Sustaining Community Engagement. This three-part series will encourage peer-to-peer sharing on recruitment, retention, and sustained community engagement in jurisdictional HIV prevention and care planning bodies. This is a great opportunity for those interested in enhancing their recruitment and retention efforts!

Each session will take place on the first Tuesday of the month from 1:00-2:00pm EST. Sessions will include a short presentation followed by breakout groups in which participants can share challenges with recruitment and retention along with solutions to address them. Participation in each session is recommended, but individual sessions will stand alone. All sessions will be recorded.

Examining Housing Instability and Care Outcomes among Women Living with HIV  Presented by Dr. Sofia Fernandez, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work.  Presented on October 29, 2022

The HealthHIV HIV Treatment Innovation Certificate Program* is a CME/CE-certified multi-module educational certificate program that will prepare providers already providing HIV care/treatment to treat more complex patient cases.

All modules are certified and participants can earn up to 5 Credits/Contact Hours (CME, MOC, NCPD, CPE, AAPA) for completion of the certificate.

Target Audience: This activity is intended for HIV care providers, primary care providers and general practitioners (includes MD/DO, NP, PA), nurses, pharmacists, patients/caregivers, and other professionals involved in the care of patients with HIV.

Media: Enduring Material
Release date: October 31, 2023
Expiration date: October 30, 2024
Time to complete: approx. 60 minutes per module

HealthHIV’s HIV PrEP Navigation Certification Program*

The only certification program offered to providers and allied health professionals focused on preparing providers to guide community members in their use of PrEP over time.

HIVPNC is designed to support and empower both clinical and non-clinical providers in providing inclusive, affirming PrEP navigation services backed by current data and clinical best practices.

By receiving HealthHIV’s HIV PrEP Navigation Certification, providers will demonstrate their commitment to assisting patients in: identifying the most appropriate PrEP options for them; gaining access to PrEP medications, care and monitoring; remaining adherent in their PrEP use; and, navigating changes in their lives that may require changes in their PrEP care.

Program Overview

• Module 1: Introduction to PrEP
• Module 2: PrEP Science
• Module 3: Client-Centered Navigation Practices
• Module 4: Getting to Know Your Clients
• Module 5: Paying for PrEP
• Module 6: Linkage to PrEP Care
• Module 7: Starting and Keeping Up with PrEP
• Module 8: Self-Care and Healthy Teams

Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program Monthly Research Symposium Provided by Florida International University and Behavioral Science Research to explore findings from FIU/BSR research studies drawn from Ryan White Program client interviews and client data analyses.

Lessons learned about access to HIV care at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic (June 22, 2022)

Challenges Experienced by Ryan White Program Clients During COVID (July 20, 2022)

Effective Women Centered Care Practices from Ryan White Program Client and Provider Perspectives (August 31, 2022)

Barriers to Adherence and Retention in HIV Care Among Women (September 21, 2022)

Office of Women’s Health (OWH) Webinar Recordings* Recorded webinars from 2020-2023.

2023 OWH Recorded Webinars:

• Preventing Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence
• Overview of the 2023-2025 HRSA Strategy to Address IPV
• New Resources to Improve Cervical Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Management
• Connecting Women to Healthcare through HRSA’s Programs