Specifications include, but are not limited to: The purpose of this program is to provide direct financial assistance to an eligible metropolitan area (EMA) or a transitional grant area (TGA) that has been severely affected by the HIV epidemic. Grant funds assist eligible jurisdictions to develop or enhance access to a comprehensive continuum of high quality, community-based care for people with HIV who are low-income through the provision of formula, supplemental, and Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) funds. The goal is to provide optimal HIV care and treatment for people with HIV who are low-income, uninsured, and underserved, to improve their medical outcomes. RWHAP Part A recipients must use these funds to provide comprehensive medical services, health care and support services throughout the entire designated geographic service area. Important goals for the New Haven/Fairfield Counties Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA) HIV care system are: (1) To identify individuals who are aware of their HIV status but not in HIV medical care and link them to HIV medical services; (2) To identify individuals who are unaware of their HIV status, ensure they are tested, informed of their status, referred to needed medical and other services; (3) To initiate antiretroviral therapy, using a rapid start or status neutral model of care. (4) To retain persons with HIV in the medical care system; (5) To promote adherence to HIV medication and treatment regimens needed to achieve viral suppression and optimal health outcomes and; (5) To address racial and ethnic disparities, social determinants of health, medical biases, and historic structural barriers to optimal medical care.
