HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services

In 2018, ACT for Youth began providing support for two New York State program provider groups working in the area of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention services. Both groups are funded by the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health.

HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services for Young Gay Men and Young Men who have Sex with Men with a Focus on Communities of Color

Funding supports programs that provide a comprehensive range of HIV/STD/HCV prevention interventions and related services to young gay men and young men who have sex with men (YMSM) with a focus on communities of color. The priority populations for these programs are HIV positive and high risk young gay men and YMSM ages 13-29. The overall goals are to:

• Prevent new HIV/STD/HCV infections;
   
• Increase HIV/STD/HCV testing and screening services;
   
• Increase the number of Young Gay Men and YMSM who know their HIV/STD/HCV status;
   
• Identify HIV/STD/HCV infected individuals and ensure access to early, high quality medical care and prevention services;
   
• Increase access to comprehensive sexual health information;
   
• Facilitate access to prevention services including PrEP linkage and support services; and
   
• Facilitate access to essential supportive services.

The current initiative began in March 2016 with funding for 21 projects.

HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services for Young People through the Use of Youth Health Advocates

Funding supports the training and utilization of a diverse group of 6-10 Youth Health Advocates (YHAs) to enhance the delivery of services to young people living with HIV/AIDS and young people who are at highest risk for HIV/STD/HCV. YHAs are young people between the ages of 13-24 with demographics similar to the target population(s) who are engaging in, or have previously engaged in, behaviors that place them at high risk of HIV/STD/HCV infection. The role of YHAs is to actively engage with young people living with HIV/AIDS and/or young people who are at highest risk for HIV/STD/HCV infection to encourage them to seek treatment, care, and prevention services. The overall goals are to:

• Actively engage young people and increase their access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information;
   
• Prevent new HIV/STD/HCV infections;
   
• Increase HIV/STD/HCV testing and screening services;
   
• Increase the number of young people who know their HIV/STD/HCV status;
   
• Identify individuals infected with HIV, STDs, and/or HCV, and ensure their access to early, high quality care and prevention services;
   
• Facilitate access to prevention services; and
   
• Facilitate access to essential supportive services.

The current initiative began in March 2016 with funding for seven Youth Health Advocate projects.

For more on efforts in this area by the New York State Department of Health, visit HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services.