Building Capacity to Implement Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Start for Improved Care Engagement in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Building Capacity to Implement Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Start to Improve Care Engagement in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider (ETAP). In support of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE): A Plan for America Initiative, the purpose of this program is to support a single organization that provides evaluation and technical assistance (TA) to up to 10 implementation sites (funded separately under announcement number HRSA-20-114). The awarded ETAP organization will evaluate the implementation of rapid start interventions and their outcomes on the HIV care continuum for future replication and scale-up in other Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) provider organizations. HRSA anticipates that, through the implementation of rapid start and achievement of viral suppression as an effective strategy to prevent HIV transmission, rates of new HIV infections in areas of highest-burden will be reduced. The ETAP will also provide TA and capacity building to up to 10 implementation sites by facilitating learning collaboratives and peer-to-peer exchanges on rapid start intervention processes and procedures, including sharing innovative and best practices with clinics and organizations that have already successfully implemented rapid start interventions. In addition, the ETAP will lead the dissemination of evaluation findings, best practices and lessons learned, and promote the replication of successful rapid start interventions in other Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) providers and other health care settings. The expansion of successful rapid start interventions will further the goal of accelerating the period of time from new HIV diagnosis to entry into care, increasing faster linkage and engagement into care for those out of care, and achieving and sustaining viral suppression. Because award recipients under both NOFOs (HRSA-20-113 and HRSA-20-114) will need to work together to be successful, HRSA, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) encourages you to read and familiarize yourself with the program expectations of the companion NOFO, HRSA-20-114 (Building Capacity to Implement Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Start to Improve Care Engagement in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – Implementation Sites).

Entities eligible for funding under Parts A – D of Title XXVI of the PHS Act, including public and nonprofit private entities, state and local governments, academic institutions, local health departments, nonprofit hospitals, and outpatient clinics, community health centers receiving support under section 330 of the PHS Act, faith-based and community-based organizations, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations with or without federal recognition.

Adan Cajina

301-443-3180