from The StarPress
MUNCIE, Ind. – Meridian Health Services has been awarded $100,000 in supplemental funds from The Ryan White Fund for its growing HIV program.
Through this funding, care coordinators will be able to expand on the services currently being provided in Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Jay and Randolph counties, according to a release.
Meridian’s HIV Care Coordination program assists those living with HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, through medical, psychosocial, financial and other supportive services as needed. These services are offered at no cost to the patient.
Often the trained care coordinators are the first referral a person newly diagnosed with HIV receive, according to a release. Care coordinators assist clients with accessing health insurance, housing programs, mental health and substance abuse programs, community and government programs, support groups, transportation and more.
Meridian has also recently been awarded the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) grant from the Indiana State Department of Health. The DIS program’s mission is to intervene in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, and reduce the complications caused by these diseases. The DIS staff members are charged with providing screening for STDs, ensuring that treatment is provided for known cases of STDs, case follow-up and education, according to the release.
The DIS staff also provide prevention counseling to those who are impacted by STDs. Through this grant, Meridian will provide services for Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Randolph, Rush, Union and Wayne counties.
