Sub-Saharan African Youth and Famil

Eliminating health disparities initiative (ehdi) sayfsm partnered with 9 faith-based and community organizations to eliminate health disparities by promoting awareness through culturally and linguistically appropriate education. In 2022, sayfsm and its partners reached more than 140,000 persons via face-to-face and media engagements. Sayfsm also conducted 2 focus groups with total participants of 12 persons.

Hiv/aids outreach and testing: sayfsm educates the community about hiv prevention and risk reduction. Sayfsm gives presentations at community events, churches, Youth gatherings, and to groups of newly resettled refugees. Sayfsm also develops culturally and linguistically appropriate television and radio programs, and written materials to effectively reach the general african-born population. In 2022, 100 individuals were tested for hiv; 86_ outreach events were conducted reaching to 7,729 individuals (zoom and in-person); 4 focus groups were held with 36 participants; 5964 condoms were distributed; and an estimated 53,813 individuals were reached through satellite tv, tv, facebook, and youtube including 206 individuals in 6 small group discussion.

Medical case management/non-medical case management: sayfsm provides culturally appropriate extended medical case management, meeting the needs of African individuals living with hiv/aids who need longer-term, intensive support. The medical case managers conduct risk assessments and create care plans to address client needs from a holistic perspective. They help clients access health services and promote quality health outcomes, empowering them with education about hiv/aids, treatment, and medication options, and help clients access necessary resources to address housing, transportation, employment, education, legal, insurance, or other needs. In 2022, 32 individuals received medical case management services and 38 clients received non-medical case management services from sayfsm. $43,105.15 and $ 43,605.38.

Mental health counseling: a licensed psychologist in the sayfsm office and at support group meetings for individuals infected with or impacted by hiv. In 2022, 29 unduplicated individuals received counseling multiple times throughout the year.

Psychosocial support group: sayfsm facilitates a culturally appropriate psychosocial support group for African immigrants and refugees living with hiv. Trained, culturally competent facilitators foster a supportive environment and provide participants with education that empowers them to take care of themselves, reduce risks of super infections and hiv transmission, and disclose their status to their partners and community. In 2022, 38 unduplicated hiv + adults participated multiple times throughout the year in the support group.

Care advocacy: sayfsm provides an array of services to meet the many needs of African immigrants and refugees, including: assistance with basic needs, such as housing, furniture, household items, food, clothing, employment; referrals to clinics, mental health providers, legal services; translation and interpreting; and transportation to appointments and sayfsm activities. In 2022, care advocacy was delivered to 1600 clients, for a total of 684 visits.

Medical transportation: sayfsm provides hiv+ clients with transportation to and from medical appointments, pharmacy, and support group. In 2022, sayfsm provided rides to 36 clients, including 404 bus cards, 68 taxi and 174 agency van rides.

Womens self-sufficiency program under one roof: women attend sewing classes and receive education about hiv/aids and other health topics. They are empowered to take control of their lives, boosting self-esteem, and improving mental and physical health. In addition to sewing, the program offers quilting and fiber spinning and weaving classes. In 2022, 22 women participated in the program.

Tobacco education/advocacy: sayfsm educates the community about the use of tobacco products and its harms. Additionally, the agency advocates for limits to the sale of certain tobacco products and age limits.