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New policy guidance and a $51 million funding opportunity from HRSA will support health centers to implement innovative approaches to support the transition of care for people leaving prison.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that $51 million will be available to HRSA-funded health centers to implement innovative approaches to support the transition of care for people leaving incarceration. . Announced during Second Chances Month and in conjunction with the White House's Second Chance Initiative, the measure will expand access to medical services to individuals up to 90 days before release to support reintegration into society. This is the first time that we are explicitly supporting the provision of From mental health and substance use disorder treatment to primary health care, including HIV prevention and care services, we help promote public health and strengthen public safety.
$51 million funding opportunity for health centers to support medical transition before release from prison
Under a new competitive funding opportunity, “Transitions of Care for Justice-Involved People,'' HRSA is awarding 51 health grants for innovative work that supports transitions of care prior to release from incarceration. The centers will each receive prizes of up to $1 million. Funded health centers will implement an approach focused on:
- Reduce the risk of drug overdose
- Addressing treatment needs for mental health and substance use disorders
- Chronic disease management
- Prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, and other infectious diseases
Health centers will also use the funds available through this funding opportunity to address key health-related social issues such as housing and food insecurity, financial burden, transportation access, and intimate partner violence. Case management services can also be provided to address the contributing factors. Facilitating the re-entry of people returning to their communities will enhance public health and safety.
Application deadlines are as follows June 10, 2024. For more information about this funding opportunity, please visit the Health Center Program webpage.
As many as 80% of people who return to the community after incarceration have chronic medical, psychological, and/or substance use symptoms. Those who return to their communities are also cut off from important medications and treatments for diabetes, hypertension, and HIV. They also have poorer overall health because they lack connections to services and supports to apply for health insurance eligibility and other benefits or navigate the recovery process immediately after being discharged from hospital. face a disproportionate risk.
HRSA seeks comments on policy guidance for health centers supporting transitions of care
HRSA is also soliciting public comments on draft Health Center Program Policy Guidance on Services to Support Transition of Care for Justice Personnel Reintegrating into the Community (PDF, 357KB). Under HRSA's current policy, HRSA-funded health centers provide medical services to inmates who are expected or scheduled to be released from a killing facility within 90 days and allow people to return to their communities. It has been made clear that continuity of care can be ensured upon return to hospital. Permitted services include treatment for chronic illnesses, mental health, and substance use disorders, as well as screening and treatment for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Comments are due by June 14, 2024. Please see the Federal Register Notice for more information.
Updated policies and new funding available can support the expansion of community efforts that enable people to provide HIV prevention and care services when they return to their communities after incarceration. . Importantly, this facilitates continuity of care for those on HIV treatment and reduces the risk of her HIV status being removed from care during this transition. Additionally, this policy and funding can help connect individuals returning to the community, who may be at increased risk of HIV, to HIV prevention services.
Please see the HHS news release for these announcements.
