Committee forwards $2.55M HRSA increase to DPH for HIV treatment and wraparound services

Supervisor Connie Chan moved to forward a retroactive resolution authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and expend a HRSA grant increase that raises the city's Ryan White/EHE award to roughly $7.0 million.

Bill Blum, director of programs and primary care in HIV Health Services, said the supplemental funding is part of HRSA’s Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative and is intended to reduce new infections and increase viral suppression by supporting care for people who are not consistently in care. He read the total award figure ($7,000,223.61) and said the grant focuses on four priority groups: trans women (particularly trans women of color), people experiencing homelessness, people with recent incarceration histories, and people with uncontrolled substance use. Blum said the program began March 1 and that supplemental EHE funding has continued since 2020.

There were no public comments. The committee voted 3–0 to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation to the full Board.

Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will consider the authorization on July 25, after which DPH will complete required grant paperwork and accept funds as permitted by HRSA.