Background

THIRVE is a project of Guiding Right, Inc., Oklahoma’s flagship Black health organization established in 1999. Guiding Right's programs include

• HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis C testing
• Case management
• Transportation services
• Sexual health and prevention education
• Tobacco control
• Condom distribution
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine that can prevent the spread of HIV
• Vaccinations and programs to reduce sexually transmitted infections.

In 2023 Guiding Right created a partnership with the Oklahoma Public Health Association, Beacon of Hope Counseling Services, and Oliver's C.A.M.P. and launched THRIVE (Treatment, Referrals, InterVentions, & Education), a program to prevent and reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse and misuse in racial and ethnic minorities. THRIVE increases access to prevention and treatment services and addresses behavioral health disparities among at-risk populations and provides therapy, substance abuse treatment, community outreach, and education services.

OPHA's activities contributing to the four-year, multi organization THRIVE grant project began in February 2023.

OPHA's THRIVE Activities

• Hosting a THRIVE Panel at OPHA's 2023 Conference.
• Establishing OPHA as a source and provider of continuing education (CE) credit for public health professionals across the state. 
• Supporting Oklahoma's community health workers as health educators.
• Monitoring legislative action related to substance use and HIV.
• Develop infographics on substance use and HIV among African American and rural Oklahomans.