The Tennessee Department of Health has designated the Positively Living and Choice Health Network as an HIV/AIDS Center of Excellence, reports ABC affiliate WATE.com. Founded in 1996, the Knoxville-based nonprofit was recognized for the care and comprehensive services it offers people living with HIV in east Tennessee.

These services are more vital than ever. At the direction of Republican leadership, including Governor Bill Lee, the state of Tennessee recently declined nearly $9 million in free federal funding for HIV prevention programs.

“The State of Tennessee’s decision to not accept federal funding for HIV prevention services came as a surprise to us and similar organizations,” the nonprofit stated on its website, ChoiceHealthNetwork.org. “While we remain hopeful for a resolution, as things stand now, our contract to provide these services will end May 31, 2023. Our team is exploring ways to ensure that these important services will remain available in our community and will keep you apprised of those efforts.”

The statement assures that “Ryan White and [Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS] HOPWA services, along with our medical clinic, are not affected by this decision.… All of our services continue uninterrupted, and our locations across the state are open.”

Positively Living’s chief operating officer, Kim Lauth, told WATE News: “HIV remains incredibly stigmatized and so giving people a choice about where they receive care is very important. And having a company like ours that offers judgment-free care is even more important. We practice what we call trauma-informed care.”

In 2018, Positively Living launched the Choice Health Network, a medical care clinic for people living with HIV. Today, the Positively Living and Choice Health Network provide a one-stop shop for HIV care offering HIV testing, prevention and treatment and housing, pharmacy and mental health services as well as medical services. What’s more, its harm reduction program provides syringe exchange services, fentanyl test strips, naloxone.

“Nearly 6,000 individuals and families [struggle] to survive the challenges created by HIV, homelessness, mental illness and substance use. We have nearly 50 staff in four cities across the state and a budget of approximately $8 million,” states the nonprofit’s website.

According to Lauth, 90% of Positively Living and Choice Health Network’s clientele are virally suppressed, meaning their HIV is undetectable and cannot be transmitted through sex, a fact referred to as Undetectable Equals Untransmittable, or U=U.

“Since Positively Living started serving HIV/AIDS patients in 1996, we have implemented a holistic approach that meets the challenges of not only the disease but also the barriers to well-being,” Steve Jenkins, Positively Living’s CEO, told Knoxville news station WBIR. “This merit [designation] affirms our efforts and assures clients that they will receive optimal care.”