Research Projects

Test Link Call Project

Status: Active

Project Lead: Sofia Bartlett

Test, Link, Call (TLC) Project, launched in Fall 2021, is a collaboration between BCCDC, BCMHSUS, BC Hepatitis Network and Unlocking the Gates (UTG). TLC provides cell phones with 6 months of calling/texting credit to people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at the time of release from provincial corrections, along with a transitional care plan for HCV treatment and linkage to a Peer Outreach Worker with lived experience of incarceration. The care plan, peer support and cell phone will help them connect with health and social supports, specifically with an HCV treatment provider of their choice in the community. The phones provided also come preloaded with the LifeGuard app and other health and social service focused mobile applications, to further assist in meeting the unmet health needs of people leaving prison. This project will evaluate whether providing a cell phone and peer support after release from prison increases linkage to HCV treatment over a 12 month period.

Learn more: https://stbbipathways.ca/tlc-resources