HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
February 14, 2024
NACCHO News and Announcements
Sexual Health Services in Jails Webinar: Part 2
Join NACCHO on Wednesday, February 21st at 2pm EST for part two of our Sexual Health Services in Jails series! During this session, we will highlight several jail projects across the country, including Seattle-King County, Pueblo County, and Alabama Department of Public Health. Similar to the first session, we will discuss how these projects were developed/implemented, key staff involved, as well as lessons learned/best practices. We hope you can join us and if interested, please register here.
Sexual Health Services in Jails Webinar: Part 3
It’s back by popular demand! Join NACCHO on Wednesday, March 13th at 2 pm EST for part three of our Sexual Health Services in Jails series. This session will feature impactful jail projects from the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Orange County, FL. We will be discussing the stakeholders involved in these projects, how the projects were implemented, and what was learned along the way. We hope to see you there! Register here.
Maine Access Points Spotlight
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with the University of Washington (UW), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) funded the Advancing Harm Reduction through Data Analysis & Evaluation project to promote monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of syringe services programs (SSPs) and support the use of data for SSP program improvement.
The purpose of this funding opportunity was to support and build capacity for data analysis and evaluation at SSPs. The funding opportunity was also designed to support SSPs in using data for program and policy improvement and inform future technical assistance opportunities by identifying lessons learned and best practices for the field and identifying models and best practices for data analysis at SSPs of varied capacity.
Over the next few months, NACCHO will be highlighting a few SSP grantees, from their successes to lessons learned throughout the project. Our first highlighted site is Maine Access Points (MAP). Check out the spotlight here.
HIV, STI, Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Resources & News
New CDC HIV Prevention and Surveillance Funding Opportunity
CDC published a new Notice of Funding Opportunity titled PS-24-0047: High-Impact HIV Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments. The new NOFO is responsive to community feedback and streamlines our approach to HIV prevention funding by combining the application process and funding streams for our two largest HIV prevention programs – national HIV prevention and surveillance funding for health departments and the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative. The new funding opportunity builds upon recent successes and lessons learned through previous NOFOs and the EHE initiative and is designed to help accelerate progress in key areas.
This effort will help maximize the impact of our federal HIV prevention funding and ensures that we continue to center health equity in all that we do. For more information, please see the Dear Colleague letter here.
Supporting Syphilis Funding Update
Cases of syphilis continue to rise in the United States, as do the serious consequences of infection, including congenital syphilis. HHS has recently established a National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Taskforce and is encouraging the use of a syndemic approach to public health to most effectively and efficiently prevent and treat syphilis. By coordinating and integrating effective interventions we can better prevent syphilis and reduce health inequities by reaching every community experiencing increasing rates.
This guidance can assist you in understanding the parameters of funding and builds on CDC’s Flexibilities Guidance for Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance.
Recipients funded under the following CDC Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) may use their grant resources, including funds or staff, for STI activities that are conducted in conjunction with HIV prevention activities:
- PS18-1802, “Integrated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Surveillance and Prevention Programs for Health Departments”
- PS20-2010, “Ending the HIV Epidemic”
- PS21-2102 “Comprehensive High Impact HIV Prevention Program for Community Based Organizations”
- PS22-2203 “Comprehensive High Impact HIV Prevention Programs for Young Men of Color Who Have Sex With Men and Young Transgender Persons of Color”
- PS22-2209 “Transgender Status-Neutral Community-to-Clinic Models to End the HIV Epidemic (TRANSCEND)
In addition to these NOFOs, the supplemental funds CDC awarded under CDC-RFA-PS19-1901, “Strengthening STD Prevention and Control for Health Departments,” to 59 state, local and territorial Health Department STD Prevention Programs to support Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) and strengthen the capacity of state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health departments to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other infections, may also be used, if available.
Redirection Requests:
If a recipient is interested in having resources redirected to syphilis and congenital syphilis activities that are not conducted in conjunction with the core work of existing NOFOs, then CDC prior approval of a fiscal redirection request is required. Requests must include a description of the nexus between syphilis and congenital syphilis and activities within the scope of the grant to be approved.
For CDC-RFA-PS19-1901 STD PCHD, STD funds can be redirected to support syphilis activities without prior approval if the proposed changes do not represent a significant rebudgeting of funds (i.e., cumulative changes of 25% of the last approved award budget period).
For all, please review the terms and conditions of your award for more information. Please direct questions about the submission requirement and process to your Grants Management Specialist.
Missed Opportunities for Preventing Congenital Syphilis
On February, 28, 2024 at 12-1pm EST, join the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) in collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention for a webinar developed for clinicians and other health care providers on “missed opportunities for preventing congenital syphilis.”
This webinar will provide an overview of congenital syphilis and explore missed opportunities for preventing congenital syphilis as well as interventions for prevention.
Objectives of this presentation:
- Understand the epidemiology of syphilis and congenital syphilis in the United States.
- Diagnosis and counsel about syphilis and congenital syphilis.
- Practical implementation of syphilis screening and treatment in the clinical setting.
- Discuss missed opportunities to prevent congenital syphilis in the US and possible interventions.
Click Here to Register: Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com)
Contact for more information: Chepkorir Maritim, Nurse Consultant, [email protected]
Combating the Surge in Syphilis Rates: Rapid Dual Infection Diagnosis and Implementation Strategies
As the rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) continue to rise, it is crucial to diagnose infections early to ensure prompt treatment and prevent further transmission to others. Both HIV and syphilis can have severe consequences individually, but their co-infection amplifies the risks. Join us for a conversation about innovative new technology that facilitates rapid diagnosis of both infections, along with recommended strategies for successful implementation and enhanced workflow.
Link to register for webinar: https://naccho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3PQKRYQERO6IEQsbrbLjuw#/registration
HepTAC Virtual Learning Collaborative (VLC)
The VLC is a virtual learning community and training series designed to support viral hepatitis health department staff implement the viral hepatitis prevention and surveillance activities set forth in CDC’s Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention Funding for Health Departments (CDC-RFA-PS21-2103) and is open to all state, territorial, and local health departments.
Download overview here.
Download FAQs here.
Throughout the coming months, NACCHO will be highlighting sessions we think are incredibly insightful for our members. This month, we’re highlighting the “Demystifying syndemic approaches in elimination planning for viral hepatitis programs” session. Check out the slides and recording for more information.
Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair, Local Public Health Champion, Becomes Permanent Director of the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention
NACCHO is delighted to congratulate Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair on her selection as the permanent Director of the Division of HIV Prevention (DHP), Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC. Dr. Fanfair joined CDC in 2012 and has led the Division as the Acting Director since August 2022. Dr. Fanfair has been a strong partner and advocate for local public health throughout her deep experience at CDC and during her background as an HIV clinician and researcher in Baltimore. And, during Black History Month, her appointment marks a historic moment for DHP as they welcome their first Black female director.
Dr. Fanfair’s commitment to health equity and community engagement is unwavering, and NACCHO celebrates this next step of her career! Learn more about Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair and her role at CDC here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/dear_colleague/2024/dcl-02122024-hiv-prevention.html
SHaRP Salons: Community Conversations on Harm Reduction Data
The University of Washington Supporting Harm Reduction Programs (SHaRP) Team, in partnership with The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), is thrilled to announce a three-part online discussion series, SHaRP Salons:
Community Conversations on Harm Reduction Data.
Each hourlong meeting will focus on data-related challenges common to harm reduction programs in the US and will consist of short introductory presentations followed by facilitated discussions among participants. While all are welcome to attend, these discussions will be oriented toward harm reduction program staff and people who use drugs. Meetings will not be recorded, and a summary of main points will be posted online and distributed to attendees.
Session Schedule:
Thursday, February 29: How can we improve our data quality?
The SHaRP Team will briefly outline recommendations and good practices for high-quality, low-barrier data collection and facilitate conversation among Salon participants to share lessons learned and on-the-ground expertise. The conversation may include discussion on minimizing data to maximize quality, privacy considerations, staff training, and negotiating reporting requirements with funders.
Thursday, March 14: Sharing data with community and participants
The SHaRP Team will introduce considerations and recommendations for data dissemination and foster discussion among Salon participants about common challenges and methods of sharing program data publicly. This session may cover deciding what data to share, framing data for participants and other community members, and dissemination methods.
Thursday, March 28: Asking sensitive questions
The SHaRP Team will facilitate discussion on some of the most sensitive data points common to harm reduction programs. Harm reduction program participants often find themselves at the nexus of multiple criminalized identities, and programs are often tasked with using data to advocate for social change while respecting participant dignity, autonomy, and privacy. Focusing on recommended indicators from their community-informed SSP Indicators project, the SHaRP team will solicit recommendations and challenges associated with data points on structural violence and overdose.
The UW SHaRP team is no longer funded by the National Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Center (NHRTAC) and this project is not associated with NHRTAC.
Register for the series: https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtdOyrrzwvE9dYPRy-QxlVc2R69GEloMQQ
Have a question, reach out to [email protected].
SAMHSA Harm Reduction Framework
The SAMHSA Harm Reduction Framework is the first document to comprehensively outline harm reduction and its role within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Framework will inform SAMHSA’s harm reduction activities moving forward, as well as related policies, programs, and practices.
Check it out here.
News to Note
Newsom Signs Bill Making HIV Prevention Meds Available Without Prescription - The Hill
These Vending Machines Are Giving Out Free STI Tests. Can They Save Lives? - MSN News
