Providing Technical Assistance and Implementing Special Projects to STOP STDs - In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Notice of Funding Opportunity CDC-RFA-PS-23-0007 Support Technical Assistance & Opportunities for Program, Policy, & Communications to Prevent STDs (STOP STDs), JSI will work with the CDC Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP), other funded organizations, and partners to provide technical assistance (TA) and implement special projects to support STI/HIV programs. JSI will implement the strategies and activities associated with NOFO Component C: Technical Assistance & Capacity Building and NOFO Component D: Special Projects to advance national STI prevention objectives. Since 1978, JSI has provided training, TA, capacity building (CB), and research services to strengthen public health and healthcare systems in the U.S. and globally. We work in collaboration with funders, providers, community members, and other key stakeholders to develop flexible, innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions to complex public health problems. JSI understands that the interplay of poverty, stigma, discrimination, racism, medical mistrust, violence, trauma, access to care, and education contribute to an unequal burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. JSI’s national reach, extensive experience supporting STI/HIV programs, and long history providing TA to diverse audiences uniquely positions us to achieve the short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes associated with Components C and D. In particular, we aim to (1) increase adoption of more efficient and effective approaches to STI surveillance, prevention, and control, and equitable resource allocation among STI programs; and (2) increase capacity of STI program staff to assess, manage, and improve the quality of STI prevention and control activities in their jurisdiction, and to scale and disseminate best practices. JSI will implement a tailored, adaptable approach to meet the needs of priority audiences, respond to an evolving healthcare landscape, and build the capacity of STI/HIV programs. Our approach is grounded in health equity and centers populations disproportionately impacted by STIs, including adolescents and young adults, men who have sex with men, pregnant people and people who may become pregnant, and transgender individuals. For Component C, JSI will build on existing efforts and expand the menu of available TA/CB opportunities by drawing on our close relationships with health departments and other key partners; our success providing high-quality TA/CB; and our expertise in STIs, HIV, sexual health, substance use, communications, performance improvement, and policy. JSI will work with CDC and other funded organizations to assess STI/HIV program needs, including analyzing secondary data and meaningfully engaging people with lived experience. We will continuously evaluate TA/CB opportunities to align with recipient needs, disseminate new opportunities via JSI communication channels, and engage partners in dissemination efforts. For Component D, JSI will support jurisdictions to convene partners to share information and implement collaborative solutions; develop and use clear, stigma-free, culturally competent, and linguistically appropriate messages tailored to different audiences, populations, and communication channels; and leverage opportunities to learn from past responses and pilot/demonstration projects to identify, evaluate, and optimize best and promising response practices. We propose initiating a demonstration project to support rapid after-action review processes and address shared improvement planning needs for mpox. JSI will conduct a social network analysis to inform the identification of national partners and identify new or untapped partner resources to engage via convenings and other opportunities for collaboration. JSI’s flexibility, responsiveness, and ingenuity equip us to quickly implement activities in response to emerging and unaddressed STI/HIV and related issues.
