CBA for HIV Prevention Programs to End the HIV Epidemic - Scientific advances in biomedical HIV prevention have generated a steadily expanding HIV prevention toolkit, and a 12% decline in new HIV transmissions nationally between 2017 and 2021 make it clear that the means exists to end the HIV epidemic. However, this progress has not reached those regions or populations most in need - moving the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. further down the road. At this critical moment in our fight against HIV, we must ensure that we focus on proven interventions and strategies that are focused on and address the role of syndemics (co-occurring disorders and co-existing social determinants of health) in slowing prevention uptake and build the capacity of state and local health departments (HDs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and other partners to work together with those affected by HIV to plan, integrate, evaluate and improve the coordination, accessibility, acceptability, and availability of HIV prevention programs to achieve greater impact. To build on our nation’s HIV prevention program’s strengths and lessons learned, and tackle enduring challenges, CAI is seeking funding under Component B to continue to build on its achievements as the current CDC National HIV Classroom Learning Center (NHCLC) to strengthen the capacity of the HIV workforce through training on CDC- supported interventions and public health strategies; and under Component D to strengthen and support the adoption, implementation and sustainability of these interventions and public health strategies to provide maximum impact through intensive, individualized technical assistance (TA). CAI will provide accessible CBA anchored in adult learning theory using a client-centered, competency-based and equity-focused approach that fosters practical application of knowledge and skills gained through training on the job and ensures maximum reach by providing both in-person and virtual live instructor-led training to HD and CBO staff on CDC-supported high impact equitable HIV prevention interventions and public health strategies. This includes addressing topics of national importance such as syndemic approaches, scaling existing and new HIP interventions, addressing SDOH, and a focused effort on providing training where, and for whom, disparities are greatest. Likewise, CAI’s TA will be responsive to the unique role HDs and CBOs play as part of the expanded public health system and be flexible to address the changing capacity building needs of the HIV workforce, and current and emergent programmatic focus areas. TA will be anchored in adult learning, implementation science and systems strengthening theory and frameworks to ensure that it is focused on environmental, community and organization systems that facilitate HIP implementation, scale and spread - and is practical and applied. TA will be relationship-based, and CAI will act in the capacity of external change agent in partnership with HDs and CBOs to achieve mutually agreed upon goals. CBA provided by CAI will result in measurable and concrete progress towards implementation of HIP interventions and public health strategies. Specifically, our training program will increase HIV knowledge, skills and competencies; enhance HD and CBO staff capacity for equitable HIV program planning, implementation, evaluation, and service delivery; and improve effective implementation of equitable HIV prevention programs by HD and CBO staff. TA will foster strengthened HD and CBO organizational capacity to enhance structural environments to support comprehensive and equitable HIV programs to diagnose, treat, and prevent HIV and syndemic conditions, and to address SDOH and inequities, including access to housing and insurance, and addressing medical mistrust.
