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New CDC HIV Testing Dollars and Internet-Enabled Services

Earlier this month, the CDC published a new grant cycle calling for Expanded HIV Testing for Disproportionately Affected Populations, specifically Black, Hispanic and MSM.  The grant offers millions to the following jurisdictions over the next three years, including: Alabama, Arizona, California, Chicago, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Houston, Illinois, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 

Two big goals of the program include

1. Expanded, targeted HIV counseling, testing and referral in non-clinical settings or venues where high-risk members of these populations can be accessed; and
2. Ensure that at least 85% of persons who test positive for HIV (and STDs in integrated settings) receive their results.

Social network and internet-enabled strategies are eligible for funding, as long as they promote HIV testing, counseling and referrals.

Funding is in two categories, routine testing in clinical settings and creative testing strategies for non-clinical settings. 70% of the funds must be spent in the former.

As part of the new call for expanded HIV testing, we are developing grant templates for the following sections.  Eligible jurisdictions listed above are welcome to use these templates in their application process. For a full copy and free grant technical assistance, email djmelton@nptlabs.net.

Part A, Category 2 HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral 

Summary. PowerOn is an online HIV testing promotion, health center and counseling resource for MSMs engaged in meeting partners for offline casual sex.  Outreach workers at local CBOs staff profiles, conduct counseling risk reduction chat sessions and refer to testing and other resources.  The program also provides a comprehensive list of local testing resources, connecting MSM to CBOs or local clinics for offline testing.  Currently implemented at the community or state level in 15 jurisdictions, the program connects the disparate referral network online through social network profiles and agency-staffed communication channels in accordance with the National Internet Outreach Guidelines published by NASTAD.

Summary. MySpace boasts the largest online presence of Black and Hispanic youth 16 to 24 of any social network.  Pew Internet and American Life report that Black and Latino/a youth are more likely to actively engage friends through MySpace than any other social network.  Moreover, their preferred medium to access the web is the mobile phone (A summary link here >>).  Smart phones comprise roughly 40% of the market, and are increasing year over year by 20% to 30%.  In five years, it is estimated that over 75% of all phones sold will have internet or other smart phone features.  Sext is a text message line and clinic locator system that is accessible via mobile phone.  Aimed primarily at these minority populations, the service is advertised through MySpace and Facebook in local geographies.  

Summary. The HIV test reminder system is a text, phone call or email based notification system for clients to access their results and be reminded of upcoming appointments.  Clinic staff provide a card to the client with a special code for results accessible via text message, automated phone call or a web-based portal.  The client can also specify a time during the HIV screening for a reminder for a routine HIV or STD test screening at future dates.  Staff enter the reminder into the system.  When the date approaches, the client will receive a text reminder and be able to access local clinic HIV testing times through text messages or a web-based portal (also accessible via the mobile phone).

Part A, Category 1, Activities 2, 3, 4, 7 and 11 HIv Screening, Referral and Results Notification

Summary.  npT Labs is interested in developing a web portal for local jurisdictions to provide routine HIV and STD screening information for clinical health settings.  The website will include a customized list of local referral agencies (downloadable and printable), a video series explaining the CDC guidelines on HIV screening, a HIPPA compliant client entry of newly diagnosed clients for referral to local CBOs and jurisdiction-specific materials (posters and postcards) for promotion of routine HIV testing among risk populations.  The website will also include a listing of the major insurance companies, policies on routine HIV screening and technical assistance numbers at these companies.