NCSD Peer-to-Peer Technical Assistance Project
for technical assistance (TA) in a certain area. A staff person from that project
area will be able to visit another project area that is successfully addressing
that area OR the project area will be able to have an "expert" from the staff
of that other state, city, or territory come to the requesting state and
demonstrate how it was done.
Needs and assistance are matched in one of two ways:
a) The project area requests the TA from a specific site which they know has a successful program that they want to replicate.
b) If a project area needs TA but is not sure which other project areas would provide the most suitable assistance, NCSD will try and match that project area to the best site.
If you are interested in applying for this TA opportunity, please send a letter
of request (e-mailed letters are fine) with the following information to the
NCSD office.
1. Purpose
2. Brief description of program or activity you wish to study
3. What you hope to achieve from this TA opportunity
If you have questions about the process, please call Theresa Raphael
at 202.842.4660.
Below is a copy of a report from a TA trip requested by Minnesota. This gives you an idea of why they requested the TA, why they chose the New Orleans program, and how they benefited. (All recipients of NCSD TA funds are required to write this brief report.)
NCSD Peer-to-Peer Technical Assistance Project Report
AIDS/STD Screening and Services
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT
NCSD provided funds for an STD staff person Minnesota to visit the New Orleans parish to observe their school based STD screening program. MDH would like to work with the Minneapolis School District to conduct a screening for asymptomatic gonorrhea and chlamydia among students 15 to 19 years of age. Any positive cases found would be treated for said infections. The screening we proposed will take place in the 55411 zip code, which is located within the inner city of Minneapolis. The reason for selecting this area is that it remains the leading zip code in the state for diagnosed cases of GC and CT. In 1999 alone there were 794 cases reported to the Department of Health. New Orleans has been conducting a successful screening program for four years now, and has proven that the process works.
DESCRIPTION OF NEW ORLEANS SCREENING PROGRAM
The Louisiana Department Of Health is currently providing gonorrhea and chlamydia screening once a week in five area high schools in different parishes, to any student that has a signed consent form from a parent, or is eighteen years of age. Any student found to be infected is then adequately treated, and provided with education on how to prevent re-infection, and other safe sex information. Results are distributed by means of a telephone number that has been established for the students to call and enter their personal identification number. A trained counselor then gives out test results. If the student's results are positive, then they are given referrals to area clinics where they may receive treatment. This program has been working for four years now, and they are in the process of adding five more schools to the program. In 2000, after screening 6,000 students, the program treated 534 cases of GC and CT. Despite extreme poverty and inadequate funding, this is a very successful program due to the willingness of the School District to work with local professionals to eradicate the disparities that exist, and the dedication of the staff of nurses, college interns, physicians, and health professionals who volunteer their time to specifically follow through with individual students and their parents. Last but not least, part of the success goes to the parents of the students. Due to the fact that Louisiana does not have a Minor Consent Act, the cooperation of the parents is crucial to the success of this program.
BENEFIT TO MINNESOTA
The information collected in New Orleans is invaluable when it comes to questions regarding our efforts here in Minnesota. The program director Ladatra Sanders was extremely helpful, and shared with me their written protocols regarding medications, and other guidelines for their program. In addition, I collected specific advice on how to address other logistical questions, including lab procedures, student incentives, logistics, medication protocols, etc. The New Orleans program is a shining example of the major difference an agency can make when a pool of infection is aggressively attacked.