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The data management team is responsible for the reporting of data collected for the largest publicly funded HIV testing program in the nation. Since testing began in 1985, over 5.3 million testing records have been collected, stored, and maintained by the Data Management team. Routine quality assurance assessments are conducted to make sure the data is complete and accurate. These data are shared with partners within the Division of Disease Control via electronic lab reporting. The data team produces annual reports on testing performed statewide, processes data requests from the public and County Health Department personnel and is a regular contributor to the Data At A Glance Reports. This is in addition to grant progress reports and data submissions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is no surprise that in addition to maintaining a traditional testing program, our state Counseling and Testing Team has been instrumental in the expansion of the Florida HIV rapid testing program 300% from 2003 – 2008! The five staff on the Counseling and Testing Team are responsible for several statewide HIV testing areas. These areas include: 500/501 counselor training, liaison with 14 area Early Intervention Consultants, distribution of OraSure collection devices and testing forms to test sites, HIV rapid test training and kit dissemination, coordination of the African American Testing Initiative and Social Network Strategies, product review, and site registrations and QI
The Interventions Team is responsible for providing technical assistance to community-based organizations and county health departments who are implementing evidence-based interventions and other prevention strategies. Our interventions are divided into two categories: interventions for high-risk negative persons and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Currently, The Interventions Team oversees and provides guidance to over 40 community-based organizations funded by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS to provide evidence-based interventions and strategies. Another major responsibility of the Interventions Team is to assess the need for and coordinate intervention and capacity building trainings statewide. This team serves as the point of contact for all Prevention and Training Consultants (PTCs) working in our county health departments, providing guidance and assistance for outreach and education activities Native American HIV/AIDS Advisory Group,.Lastly, this team also oversees the American Indian Advisory Council, the Carlos Alvarez Educational Materials Review Panel, and creation of HIV prevention education materials.
The research and evaluation team assures the quality collection, analysis, and dissemination of data on Florida’s HIV prevention services and at-risk populations. These activities serve to document and improve the state’s HIV prevention efforts. Through participation in the National Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) System DOH is able to collect data and share findings on the prevention needs of high-risk populations in South Florida. DOH staff and the evaluation consortium help monitor and evaluate statewide and local prevention programs. Numerous resources are available to prevention program staffs on the monitoring and evaluation webpage.
The Community Prevention’s team is where the rubber hits the road for HIV prevention. The team works to support community prevention efforts and to build community capacity and collaborations. The activities of the Community Prevention’s team directly impacts communities. The Community Prevention’s team has the lead on community planning, community mobilization initiatives, media campaigns, contracts, faith, and special projects. Some team highlights include: the WeMakeTheChange.com site, Sistas Organizing to Survive (S.O.S.) mobilization initiative, and Florida’s Business Response to AIDS.
The Information Systems team coordinates the 'front-end' data processes for the section, ensures all data is secure, and helps support the other teams of the Prevention section. The Prevention IS team includes the Statewide Program Evaluation and Monitoring System (PEMS) Implementation Coordinator, who works with other members of the Prevention section, to ensure contract agencies and county health departments around the state are able to access and use the national data reporting system, PEMS. This team also includes a Data Operations Coordinator, who is responsible for inputting test site registration information for the Counseling_and_Testing team, getting HIV test forms out to testing sites, and coordinating all data entry processes.
The Linkage Team’s programs are designed with one goal in mind, “linking HIV+ persons to care and treatment.” They consist of the Corrections Program, Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI), and the Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA). The Corrections Program consists of the Pre-Release Planning Program with the Department of Corrections and the Jail Linkage Project, both of which work directly with incarcerated persons and ex-offenders who are HIV positive. MAI is an initiative geared toward minorities with a positive HIV diagnosis, to assist them in learning to navigate the system of care. TOPWA works specifically with women who are at risk of acquiring HIV, pregnant women and their infants, by ensuring that pregnant women have access to prenatal care and services. The Linkage Team members act as liaisons for the Bureau of Family Health and substance abuse issues which intersect with HIV risk.
*Every 9 1/2 minutes, another person in the United States becomes infected with HIV
www.nineandahalfminutes.org
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