Core Training Programs: Behavioral Intervention Training
The Behavioral Intervention Training centers provide courses that teach the use of evidence-based STD/HIV prevention interventions at the individual, group, and community level. Training is also provided in areas of program support needed to implement and maintain such interventions. The intended target audience is prevention providers in public, private, and community sectors who are responsible for the implementation or supervision of STD/HIV prevention programs in community, clinic-based, or criminal justice settings. These courses teach skills and strategies to influence changes in behaviors that place people at risk for STD or HIV infection. The four Behavioral PTCs provide training on several evidence-based behavioral interventions from the CDC's Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) Project, as well as courses that seek to develop skills to support their successful implementation. The Behavioral Intervention PTCs work together to provide training throughout four geographic quadrants of the United States. The Behavioral PTCs can work with health departments and agencies to strategize a sequential training plan comprised of program support and evidence-based intervention courses specific to regional/agency needs and strengths.
Centers offering Behavioral Interventions Training:
Course Offerings
Bridging Theory & Practice: Applying Behavioral Theory to STD/HIV Prevention
This two-day course provides participants with a working knowledge of several behavioral theories and behavior change models, as well as their respective behavioral risk determinants, and links them to STD/HIV prevention interventions. Participants will strengthen the skills learned in the course through interactive small group work. The course includes an overview of the different levels of interventions, and the introduction of a framework for linking theory, behavioral determinants and interventions. This course is considered a critical foundation for any program involved in STD/HIV prevention work and will greatly assist those considering implementing an evidence-based behavioral intervention.
Selecting Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions
The primary goal of this two-day training is to provide participants with an understanding of the systematic process for selecting evidence-based behavioral intervention(s) that best fit their community's unique circumstances and organization's capacity. Consequently, this provides the foundation for successful adaptation and implementation. The course will familiarize participants with common terminology and concepts related to selection and the framework designed to select the most appropriate intervention(s).
Community Based Assessment: A Guide for HIV Prevention Workers
This two-day course provides hands-on instruction in the various methods that are part of the participatory learning community based assessment (CBA) methodology. The guiding philosophy is that community members are the experts of that specific community and any prevention effort needs to take this into account. CBA methods incorporate activities designed to assess knowledge, community assets, and needs; creating problem-solving opportunities from which effective program development can emerge. Via small group activities, participants will develop strategies to incorporate methods to address different at-risk communities.
Using Evaluation for Program Improvement and Capacity Building
This two-day course is designed for health department staff, community based organizations, and capacity building providers who need to develop or enhance basic evaluation skills. Participants will learn how to use evaluation to improve HIV prevention interventions, define common evaluation terms, use logic models to describe interventions, and develop and prioritize evaluation questions. Moreover, participants will learn to identify steps to prepare for evaluation and strategies for building organizational evaluation capacity.
Facilitation Skills for Group Level STD/HIV Interventions
This two-day course focuses on the enhancement of participant's group facilitation skills relevant to group-level STD/HIV prevention interventions. The primary focus is practicing good facilitation skills. Participants have the opportunity to assess their own skills and strengths, incorporate different learning styles to create richer learning environments, and demonstrate skills in working with group challenges.
Fundamentals of Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services
This three-day course is intended for STD/HIV health professionals who plan to conduct Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services (CRCS), (formerly Prevention Case Management). This course is intended for those who have already decided to implement CRCS and are in search of skills-based training on the CRCS process. Course content includes an overview of the CRCS model, the CRCS counselor role, legal and ethical issues, cultural implications, theories that underlie CRCS, and program standards. A strong emphasis is placed on the implementation of the core elements for CRCS. Participants will have opportunity to practice using documentation tools from CDC's CRCS Implementation Manual.
DEBI Course Offerings
For a complete listing of available DEBI courses, please visit www.effectiveinterventions.org.
Sample of Additional Course Offerings
- Adapting Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions
- Buying Upstream: Applying Structural and Environmental Interventions to HIV Prevention
- Comprehensive Introduction to Effective STD/HIV Behavioral Interventions
- DEBI Overview
- Facilitating Youth Groups for STD/HIV Prevention Interventions
- Focus Groups: Planning, Facilitating, and Basic Analysis
- Fundamentals of Program Planning
- HIV/STD Interventions: Research to the Real World
- HIV Testing Procedures
- Implementing Rapid HIV Testing
- Influencing Healthy Sexual Behaviors: Prevention Messages for Individuals Living with HIV
- Inter-Relationships Between HIV and Other STDs
- Meeting the STD/HIV Prevention Needs of Transgender Clients
- Motivational Interviewing
- Partner and Domestic Violence Assessment and Referral
- Positive Strengths: Building Provider Competencies and Skills in Prevention with HIV+ Clients
- Prevention and Management of STDs for Person Living with HIV/AIDS
- Risk-Reduction Through Client-Centered Counseling
- STD Overview for Non-Clinicians
- Stage-based Behavioral Counseling for STD/HIV Prevention
- Supporting Self-Disclosure of HIV Status: A Skills-based Training for Providers
- Working with Communities to Achieve Change
Note: Courses may vary by training center. Please visit the individual training centers to find a complete list of course offerings and dates available in each region. Some courses are available in Spanish.