The AIDS Funding Collaborative (AFC) strengthens the community’s response to HIV/AIDS as a public/private partnership providing coordination, leadership, advocacy, and funding in Cuyahoga County. The AFC has designated targeted funds to increase access to HIV prevention and linkage to care in neighborhoods and networks that are most heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS.
This opportunity is intended to support professional development and thereby improve the community’s capacity to provide effective HIV prevention and linkage to care services. The AFC will provide up to a total of $15,000 (at a maximum of $250 per certificate/ $1,500 per agency) in reimbursement incentives for Cuyahoga County organizations that facilitate their staff, contractors, or volunteers in obtaining HIV PrEP Navigation Certification (HIVPNC) and/or HIV Prevention Certified Provider (HIVPCP) certification.
HealthHIV training
The Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative (EHE) highlights the need for increased HIV prevention efforts, including the need for more providers to prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and deliver effective, comprehensive, culturally competent HIV prevention interventions.
HealthHIV is a national non-profit working with healthcare organizations, communities, and providers to advance effective HIV, HCV, STI and LGBTQ health care, harm reduction and health equity. HealthHIV leads the National Center for Health Care Capacity Building and PleasePrepMe.org, among others, and coordinates the Synchronicity Conference.
The HealthHIV HIV PrEP Navigation Certification (HIVPNC) Program (~4 hours) is focused on preparing providers and allied health professionals to guide community members in their use of PrEP over time. The HealthHIV HIV Prevention Certified Provider (HIVPCP) Program is longer (~8 hours) and more comprehensive, and it is focused on competency in interdisciplinary, multi-level strategies for HIV prevention. Several types of continuing education credits are available.
Both the HIVPNC and HIVPCP are free, self-paced, online multi-module educational certification programs. Participants who complete either or both programs will earn a certification and may also choose to be added to a national online directory.
Who should apply? Applicant agencies must:
- Be nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or public agencies
- Provide HIV prevention and or HIV PrEP navigation services, or engage in work that impacts a population affected by HIV/AIDS
- Serve Cuyahoga County residents, as required by the regional funding parameters of the AFC’s current funding partners
- Commit to sharing photos, case studies, or project testimonials (in the form of staff or client quotes) for use in AFC communications about the certifications that were supported by this effort
- Consider adding affiliated personnel to the relevant online directory once certified
Funded agencies will receive awards of $250 per staff, contractor, or volunteer certification completed within the time period, with a maximum of $1,500 per agency. In the case of multiple affiliations, each certificate may only be credited toward one agency. Award payments will be made on the 15th and the last day of each month until all targeted funds have been expended or the deadline of August 23, 2024, has been reached.
Application Procedure
The proof-of-certification form can be found at bit.ly/AFCHIVpxcerts and should be submitted no later than Friday, August 23, 2024. Please use one form for each certification, but multiple forms may be sent in one email. If you have questions or difficulties with the form, please reach out.
Review Process
AFC staff will review all forms submitted by the deadline that meet the eligibility requirements and make funding recommendations. Final approval will be made by the AFC Advisory Committee. Applicant organizations may be asked to provide additional information.
Reporting
Recipients of these grants are not required to submit follow-up reports but may be asked to share HIV prevention- or PrEP navigation-related photos, testimonials, or case studies. Addition of all certifications into the relevant online national directory is encouraged.
Application Deadline: Friday, August 23, 2024
Questions? Reach out to Julie Patterson at443-786-2377 | jpatterson@communitysolutions.com
