This three-hour training explains the employment rights of people with HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance use disorders. It focuses on anti-discrimination laws, such as New York City and State Human Rights Laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and touches on issues related to health and life insurance.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe what employers may ask about disabilities, including HIV status, Viral Hepatitis, and substance use disorders;
• Describe the basic workplace anti-discrimination protections for people with HIV, Viral Hepatitis and substance use disorders;
• List legal remedies available to people who have experienced workplace discrimination; and
• Identify useful resources to help clients understand their employment rights and seek legal help when they believe their rights have been violated.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Health and social service providers working with individuals who have HIV, hepatitis, and/or substance use disorders and who are employed or seeking employment.

The Engagement in Care Series highlights important issues in linkage to care, retention in care and treatment adherence for people living with HIV through exploring specific case studies.  These brief, interactive on-line trainings take approxiamtely 20 minutes to complete.

The first session in this series addresses the case of Will, a 51 year old gay man who has been living with HIV for thirty years.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe the importance of engaging  older HIV+ men who are gay or MSM in care;
2. List barriers to linkage and retention that older HIV+ men who are gay or MSM face;
3. Describe strategies that health and human services providers can use to improve linkage and retention among older HIV+ men who are gay or MSM.

Course Description:
This half-day training will provide health and human services providers an overview of health literacy and give participants the opportunity to develop skills utilizing health literacy universal precautions to clearly communicate with patients or clients. At completion of this training, participants will be able to apply two health literacy strategies, plain language and teach back method, into their work.

Objectives:
• Define health literacy, the health literacy disconnect in healthcare, and how this affects patients and the public
• Learn about two health literacy universal precautions, plain language and teach back method, to improve communication and patient understanding
• Develop plain language and teach back facilitation skills
• Identify common concerns and challenges associated with incorporating plain language and teach back method with all patients

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this training. 

Target Audience:  This training is for health and human service providers and Peer Workers who work with clients or patients.

(Formerly titled Health Literacy Strategies for Clear Communication) 

This one-day training is designed to help participants become more comfortable discussing sexual health issues with MSM (men who have sex with men). It will provide an overview of the role of the non-medical provider in addressing barriers to linkage and retention in care for MSM, and methods to help MSM become advocates for their sexual health. The course will address participants’ values, attitudes, and beliefs about MSM, and offer guidance on how to employ a sex-positive approach to such areas as anal sex and cancer, substance use, STIs (including HIV and HCV), PEP and PrEP, serosorting, condoms, and treatment as prevention.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall NY State epidemiology on MSM and HIV.
• Identify strategies that providers can use to address barriers to prevention, treatment, and care for MSM.
• Identify patient navigation techniques to help MSM talk to their medical providers about their sexual health.
• State current information on anal health and anal cancer.
• Address PEP, PrEP, and prevention burnout among MSM.
• Identify strategies that address mental health, substance use, and sexual risk in MSM.

Target Audience:

Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/ patients with HIV including case managers, home care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff and others

Pre-Requisite:

Recommended but not required to have attended HIV 101 or basic HIV Courses offered at www.hivtrainingny.org.

This one-day training is designed to build the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to enable non-physician health and human services providers to deliver culturally competent services to the diverse range of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) clients they serve.  This interactive training will help providers identify best practices for creating a welcoming and safe environment for LGBTQ clients.  It will also help participants identify communication skills needed for effective engagement of the wide range of LGBTQ clients at risk for, or living with, HIV, STIs or Hepatitis C.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• define various gender and sexuality terminologies, including identities and concepts, used in LGBTQ communities.
• differentiate sex, gender identity and recognize the sexual orientation as their own distinct concepts and that they exist on a continuum.
• distinguish between various forms of oppression experienced by LGBTQ people and how these levels are interconnected.
• understand the concepts of unexamined privilege and its relationship with oppression.
• reflect on and identify one’s own privileges and types of oppression in professional settings and how their privilege/oppression affects their client/provider relationship.
• define social determinants of health
• identify reasons why LGBTQ people are disproportionately at risk based on social determinants of health
• recognize specific LGBTQ health disparities among various LGBTQ subpopulations.
• describe protective factors for LGBTQ people that counter health risks.
• identify strategies that organizations/agencies can adopt or create to ensure safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ clients/patients and staff.

Prerequisite:  Additional trainings are not required to attend this course.

Target Audience:  This training is for non-clinical health and human service providers who work with LGBTQ clients or patients.

This 30-minute on-line module will provide health and human service providers with an introduction to Motivational Interviewing. The course will review the basic elements of Motivational Interviewing and how it can be helpful to providers when working with clients who are HIV positive, infected with Hepatitis C, or require harm reduction services.

By the end of this on-line course, you will be able to:

• Define Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• List 3 benefits of using MI
• Identify the major elements of MI
• Discuss ways to know if MI is effective
• Identify opportunities to use principles of MI in consumer encounters

Prerequisite:  None

Intended audience: All health and human service providers.

The AIDS Institute's Certified Peer Worker Code of Ethics outlines 19 principles that guide Peer Workers in defining their roles, relationships, and scope of responsibility. As part of the certification process, Peer Workers are required to sign an attestation that they agree to follow this Code of Ethics at all times.

This 30-minute online module will provide Peer Workers with an opportunity to reflect on situations they may encounter in their work and consider how the Peer Worker Code of Ethics can help to determine the best course of action.

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

• Recall the purpose of the Certified Peer Worker Code of Ethics
• Practice making decisions on how to respond to different situations with clients based on the Certified Peer Worker Code of Ethics

Prerequisite:  None

Intended audience: Peer Workers

This two-day training is designed to increase awareness of Peer Workers about HIV primary care guidelines, the HIV Treatment Cascade, health insurance options, and treatment adherence. Peer Workers who are aware of HIV primary care guidelines and strategies for supporting treatment adherence can play an important role in improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• List the components of primary care for patients living with HIV
• Understand the HIV Treatment Cascade and how it informs their work
• Explain to patients the key elements of the annual comprehensive physical exam for patients living with HIV
• Explain to patients the importance of routine laboratory screening and assessments used in primary care for people living with HIV
• Recall the different classes of HIV medications and briefly describe how they work
• Identify common barriers to treatment adherence, including medication side effects
• List three specific strategies for promoting treatment adherence
• Understand the health insurance assistance programs regarding the treatment and care of PLWHA
• Recognize the impact of culture on accessing healthcare
• Work as a member of the care team to:
  1. Help patients take advantage of health maintenance services, vaccination, and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections
  2. Conduct client assessments and make referrals for a variety of psychosocial issues including substance use, mental health, domestic violence, smoking cessation, etc.
  3. Participate in case conferences.

Audience: Peer Workers who work with clients living with HIV. A “peer” is defined as someone living with HIV, AIDS, Hep C, and/or has experience accessing Harm Reduction services.

Prerequisite: HIV/AIDS 101 Training

Black and Latino young gay men and young men who have sex with men (YMSM) experience significant health care-related disparities, that may be associated with stigma, age, socioeconomic status and a cultural mistrust of the medical system. Some of the most vulnerable young gay men and MSM may have had limited exposure to the health care system or in some cases experiences that were negative.

This half-day training will explore the unique barriers that may prevent Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM from connecting to and remaining engaged in health care services. This training will focus on how prevention, support services, and outreach staff can help Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM understand the importance of health care services. Participants will be prepared to educate Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM on what to expect from a clinical visit, how to discuss their specific health concerns with their health care provider and make informed decisions about when and how to disclose pertinent personal information such as sexual orientation, sexual practices and other issues.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explore factors that may influence access to health care services specifically for Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM
• Recall the importance of health care services for Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM
• Describe what a clinical visit may look like for Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM
• Identify strategies to assist Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM in overcoming some of the barriers to health care services
• Identify ways to support Black and Latino Young Gay Men and YMSM in making informed decisions regarding when to share their sexual orientation, sexual practices, and other personal information with their health care provider.

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite to attend this course.  It is strongly recommended that participants previously attended the training titled: Supporting Sexual Health Among YMSM of Color

Target Audience: Non-physician health and human service providers who work with young gay men and YMSM

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is an important addition to the HIV prevention toolbox, especially for individuals at highest risk of acquiring HIV. This half-day training will prepare non-clinical health and human services providers to educate their communities about PrEP, work with clinical providers to expand access to PrEP and provide support to clients who are taking PrEP.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Deliver culturally relevant educational messages about PrEP to clients who may benefit from this intervention;
• Discuss the efficacy of PrEP in terms that clients can understand;
• Refer clients to a host of NYS, NYC, national and local resources regarding PrEP including the PrEP/PEP Voluntary Provider Directory;
• Identify resources to assist clients with reimbursement for PrEP medication, medical appointments, HIV/STD testing and other prevention tools such as condoms, sterile syringes, etc.;
• Integrate messages about PrEP into HIV/STD testing and other prevention services offered by the organization;
• Assist clients on PrEP with behavioral counseling and support daily adherence to the medication;

Partner with local providers that prescribe PrEP to promote easy access to PrEP

Target Audience

The principle target audience is non-clinical health and human services staff who:

• are involved in offering HIV testing, harm reduction counseling, prevention services, community outreach or adherence support
• work with individuals at high risk for HIV who have an opportunity to provide education or support regarding PrEP
• who work in clinical settings who may have an opportunity to provide education or support around PrEP
• Peer Workers who work with people at risk with HIV and STDs

Prerequisite:

Participants should have prior basic training on HIV and STDs.

This three hour session will provide information about the full range of substance use treatment services available through the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.  Emphasis will be placed on new developments in recovery oriented treatment, regional partnership building and how to make effective referrals for these services.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the full range of recovery oriented treatment services available through OASAS
• Make referrals for the range of treatment options, including medication-assisted treatment and other options
• Identify new developments in reimbursement and insurance coverage for substance use treatment in NYS
• Recall information about the important role of substance use disorder peer workers
• Identify regional issues and build partnerships
• Learn about OASAS resources, videos, websites, etc.

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this training.

Target Audience: Staff from AIDS Institute funded organizations which provide prevention, support or health care services to people living with, or at risk for, HIV/STDs/Viral hepatitis. 

Any health or human services provider who works with people who present with substance use issues. 

This webcast, organized in four easy to watch segments, explores important concepts and best practices for promoting the health of people who use drugs.  The program features a nationally recognized panel of experts including: Lawrence Brown, MD, MPH, FASAM, Chief Executive Officer of START Treatment and Recovery Centers; Sharon Stancliff, MD, Medical Director at the Harm Reduction Coalition, Valerie White, Deputy Director of the AIDS Institute, Narelle Ellendon, RN, Director of Capacity Building Services at the Harm Reduction Coalition and Smara Gabree, NP and HIV Specialist at Whitney Young Health. The webcast features an important new video comprised of people who use drugs reflecting on key topics related to health and an educational video designed to teach safer injecting practices to people who use drugs.   

By the end of this webcast, participants will be able to:

1.      Recall trends in substance use among New York residents

2.      Define the term “drug user health” and the range of services  drug users may need

3.      Identify organizational and individual provider best practices in serving drug users

4.      Recall upcoming training opportunities available from the AIDS Institute’s Drug User Health Training Center of Expertise

Segment One - Reviews trends in substance use in NYS and describes what is meant by the term drug user health.  (46 minutes)
SEGMENT ONE VIDEO LINK (visible after registration): https://vimeo.com/154993687

 

Segment Two - Highlights the voices of people who use drugs discussing key topics related to drug user health and the commitment of people who use drugs to maintaining their own health. (24 minutes)
SEGMENT TWO VIDEO LINK (visible after registration): https://vimeo.com/153539198

 

Segment Three - Explores best practices for providing services that will engage people who use drugs.  (47 minutes)
SEGMENT THREE VIDEO LINK (visible after registration): https://vimeo.com/157330201

 

Segment Four: Shares information about the AIDS Institute’s new training center of expertise addressing Drug User Health and Opioid Overdose Prevention and previews an important new video on Safer Injecting Practices. (29 minutes) 
SEGMENT FOUR VIDEO LINK (visible after registration): https://vimeo.com/155023729

TOTAL VIEWING TIME: 2 hours, 26 minutes

Intended Audience: Health and human services providers who work with people who use drugs

This 90-minute webinar will provide a basic explanation of how these two programs fit together for individuals living with HIV that are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (dual eligibles), with special emphasis on the Medicare Part D drug benefit and how to best coordinate that coverage with other public health programs in New York State, like ADAP, EPIC and Medicaid. Empire Justice will also discuss the problems clients are likely to encounter in applying for the Part D’s low-income subsidy and identify advocacy strategies for to maximize help with prescription drug costs.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Health or social services providers and legal advocates who work with or advocate for people with HIV/AIDS.

Presenter: Cathy Roberts, Trilby deJung

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is an important addition to the HIV prevention toolbox, especially for individuals at highest risk of acquiring HIV. This 2-hour webinar will prepare non-clinical health and human services providers to educate their communities about PrEP, work with clinical providers to expand access to PrEP and provide support to clients who are taking PrEP.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Deliver culturally relevant educational messages about PrEP to clients who may benefit from this intervention;
• Discuss the efficacy of PrEP in terms that clients can understand;
• Refer clients to a host of NYS, NYC, national and local resources regarding PrEP including the PrEP/PEP Voluntary Provider Directory;
• Identify resources to assist clients with reimbursement for PrEP medication, medical appointments, HIV/STD testing and other prevention tools such as condoms, sterile syringes, etc.;
• Integrate messages about PrEP into HIV/STD testing and other prevention services offered by the organization;
• Assist clients on PrEP with behavioral counseling and support daily adherence to the medication;

Partner with local providers that prescribe PrEP to promote easy access to PrEP

Target Audience

The principle target audience is non-clinical health and human services staff who:

• are involved in offering HIV testing, harm reduction counseling, prevention services, community outreach or adherence support
• work with individuals at high risk for HIV who have an opportunity to provide education or support regarding PrEP
• who work in clinical settings who may have an opportunity to provide education or support around PrEP
• Peer Workers who work with people at risk with HIV and STDs

Prerequisite:

Participants should have prior basic training on HIV and STDs.

 This one-day training is designed to assist health and human services providers in promoting retention in care and treatment adherence with active substance users.  Providers that are aware of effective strategies for working with active substance users can play a vital role in assisting clients with retention and treatment adherence. Topics to be covered during the training include: defining active substance use, including levels of use; strategies for talking with clients about the importance of maintaining healthcare; harm reduction strategies and tools for working with active substance users.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Increase their knowledge of issues related to active substance use and HIV/HCV retention in care and treatment adherence;
• Recall the definition of active substance use and recognize various forms of substance use and stages of use;
• Recognize strengths of substance users and identify ways to use those strengths to achieve retention in care and treatment adherence
• Recognize strategies employed by providers to work with active substance users;
• Describe strategies for supporting retention in care and treatment adherence during periods of chaotic use, relapse and transitions in and out of drug treatment

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or basic training on HIV, hepatitis C and substance use.

Audience: All non-physician health and human service providers or Peer Workers who work with people living with HIV.

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

Ever Wish You Could . . . Stop Using Heroin? (booklet)
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9162.pdf

Be Aware. Don't Share (ESAP brochure)
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9405.pdf

What Does Your Needle Look Like? (brochure)
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9508.pdf

See An Overdose? Call 911 Immediately! (palm card)
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0226.pdf

This one-day training will build participant knowledge and skills in offering sexual harm reduction options to substance users. Although expanded access to syringes and drug treatment options have helped people greatly reduce their substance use-related risks for HIV, the latest research shows that sexual risk behaviors play a significant role in new cases of HIV among people who use drugs and alcohol.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the latest research that shows how expanded access to syringes and methadone maintenance programs has greatly reduced the number of new cases of HIV from substance use-related risk;
• Identify and discuss sexual risk behaviors clients engage in when using drugs and alcohol;
• Identify harm reduction strategies for reducing sexual risk among people who use drugs and alcohol; and
• Practice harm reduction messages tailored to sexual behaviors for people who use drugs and alcohol.

Prerequisite: None.

Audience: All health and human service providers and Peer Workers 

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This one-day training is designed for non-clinical providers working with clients presenting with high risk behaviors and/or those who are HIV positive. This course builds on the basic core communication skills of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and provides an overview of the four processes of the MI approach.  Participants will have an opportunity to practice each of the processes and utilize MI tools and techniques to help clients move in the direction of changing risky behaviors.

Objectives – at the conclusion of this training, participants will have increased capacity to:

• Describe the 4 processes of Motivational Interviewing.
• Describe and practice the core skills of engaging with a client.
• Identify and practice the steps of focusing with a client.
• Address ambivalence and elicit motivations and change talk with a client.
• Develop a plan for behavior change with a client.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and harm reduction, as well as a basic understanding of MI and the core communication skills used in MI.

This one-day training is to increase the awareness and sensitivity of health and human service providers to the challenges of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) involved in community re-entry after release from a correctional facility. These challenges include the overlapping issues of family reunification, mental health, substance use, and need for HIV care. Best practices will be reviewed to support community re-entry and utilization of HIV medical care and other services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the specific challenges of family reunification for people living with HIV/AIDS;
• Describe the impact of unresolved past and possible future traumatic events;
• Use supportive inquiry to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the overlapping challenges encountered by released people living with HIV/AIDS as well as the strengths and resources of their "families" and/or social networks;
• Use strength-based strategies for supporting community re-entry for individuals with co-morbidities of HIV/AIDS, mental health/trauma issues, and/or substance abuse; and
• Facilitate clients' access to HIV primary care and support services including drug treatment and overdose prevention to effectively manage challenges.

Prerequisite: It is required that participants take the AIDS Institute training, "Improving Outcomes for HIV-Positive Individuals Transitioning from Correctional Settings to the Community" before attending this training.

Audience: All health and human service providers who work directly with formerly incarcerated clients.

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This one-day training explores the broad definition of culture and its relationship to competent and effective health care and human service delivery.

As a result of training participants will be able to:

• Discuss invisible privilege and its affect on both receiving and providing services;
• Explore potential obstacles to providing effective services; and
• Describe how these obstacles are created when diverse cultures, Western medicine and human service deliveries collide.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Any health or human services provider or Peer Worker

This 2.5 hour face to face course is intended as a follow-up training to the "Peers Providing Trauma-Informed Care" training.

This is a closed course, and it is only available to those Peers who have already successfully completed the full day original course, "Peers Providing Trauma-Informed Care".

Please note:  The prerequisite for this course is successful participation in the "Peers Proving Trauma-Informed Care" full day training.

This two-day training will help to increase providers' confidence, knowledge and skills in facilitating groups, particularly for group level HIV/STD prevention interventions (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evidenced-based interventions).

As a result of this training participants will be able to:

• Increase their understanding of group process and how it influences behavior change;
• Identify qualities of an effective group facilitator;
• Increase skills in facilitating STD/HIV prevention intervention groups;
• Identify strategies for handling group problems; and
• Learn the importance of training, supporting and evaluating group facilitators.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: All health and human service providers who conduct group level STD/HIV prevention interventions.

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 13 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This one-day course will provide health and human service providers with a comprehensive overview of Harm Reduction.  Harm reduction is a practical set of strategies designed to prevent disease and promote health by “meeting people where they are” rather than making judgments about where they should be in terms of their personal health and lifestyle. Recognizing that not everyone is ready or able to stop risky behavior, harm reduction focuses on promoting ways to reduce the health risks associated with drug use and other high risk behaviors. This course will assist providers in more effectively engaging their clients in a range of interventions to reduce the risk of harm.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define the key principles of harm reduction;
• Identify at least three attitudes they have about using a harm reduction approach;
• Explore the harm reduction premise that the client is the expert and is responsible for choosing the type and timing of behavior change ;
• List a range of harm reduction options for substance use behaviors;
• Identify a range of harm reduction options for sexual behaviors;

• Describe ways in which they can incorporate harm reduction skills into their relationships with clients;
• Practice identifying relevant approaches and barriers to using harm reduction techniques with their clients.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: All non-physician health and human services providers; peer educators; and anyone in the general public with an interest in HIV/AIDS.

Description: This one-day training will explore hepatitis c virus (HCV) prevention for young (18-29 years) people who inject drugs (PWID) in both urban and non-urban settings. The training will emphasize the link between viral hepatitis infection, prescription opioid misuse, and the potential for transition to heroin. Through interactive skills building activities, participants will identify strategies for effective and culturally competent engagement and intervention with youth who inject drugs.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the scope of HCV infection in young PWIDs.
• Explain the association between the emerging epidemic of HCV infections among young persons and the prescription drug epidemic
• Identify factors impacting young PWIDs’ vulnerability to HCV infection.
• Identify the principles of youth-centered, harm reduction-oriented service provision.
• Formulate effective prevention messages that address young PWIDs’ risk behaviors related to drug use.
• Identify strategies for HCV prevention, care and treatment for young PWID.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or basic training on HIV, hepatitis C and substance use.

Audience: All health and human service providers and Peer Workers

This one-day training will help increase non-clinical health and human services provider’s knowledge of Hepatitis C screening and diagnosis and the importance of effective linkage to care for persons infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

By the completion of this training, providers will be able to:

• Describe the burden of HCV disease.
• Identify HCV risk groups.
• Describe the NYS law with regard to offering an HCV screening test.
• Distinguish between HCV screening and diagnostic tests and the meaning of their results.
• Demonstrate the delivery of accurate HCV counseling messages based on test result.
• State and explain the importance of linking people infected with HCV to care.
• List two barriers and two solutions to effectively linking HCV infected persons to care.
• State at least two core components of an effective active HCV linkage to care model.

Prerequisite:  It is strongly recommended that participants have basic knowledge of HCV or have previously attended, ‘Integrating Viral Hepatitis into Your Work,’ or, ‘HIV and HCV Co-infection,’ trainings.

Audience: Any health or human services provider or HIV, HCV or Harm Reduction Peer Worker involved in HCV screening or linkage to care services

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

What Do You Know About Hepatitis C and HIV? (booklet):
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9602.pdf

Hepatitis C: Screening, Diagnosis and Linkage to Care (booklet)
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1885.pdf

This half-day training is for health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV and who need updated information about HIV/HCV co-infection in order to provide effective services to their clients. More than 25% of people living with HIV in the United States are co-infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among people who acquired HIV as a result of injection drug use, the rates of HIV/HCV co-infection may be as high as 90%. HCV screening is recommended for all persons living with HIV.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall basic information about the liver and hepatitis C, including transmission, prevention, course of illness, screening and treatment;
• Counsel their HIV positive client about the importance of knowing their HCV status;
• Describe how co-infection with HIV and HCV affects the progression of each disease;
• Recall current trends and improvements in treatment for people who are co-infected with HIV and HCV; and
• List at least three additional service needs of people with HIV who are also co-infected with HCV.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV/AIDS.

Audience: Any health or human services provider or HIV, HCV or Harm Reduction Peer Worker

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 3 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This one-day training is for health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV and who need updated information about HIV/HCV co-infection in order to provide effective services to their clients. More than 25% of people living with HIV in the United States are co-infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among people who acquired HIV as a result of injection drug use, the rates of HIV/HCV co-infection may be as high as 90%. HCV screening is recommended for all persons living with HIV.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall basic information about the liver and hepatitis C, including transmission, prevention, course of illness, screening and treatment;
• Counsel their HIV positive client about the importance of knowing their HCV status;
• Describe how co-infection with HIV and HCV affects the progression of each disease;
• Recall current trends and improvements in treatment for people who are co-infected with HIV and HCV; and
• List at least three additional service needs of people with HIV who are also co-infected with HCV.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV/AIDS.

Audience: All health and human service providers.

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

The purpose of this two-day training is to prepare HIV Peer Workers to help people with HIV who are newly diagnosed or who have fallen out of care learn to navigate the health care and social service delivery system.  This two-day course draws from recently published guidelines from the International Association of Providers in AIDS Care and other best practices. This training will provide Peer Workers with the tools necessary to assist people with HIV in navigating the complexities of HIV care in the role of patient navigator.

Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define barriers that prevent optimal engagement in HIV care;
2. Recall NYS AIDS Institute HIV Peer Worker competencies related to linkage to care and patient navigation;
3. Outline strategies for assisting clients in navigating the complex maze of HIV care and support services;
4. Respond effectively to common client concerns about accessing HIV care and beginning HIV treatment;
5. Identify best practices for serving as a client escort and providing a facility tour;
6. Provide clients practical guidance regarding appointment scheduling, navigating the health care system and establishing a positive relationship with all members of the HIV care team.

Prerequisite: Basic training in HIV required

Audience:  Peer Workers who work with clients living with HIV. A “peer” is defined as someone living with HIV, AIDS, Hep C, and/or has experience accessing Harm Reduction services.

This webcast will provide information about New York State public health law and regulations that mandate the offering of HIV testing to all patients 13 to 64 years old receiving hospital or primary care services, with some limitations.

After viewing this broadcast, participants will be able to:

• Recall the main objectives of the amended public health law that require the offer of HIV testing to all individuals aged 13-64 in certain health care settings;
• Review the finalized regulations based on the amended HIV Testing Public Health Law (Chapter 308);
• Recall straight-forward strategies for implementing the regulations in three different settings: hospital, emergency department, and community health center; and
• Review the contents of the New York State Department of Health’s “HIV Testing Tool Kit: Resources to Support Routine HIV Testing for Adults and Teens” and understand how providers can use this resource in their work setting.

Prerequisite: None

Target Audience: Staff responsible for overseeing or delivering HIV testing services in primary care settings, pediatric settings or emergency departments.  Any health or human serivces provider itnerested in understanding New York State regulations regarding HIV testing.

After registering (click ‘submit’) follow these directions:

1. The system will generate a completion notification page. Click on “To access online training Click here”

OR

A confirmation email will be sent to you once you register for the course, follow the same steps

2. This will bring you to the SUNY Public Health website, “HIV Testing Update: New Regulation & Strategies from the field” broadcasted on May 17,2012

Under ‘Useful links’ click on ‘Watch on Demand’

3. The vimeo screen will pop-up allowing access to watch the training. Click on the ‘play icon’ to view the training

This one-day training will introduce non-physician providers to co-occurring disorders (substance abuse and mental illness) and their impact on people living with HIV/AIDS. The training will also review trauma and its impacts on care as well as “red flags” or warning signs that might indicate a problem with substance abuse and/or mental health. Participants will also be offered tools for making referrals for appropriate treatment for clients who may be experiencing co-occurring disorders.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define the term “co-occurring disorders” as it applies to substance abuse and mental illness;
• Define the term “trauma” and how it impacts substance abuse, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS;
• List qualities important for a provider in working with people with co-occurring disorders;
• Define the term “red flag” and give examples from case studies; and
• Identify communication skills that help a provider make a referral for co-occurring disorders.

Audience: All non-physician health and human service providers or Peer Workers who work with people living with HIV.

Prerequisites: None

Continuing Education Credits:This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This one-day introductory training will prepare non-physician health and human services providers to address HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and viral hepatitis in an integrated, client-centered manner. The training will review the similarities and differences in transmission, screening, available treatments and needed support services for each of the diseases. The training will emphasize the connection between these diseases and the skills needed to effectively interact with clients whose sexual or substance using behaviors place them at risk for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall data showing the overlap of cases of HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis;
• State the rationale and importance of integration of services related to HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis;
• State the similarities and differences in how HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis are transmitted;
• Deliver an integrated prevention message for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis;
• Provide clients with basic information about the spectrum of illness, testing and treatment for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis; and
• Link clients to needed HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis testing, treatment and support services.

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this training. It is intended for individuals who have not had prior training in HIV, STIs or viral hepatitis.

Audience: Any health or human services provider or Peer Worker
 

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

Hepatitis C educational materials

100 Questions and Answers About HIV/AIDS: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0213.pdf

This three-hour training will cover the legal rights and potential liabilities of adolescents living with, at risk for or affected by HIV.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe when minors can, and cannot, make their own health care decisions when it comes to –
  • HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care
  • STDs and other communicable diseases
  • Alcohol and drug problems
  • Mental health
  • Reproductive health care
• Summarize who has the right to decide about disclosing health information about minors –
  • When their parents are in the picture
  • When foster care, school, public health, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile or criminal justice systems are involved in their lives
• Answer adolescent clients’ and patients’ questions about their legal rights in these areas
• Describe the legal consequences of transmitting HIV to others

Prerequisite: none

Audience: All health and human services providers who work with or advocate for youth at risk or living with HIV and/or with basic understanding of issues facing such adolescents.

This one-day training is designed for non-clinical providers working with clients presenting with high risk behaviors and/or those who are HIV positive. This course will provide an overview of the Motivational Interviewing approach and its value as a client-centered directive intervention. The course focuses on helping providers address client ambivalence and the use of tools to help clients move towards less risky behaviors and change.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Review general principles of Motivational Interviewing;
• Engage clients more effectively during service delivery;
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques and practice skills;
• Respond more effectively to client resistance and reluctance; and
• Identify client’s stage(s) of change and apply appropriate motivational techniques.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and harm reduction.

Audience: Any health or human services provider or Peer Worker

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This 90-minute online training provides basic information about HIV infection and AIDS. It can serve as an introductory course for anyone with a professional or personal interest in HIV/AIDS. The training is organized in four modules that may be completed at your own pace.

• Module One provides the definition of HIV and AIDS and an overview of HIV/AIDS data;
• Module Two explains how HIV is and is not transmitted;
• Module Three reviews basic facts about the immune systems, how HIV progresses and the importance of care and treatment for HIV; and
• Module Four provides information about HIV testing and HIV prevention strategies.

At the end of each module, there is a brief quiz to test your understanding of the material.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: All non-physician health and human services providers; peer educators; and anyone in the general public with an interest in HIV/AIDS.

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 1 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

This 15-minute online training presents the HIV diagnostic testing algorithm which was updated in 2013 as a result of improvements in HIV testing technologies.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

Target Audience: Health care and support service providers who discuss or offer HIV testing

Prerequisites: Completion of a basic training in HIV such as the Online Overview of HIV Infection and AIDS

This one-day interactive training is designed to help health and human service providers gain knowledge and skills in Stage-based Behavioral Counseling approaches and their applied use in HIV/STI/VH prevention and care services.   Staged-based Behavioral Counseling is an adaptation of the stages of change/transtheoretical model of behavior change theory.

As a result of this training, participants will have increased capacity to:

• Describe the stages of change/transtheoretical model of behavior change theory

• Assess clients’ stage of readiness for prevention & care services
• Deliver counseling strategies matched to clients’ stage of readiness
• Integrate behavioral approaches into existing prevention & care services

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Any health or human services provider or Peer Worker

The one-day training will provide Peer Workers with an overview of trauma and Trauma-Informed Care.  It will cover the effects of trauma, re-traumatization and how Peer Workers can utilize a Trauma-Informed approach. The training will emphasize why Peer Workers should be aware of the impact of trauma on the clients they work with, as well as help peer workers understand the importance of using a Trauma-Informed approach within their agencies.  The training will review how Peer Workers can work with other members of the care team to help clients access needed services to address the impact of trauma on their lives, including strategies for destigmatizing mental health services.  The training will also allow Peer Workers to consider the impact of trauma on their own lives and will review self-care strategies to remain balanced when working clients who have experienced trauma.

By the end of this training, Peer Workers will be able to:

1. Understand the impacts of trauma and vicarious trauma on an individual
2. Identify the five principles of Trauma-Informed Care
3. Understand the importance of using a Trauma-Informed approach in their work
4. Utilize the five principles of Trauma-Informed Care to reduce the risk of re-traumatization
5. Work with other members of the care team to help clients who have experienced trauma access needed support services
6. Identify Trauma-Informed approaches which help reduce the stigmatization of accessing mental health services
7. Practice self-care strategies  

Prerequisite: None

Audience: HIV, HCV or Harm Reduction Peer Workers. A “peer” is defined as someone living with HIV, AIDS, Hep C, and/or has experience accessing Harm Reduction services.

This one-day training will provide participants with updated information and strategies for promoting prevention among people living with HIV/AIDS. The latest research demonstrates that early initiation of treatment, retention in care and viral load suppression are critical to the health of people with HIV and also play a key role in reducing new infections. Participants will learn strategies for coupling messages about the importance of clinical care with behavioral interventions to address the risks associated with sexual and substance using behaviors.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the latest research that demonstrates the link between treatment and prevention;
• Explain to clients the importance of early initiation of anti-retroviral treatment, viral load suppression and retention in care;
• Recall how co-morbidities such as HIV/HCV co-infection or HIV/syphilis co-infection can affect transmission and acquisition of HIV and other infectious diseases;
• Refer clients as needed to other intensive prevention interventions including group level interventions, condom distribution programs, partner services, syringe access and others; and
• Practice skills related to promoting prevention among clients living with HIV of all ages.

Prerequisite: None. It is strongly suggested that participants have attended basic training in HIV/AIDS.

Audience: Any health or human services provider or Peer Worker who works with clients living with HIV

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

Staying on Schedule: Tips for Taking Your HIV Medications (generic booklet):
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9236.pdf
Staying on Schedule: How to Take Each HIV Medication (drug-specific booklet):
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0203.pdf

This one-day training is designed to increase awareness of non-physician health and human services providers about HIV primary care guidelines, the HIV Treatment Cascade, health insurance options, and treatment adherence. Providers who are aware of HIV primary care guidelines and strategies for supporting treatment adherence can play an important role in improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• List the components of primary care for patients living with HIV
• Understand the HIV Treatment Cascade and how it informs their work
• Identify the key elements of the annual comprehensive physical exam for patients living with HIV
• Identify the routine laboratory screening and assessments used in primary care for people living with HIV, including methods used to assess and measure adherence
• Recall the different classes of HIV medications and briefly describe how they work
• Identify common barriers to treatment adherence, including medication side effects
• List three specific strategies for promoting treatment adherence
• Identify when referrals to specialty care may be needed
• Understand the health insurance assistance programs regarding the treatment and care of PLWHA
• Work as a member of the care team to:
  1. Help patients take advantage of health maintenance services, vaccination, and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections
  2. Conduct client assessments and make referrals for a variety of psychosocial issues including substance use, mental health, domestic violence, smoking cessation, etc.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.

Audience: All non-physician health and human services providers who work directly with people living with HIV including: case managers, counselors, nurses, support services providers, and others.

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

Staying on Schedule: Tips for Taking Your HIV Medications (generic booklet):  https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9236.pdf
Staying on Schedule: How to Take Each HIV Medication (drug-specific booklet):
https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0203.pdf
Managing Side Effects of HIV Medications (booklet): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9408.pdf
Side Effects of HIV Medications (stand-alone chart): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9412.pdf
Your Brother’s Care: Getting Help for HIV (booklet):  https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0215.pdf
Blood Work: A Complete Guide for Monitoring HIV (booklet): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9689.pdf

This on-line training video, and associated print materials, are designed to prepare public safety and EMS providers, AEMT, EMT-I, EMT-B and CFR/EMR, to administer naloxone using an intra-nasal applicator (mucosal atomizer device) in cases of suspected opioid overdose.   Drug overdose from opioids (such as heroin, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and others) is a significant problem in all areas of New York State.  Naloxone is a medication that safely reverses opioid overdose.

Basic Life Support providers are often the first to arrive at the scene of an overdose.  EMS and other first response public safety providers who are able to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and are trained to administer naloxone via nasal atomizer will be in a position to help save lives.

By viewing this training video, EMS providers will be able to:

• Recall the names of at least 3 different opioids
• Recognize signs and symptoms of overdose
• Assemble a mucosal atomizer device for administering Intra-nasal naloxone
• Implement opioid overdose prevention activities in accordance with NYS-approved policies and procedures

Audience: All EMS providers and Public Safety Personnel who are certified as prehospital care providers.

TO ACCESS THIS TRAINING:

You will be prompted to create a new account if you have not previously used this system.  Once you create your account and register for the course, you will receive an email with the link to the training video.  A training certificate verifying your completion of the video will be available within 24 hours in your account under “My Courses.” You must log back into the site and click on "My Courses" to retrieve the certificate.  Note: The training certificate is only available to those who have watched the entire video, through to the end. 

Additional Training Requirement: EMS providers and Public Safety Personnel who view the video must follow-up with an agency or regionally approved instructor to complete the skills practice portion of the training.

Safer Injecting and Wound Care

Description:  This one-day training will build participant knowledge and skills to work with clients around safer injection practices and complications associated with injecting. This course will provide an overview of the basic anatomy of veins and arteries; the supplies and equipment used to inject drugs; common injections practices; basic care for injection-related infections and wounds, and harm reduction strategies for working with substance users and people who inject drugs.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe wounds and infections commonly associated with injection drug use;
• List the risk considerations for different injection sites (arms, hands, neck or groin) and methods;
• Identify strategies to prevent injection related infections and injuries;
• Describe basic wound care, and “red flags” requiring medical attention;
• Recognize strengths of substance users that can be used to promote evidence-based practices and reduce infection and fatal incidence;
• Provide harm reduction counseling messages tailored to clients’ unique drug-using circumstances to more effectively engage PWIDs.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants complete the course, Harm Reduction Approach Overview (full day or webinar)  or have some experience with harm reduction services prior to attending this course.

Audience: All health and human service providers and Peer Workers 

This two-day training is designed to help health and human services providers promote sexual health among their clients by building their capacity to talk sensitively and non-judgmentally about sexual identity, gender identity and sexual behaviors. Topics to be covered during the training include: sexual and gender identity; strategies for talking with clients about sexual health issues; HIV/STD prevention and harm reduction strategies for sexual behaviors.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Increase their awareness about the range of sexual and gender identities of their clients;
• Describe how homophobia and other forms of stigma and discrimination can impact a client's sexual behaviors and ability to practice sexual risk reduction;
• Increase their comfort in discussing sexual and gender identity with clients;
• Describe how sexual trauma can impact a client's sexual behaviors and risk for HIV/STDs; and
• Offer clients harm reduction options for sexual behaviors.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.

Audience: Any health or human services provider or Peer Worker

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 13 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

Diseases That Can Be Spread During Sex (booklet): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/3805.pdf
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (NYSDOH web page) https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/std

Course Description:

This one-day training will provide details and insight around the role of support providers in addressing some of the unique sexual health concerns of older women living with HIV. The course will focus on strategies to respond to the needs of older women and advocate for improved health outcomes.  Specifically, this course will address: sexuality and sexual health of older women with HIV; menopause; sexual risk and decision making; and sexual trauma and its impact on sexual risk taking.

As a result of this one day training, participants will be able to:
• Discuss sexual health issues and needs with older women;
• Recall key New York State key clinical guidelines pertaining to HIV care for older women living with HIV;
• Identify strategies to address barriers to prevention, treatment, and care for older women living with HIV;
• Suggest approaches for older women to talk with their medical providers about their sexual health, sexual risk factors and behaviors;
• Describe mental health, lived trauma and psychosocial issues facing older women living with HIV.
Target Audience:
Non-physician health and human services providers who work with women living with HIV including case managers, social workers, client services staff and others

Pre-Requisite:    Recommended but not required to have attended HIV 101 or basic HIV Courses.                                                                                                             

This one-day training will explore the social factors that impact sexual and substance use behaviors among young men who have sex with men (MSM) of color. Health and human services providers will examine how these factors contribute to high rates of sexual and substance use risk behaviors among HIV positive and HIV negative MSM of color.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the range of diverse identities, lifestyles and cultures of young YMSM of color
• Identify the social stressors and other internal and external influences experienced by young YMSM of color including stigma, discrimination and internalized homophobia and how they can create conditions that impact risk-taking behavior
• Describe the components of sexual health for YMSM of color that impact health and sexual behaviors
• Discuss the influence of social media around risk-taking behaviors and sexual health messages
• Identify strategies for engaging YMSM of color into sexual health services and how engagement is impacted by the principles of participation, accessibility, and equity
• Practice communicating about key prevention strategies such as status disclosure, treatment adherence, strategic positioning, early identification and treatment of STIs and others.

Prerequisite: Prior attendance at the AIDS Institute training titled “Sex, Gender and HIV.”

Audience: This training is for any health or human services provider or Peer Worker who works with young people.

Continuing Education Credits:

This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:

RU + Take the Time. Take the Test. Take Charge: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9619.pdf

Your Brother’s Care: Getting Help for HIV (booklet): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0215.pdf

Transgender Health 102

Addressing Barriers to Care for Transgender People

This advanced one-day training will provide an overview of the role of the non-medical provider in addressing the barriers to accessing health care that transgender and gender non-conforming people routinely face. This course will address participants’ values, attitudes, and beliefs about transgender people, and review best practices for creating a welcoming and safe environment for transgender clients. It will also help participants to improve communication skills needed to effectively engage a wide range of transgender people who are at risk for, or living with, HIV, STIs and /or Hepatitis C (HCV).

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
• Define gender and sexuality terms, identities, and concepts used in transgender communities, including transitioning
• Identify personal values, attitudes and beliefs regarding transgender people
• Describe barriers to prevention, treatment, and care for transgender individuals and why they are disproportionately at risk for HIV, STIs, HCV and other health issues
• List at least three resiliencies (personal and social, modifiable and non-modifiable) that positively impact on health outcomes for transgender people
• State concrete steps their agencies can take to remove structural barriers to care for transgender people (including non-inclusive intake forms, registration processes and ways to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for transgender clients
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct a transgender-affirming risk assessment

Target Audience:
Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/ patients with HIV including case managers, home care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff and others

Pre-Requisite:
Must have attended “LGBT Cultural Competency” offered at www.hivtrainingny.org.

These 5 brief video segments feature faith leaders from many traditions. The purpose of these videos is to share information about how faith communities are addressing HIV prevention, support and care efforts with their congregations and communities. Below is the listing of the various video segments.

Video #1: Rev. Dr. James Forbes pastor of Riverside Church in Manhattan provides an historical overview of the HIV epidemic, including why and how faith community leaders have responded. (5:45 min) https://vimeo.com/61182199

Video #2: Faith community leaders from many traditions explain why they have moved to address HIV/AIDS in their congregations. (4:01 min) https://vimeo.com/61182200

Video # 3: Greek Orthodox monk, Fr. Jonathan Cossey shares his spiritual journey which includes dealing with stigma and discrimination after learning that he is living with HIV/AIDS. (5:45 min) https://vimeo.com/61182201

Video #4: African American and Latino faith leaders from different traditions provide a rich discussion of how faith communities can offer HIV prevention information, establish health ministries, facilitate HIV testing and help the community face HIV/AIDS in a mature and loving manner. (17 min) https://vimeo.com/61182203

Video #5: Venerable T.K. Nakagati describes two principle teachings of Buddhism, wisdom, and compassion, and discusses how to put these teachings to work in addressing HIV/AIDS. (5:49min) https://vimeo.com/61182206

These 5 brief video segments are the second half in Voices of Faith, featuring faith leaders from many traditions. The purpose of these videos is to share information about how faith communities are addressing HIV prevention, support and care efforts with their congregations and communities. Below is the listing of the various video segments.

Video #6: Reverend Robert Perelli talks about his many years at AIDS Family Services in Buffalo and provides insight about what it takes to compassionately "stand beside" people living with HIV and their families. https://vimeo.com/61186863

Video #7: Rabbis discuss the importance of providing HIV prevention information to their congregations, including and interview with Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Associate Rabbi at Beth Simchat Torah, NY's largest synagogue serving the Jewish gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. https://vimeo.com/61186861

Video #8:Three leaders in NY's Muslim community discuss how they have responded to HIV/AIDS. https://vimeo.com/61186864

Video #9: The Beautiful story of how AIDS Care Teams can provide compassionate and meaningful support to HIV/AIDS and their families. https://vimeo.com/61186860

Video #10:Faith community leaders from many traditions discuss how they find the resources they need to address HIV/AIDS prevention. https://vimeo.com/62870053

Video #11:Closing thoughts from several faith leaders and acknowledgement of all those who participated. https://vimeo.com/62870244

This webcast reviews the three pillars of New York's plan to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020 and describes the critical developments in medicine, program and community partnerships which have brought us to the point where the end of the epidemic is in sight.

The archived webcast is presented in seven easy to view segments. You may view them in order or select the segment you would like view.

Part 1: Executive Summary of New York State’s Plan to End the AIDS Epidemic:

Featuring AIDS Institute Director, Dan O’Connell, this segment provides an overview of how New York’s history of success addressing HIV/AIDS has placed our state in the position of establishing a realistic, achievable plan to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020.  9 minutes  https://vimeo.com/115345887

Part 2: HIV/AIDS - The History and The Future: Personal Reflections

Featuring Charles King, long time AIDS activist and Kalvin Leveille, co-chair of the Statewide AIDS Service Delivery Consortium Advisroy Group, this moving video provides a look back at the early days of the epidemic and outlines two community leaders’ perspectives on what it means to be working to end the epidemic.  11 minutes  https://vimeo.com/115346512

Part 3: Epidemiology

Lou Smith, MD, Director of the AIDS Institute’s Division of Epidemiology, Evaluation and Research provides an overview of the latest data regarding HIV/AIDS, including a review of the 2012 cascade of care and insights into where we must focus our prevention efforts to address trends in new infections.  12 minutes. https://vimeo.com/115347811

Part 4: Update on HIV Testing and Treatment

Antonio Urbina, MD, Director, Spencer Cox Center for Health describes advances in HIV treatment, updated clinical guidelines on when to initiate HIV treatment and the results of HIV Prevention Trials Network 052.  Johanne Morne, Director of the AIDS Institute’s Office of Planning and Community Affairs, provides information regarding the 2014 update to New York’s HIV testing law.  30 minutes https://vimeo.com/115348750

Part 5: Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV

Roberto Corrales, DO, Senior Director of HIV Medicine and Research at Trillium Health, provides an overview of the efficacy of PrEP and shares his experience as a clinical provider managing patients on PrEP.  18 minutes https://vimeo.com/115349537

Part 6: The Role of Community Based Organizations in Ending the AIDS Epidemic

Gabby Santos, Director of Health Services at In our Own Voices, (a community based organization serving LGBT people of color in Albany), and Mara San-Antonio Gaddy, Bureau Director in the AIDS Institute’s Division of HIV, STD, Hepatitis Prevention, will review how community organizations can play a critical role in the effort to end the epidemic   Resources to assist CBOs will be shared.  30 minutes https://vimeo.com/115350057

Part 7: Overview of New York's Ending the Epidemic Blueprint

This narrated powerpoint provides an overview of the recommendations outlined in the Ending the Epidemic Blueprint that was developed by the Ending the Epidemic Task Force, which was appointed by Governor Cuomo. The Blueprint provides a comprehensive and specfiic plan of recommendations to accomplish the goal of reducing new infections to fewer than 750 per year by 2020.  18 minutes http://www.hivtrainingny.org/Instant_Trainings/ETE_Overview_Blueprint/ETE_OverviewBlueprint.html

Hepatitis C Testing for People Born Between 1945 and 1965: Overview of New York State Law

In October of 2013, Governor Cuomo signed a public health law that requires primary care providers and certain health care settings to make a one-time offer of voluntary hepatitis C screening to all patients born between 1945 and 1965.  This law, which went into effect on January 1^st, 2014, is consistent with the CDC’s “Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection Among Persons Born During 1945-1965”.  The New York State law applies to 1) physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners providing primary care, 2) primary care services delivered in the outpatient department of a hospital or freestanding diagnostic and treatment center, and 3) in-patient hospital services.

This 40-minute webcast will:

1. Identify the clinical rationale for one-time routine voluntary screening for hepatitis C for all persons born between 1945 and 1965;
2. Describe the key provisions of the law including settings and providers impacted by the law;
3. Provide an overview of the new CDC hepatitis C testing algorithm;
4. Describe health care provider responsibility for reporting cases of acute and chronic hepatitis C;
5. Describe New York State resources for the care and treatment of persons with chronic Hepatitis C infection, and;
6. Provide answers to frequently asked questions, including: exceptions to the law, issues related to reimbursement for testing, patient consent, and others.

Who Should View this Webcast

The intended audience for the webinar includes those health care providers and health care settings impacted by the law including:

• Physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners providing primary care
• Outpatient departments of a hospital offering primary care
• Freestanding diagnostic and treatment centers offering primary care
• In-patient hospital programs

Webcast Sponsored by the New York State Department of Health

This one-hour webcast will assist program managers and supervisors in planning for the implementation of a Hepatitis C screening program using the new FDA approved OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test. It will review the potential benefits of HCV rapid testing in a community setting, provide a brief overview of the rapid test device and outline the key elements required in a program’s policies and procedures.

By the end of this webcast, participants will be to:

• Describe the importance of increasing the number of individuals aware of their Hepatitis C (HCV) infection status;
• Recall key features of the FDA-approved, CLIA-waived HCV rapid test device;
• List requirements for implementing HCV rapid screening in a community-based site; and
• Determine if they are eligible to receive free HCV rapid test kits from the NYSDOH.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: This webinar is intended for program managers and supervisors planning to expand services to include Hepatitis C rapid screening.

**PLEASE NOTE: **Individuals intending to conduct rapid Hepatitis C screening are strongly encourages to enroll in the one-day Integrating screening for HCV and HIV in-person course.

This two-hour webinar will provide an overview of the female condom and describe the role service providers’ play in promoting its use. The female condom is the only female-initiated, physical barrier methods currently available, and as such is an important tool when exploring safer sex options.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

· Identify the major findings from the New York State Female Condom Research Project

· Identify values and attitudes that impact provider ability to effectively promote the female condom

· Identify the advantages of female condom use and describe ways to motivate client interest and use.

· Identify and address common barriers to female condom use as related to insertion difficulties and problems with use during sex.

· Discuss strategies for clients to negotiate female condom use with partners.

Prerequisite: Additional trainings are not required to attend this webinar. Participants are encouraged to share their client experiences and strategies in offering the female condom to clients throughout the webinar.

Target Audience: All health and human service providers that provide risk reduction counseling.

This two-hour webinar is designed to explore the broad definition of culture and its relationship to competent and effective health care and human service delivery.

As a result of training participants will be able to:

• Define Culture and Cross Cultural Communication;
• Describe the difference between generalizations and stereotypes;
• Explore potential obstacles to providing effective services; and
• Describe how these obstacles are created when diverse cultures, Western medicine and human service deliveries collide.

   

Prerequisite: None

Audience: All health and human service providers.

This two-hour webinar will provide participants with an introduction to basic philosophy and practices of HIV/STI/HCV harm reduction with regards to substance use and sexual risk behavior.  The webinar will provide an opportunity to reflect on your values and attitudes regarding harm reduction, as well as learn specific harm reduction strategies.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define harm reduction as it is used in HIV/STI/HCV prevention;
2. List at least three elements of the harm reduction model;
3. Identify at least three attitudes they have about using a harm reduction approach;
4. Identify at least three examples of harm reduction options for substance use behaviors and sexual behaviors;
5. Identify negotiated safety techniques for injection risk reduction and sexual risk reduction

Prerequisite: None

Audience: All non-physician health and human services providers; peer educators; and anyone in the general public with an interest in HIV/AIDS.

This two hour webinar is for health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV and who need updated information about HIV/HCV co-infection in order to provide effective services to their clients. More than 25% of people living with HIV in the United States are co-infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among people who acquired HIV as a result of injection drug use, the rates of HIV/HCV co-infection may be as high as 90%. HCV screening is recommended for all persons living with HIV.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall basic information about the liver and hepatitis C, including transmission, prevention, course of illness, screening and treatment;
• Counsel their HIV positive client about the importance of knowing their HCV status;
• Describe how co-infection with HIV and HCV affects the progression of each disease;
• Recall current trends and improvements in treatment for people who are co-infected with HIV and HCV; and
• List at least three additional service needs of people with HIV who are also co-infected with HCV.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV/AIDS.

Audience: All health and human service providers.

This two-hour webinar is designed to help non-clinical health and human service providers gain a basic understanding of common STIs to support their HIV/STI/VH prevention work. The training will review the similarities and differences in transmission, screening & testing, treatment, complications and prevention.  

Objectives - By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe STI morbidity in New York State
2. Describe the transmission, symptoms & complications of common STIs
3. Describe the inter-relationship of HIV & other STDs

Prerequisite:  There is no prerequisite for this training.  This training is intended for individuals who have not had prior training in STIs (or desire a review).

Audience:  This course is appropriate for non-clinical staff of health and human service provider organizations.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:
Diseases That Can Be Spread During Sex (booklet): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/3805.pdf
STD and HIV Facts (brochure): https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/9111.pdf
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (NYSDOH web page) https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/std

This two-hour webinar is designed to help non-clinical health and human service providers gain a basic understanding of syphilis to support their HIV/STI/VH prevention work. The training will review the epidemiology, transmission, screening & testing, treatment, complications, and prevention. 

Objectives - By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe syphilis morbidity in New York State
2. Describe the transmission, symptoms & complications of syphilis
3. Describe the key syphilis prevention messages 

Prerequisite:  There is no prerequisite for this training.  This training is intended for individuals who have not had prior training in syphilis (or desire a review).

Audience:  This course is appropriate for non-clinical staff of health and human service provider organizations.

Related Consumer Educational Materials:  NYSDoH Syphilis Fact Sheet for Non-Clinical Providers;   NYSDoH, September 3, 2015 - Syphilis Website Alert Language

This 2 -hour webinar will describe the role of non-clinical health and human services providers in supporting clients living with chronic Hepatitis C as they consider starting hepatitis C treatment. Participants will become familiar with current guidelines regarding populations prioritized for treatment, issues relating to treatment access, and patient assistance resources.

 Objectives: By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Describe the recent progress in treatment options for patients living with hepatitis C (shorter duration, fewer side effects, better health outcomes)
• Describe the importance of engaging in primary care, regardless of the clients intent to undergo treatment
• Identify strategies to support clients as they prepare for and engage in HCV treatment
• Define sustained virologic response (SVR)
• Discuss strategies to address the risk of reinfection with clients who achieve SVR

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended participants have some knowledge or basic training on hepatitis C.

Audience: All health and human service providers.

The AIDS Institute is pleased to announce a webinar series designed to engage a wide range of health and human services providers and consumers in discussing how they can take action in their communities to implement the recommendations outlined in the 2015 Blueprint For Achieving the Goals Set Forth by Governor Cuomo to End the Epidemic in New York State by the end of 2020.

This goals of this webinar series are to:

1. Engage stakeholders in discussions about their role in implementing the Blueprint.
2. Bring attention to recommendations in the plan related to specific vulnerable populations.
3. Share innovative strategies for HIV prevention, testing and linkage/retention in care.

This session will explore the following questions:

• What are the ETE recommendations for the Criminal Justice System?
• How can we improve testing, prevention and linkage to care for people who interact with the criminal justice system?

The AIDS Institute is pleased to announce a webinar series designed to engage a wide range of health and human services providers and consumers in discussing how they can take action in their communities to implement the recommendations outlined in the 2015 Blueprint For Achieving the Goals Set Forth by Governor Cuomo to End the Epidemic in New York State by the end of 2020.
 
This goals of this webinar series are to:
1. Engage stakeholders in discussions about their role in implementing the Blueprint.
2. Bring attention to recommendations in the plan related to specific vulnerable populations.
3. Share innovative strategies for HIV prevention, testing and linkage/retention in care.
 

Topics to be addressed during this webinar include: 

• Why is creating employment opportunities considered an important part of the plan to end the epidemic?
• What programs exist to help people with HIV transition to work?
• How might employment impact health, housing and other benefits?

The AIDS Institute is pleased to announce a webinar series designed to engage a wide range of health and human services providers and consumers in discussing how they can take action in their communities to implement the recommendations outlined in the 2015 Blueprint For Achieving the Goals Set Forth by Governor Cuomo to End the Epidemic in New York State by the end of 2020.
 
This goals of this webinar series are to:
1. Engage stakeholders in discussions about their role in implementing the Blueprint.
2. Bring attention to recommendations in the plan related to specific vulnerable populations.
3. Share innovative strategies for HIV prevention, testing and linkage/retention in care.
 

Specific topics to be addressed during this webinar include:

• What are the unique clinical and counseling considerations for women?
• What steps do clinical settings need to take to be prepared?
• How can we ensure that women who can benefit from PrEP and PEP learn about these interventions?

This 90-minute webinar will review the important role that program directors and supervisors should play in the development and implementation of peer-delivered services with a focus on policies and procedures for hiring and supervising peer workers.  Topics to be reviewed include integration of peers into multidisciplinary teams, best practices for supervising and coaching peer workers and strategies to support the development of Peer Worker skills and competencies.

Objectives:

By the end of this webinar, program directors and supervisors will be able to:

• Review Peer Worker contributions and effectiveness in improving patient health outcomes
• Recall NYS AIDS Institute Peer Worker areas of work, core competencies  and identify the unique role of Peer Workers on the care team
• Identify important roles for program directors and supervisors during the Peer Worker practicum which is required for certification and in managing Certified Peer Workers
• Examine the transition period from practicum to employed Certified Peer Worker.

Target Audience:  Program Directors and Supervisors

Course Description: The use of written materials is an important component of effective patient education. Although the average adult in the United States reads at an eighth-grade level, most patient materials, including educational materials, registration forms, informed consent forms, or patient letters are written on a high-school or college reading level.  This 2 hour webinar will teach participants about what constitutes a health literate material and will build skills that enable participants to identify and create health literate patient materials. At completion of this webinar, participants will be able to assess and re-design their organization’s health materials.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
• List the elements that constitute a health literate material
• Develop skills to analyze and assess various health materials
• Learn about the role of meta-messages in health materials
• Identify available material evaluation tools and resources
 

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this training.  

Target Audience:  This webinar is intended for staff who prepare written materials such as brochures, patient communications, etc.

This one-hour archived webinar which originally aired in December 2013 is from the webinar series: New Developments in HIV Clinical Guidelines: What Non-Clinicians Should Know to Improve Patient Care and Coordination.

Guest Presenter: Barry S. Zingman, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, AIDS Center

The New Developments in Clinical Guidelines series explores the latest HIV clinical guidelines with an emphasis on the specific knowledge that non-clinical providers should have, and the actions they can undertake, to support positive health outcomes for clients. Each webinar features an engaging discussion with a leading physician who served on the NYS DOH AI Clinical Guidelines Committee that developed the clinical guideline.

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the specific guideline and information that non-clinical providers should know to help improve daily work, and
• Identify the actions that a provider can undertake to support their clients’ positive health outcomes.

Target Audience: Non-physician health and human services providers including case managers, care managers, patient navigators, outreach workers, and others.

The AIDS Institute is pleased to announce a webinar series designed to engage a wide range of health and human services providers and consumers in discussing how they can take action in their communities to implement the recommendations outlined in the 2015 Blueprint For Achieving the Goals Set Forth by Governor Cuomo to End the Epidemic in New York State by the end of 2020.
 
This goals of this webinar series are to:
1. Engage stakeholders in discussions about their role in implementing the Blueprint.
2. Bring attention to recommendations in the plan related to specific vulnerable populations.
3. Share innovative strategies for HIV prevention, testing and linkage/retention in care.
 

Specific topics to be addressed during this webinar will include:

• What are the ETE recommendations related to older people?
• How can we improve, testing, prevention and linkage for care services for older adults?

This is Part I of a four part webinar series-now available as an archived webinar, which is

designed to explore critical issues about working with older adults living with HIV. The series will also provide ways to build provider knowledge, awareness and skills for addressing these issues with clients.

This is a two-hour webinar is designed to provide information about the impact of comorbid physical and mental health conditions among those aging with HIV. This information will then be related to the care needs of this population with a focus on retaining older adults in care.

As a result of the webinar participants will:

• Recall NY State epidemiology regarding HIV over age 50;
• State the most prevalent co-occurring illnesses among adults over 50 with HIV;
• Identify strategies that providers can use to address clinical issues for adults 50 and older with HIV; and
• Recall the application of provider techniques for retaining HIV patients 50 and older in care.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/patients with HIV including case managers, social workers, client services staff and others.

 

Previously a Webinar now available as an archived webinar.

This is Part IV, the last webinar of the series designed to explore critical issues about working with older adults living with HIV. The series will also provide ways to build provider knowledge, awareness and skills for addressing these issues with clients.

This two-hour webinar is designed to provide an overview of sexual activity among older adults and the need for effective HIV and STI prevention targeting this population. Data on the sexual activity and function of older adults will be provided.

As a result of the webinar participants will:

• Describe the sexual activity and sexual function of older adults;
• Recall the need for prevention messages that target the older adult population;
• Describe how prevention message burnout and the lack of age-appropriate messaging interferes with prevention campaigns targeting older adults; and
• Identify strategies that providers can use to reduces sexual risk and improve the sexual health of older adults.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/patients with HIV including case managers, social workers, client services staff and others.

 

This is Part III of a four part webinar series- now available as an archived webinar, which is designed to explore critical issues about working with older adults living with HIV. The series will also provide ways to build provider knowledge, awareness and skills for addressing these issues with clients.

This two-hour webinar is designed to provide an overview of the extent of social isolation and the lack of social support resources faced by many older adults with HIV. Given the health challenges faced by this population, it is important that we anticipate and plan for the future caregiving and support needs of this group.

As a result of the webinar participants will be able to:

• Recall how the high degree of social isolation among older adults with HIV;
• Explain how isolation is related to a paucity of social support resources as well as poorer psychosocial functioning re: depression and perceived stigma;
• Identify how isolation along with mental health and stigma issues negatively affects treatment outcomes and caregiving supports; and
• Identify strategies that can meet the socialization and caregiving needs of this population

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/patients with HIV including case managers, social workers, client services staff and others.



 

This is Part II of a four part webinar series-now available as an archived webinar, which is designed to explore critical issues about working with older adults living with HIV. The series will also provide ways to build provider knowledge, awareness and skills for addressing these issues with clients.

This two-hour webinar is designed to provide information about the impact of mental health needs among those aging with HIV with a focus on the high rates of depression as well as past and current substance use.

As a result of the webinar participants will:

• Recall the burden of depression among older adults with HIV;
• Describe the current and lifetime patterns of alcohol and drug use adults over 50 with HIV;
• Describe how mental health and substance use can interfere with clinical outcomes and impact broad domains in the lives of older adults with HIV; and
• Identify strategies that can address mental health/substance use issues in this population.

Prerequisite: None

Audience: Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/patients with HIV including case managers, social workers, client services staff and others.

This one-hour archived webinar is from the second edition of the series: 2014 New Developments in HIV Clinical Guidelines: What Non-Clinicians Should Know to Improve Patient Care and Coordination.

This series will explore the latest HIV clinical guidelines with an emphasis on the specific knowledge that non-clinical providers should have and the actions they can undertake, to support positive health outcomes for clients.

Each monthly webinar features an engaging discussion with a leading physician who served on the NYS DOH Aids Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee that developed the clinical guideline.

May 2014 Topic: PrEP Guidance
Guest Presenter:
Demetre C Daskalakis, MD
Medical Director of Ambulatory HIV Services at Mount Sinai Comprehensive Health Program-Downtown

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the specific guideline and information that non-clinical providers should know to help improve daily work, and
• Identify the actions that a provider can undertake to support their clients’ positive health outcomes.

Target Audience: Non-physician health and human services providers including case managers, care managers, patient navigators, outreach workers, and others.