Introduction

CARE Act grantees and planning bodies can obtain technical assistance (TA) from the HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). Assistance focuses on implementing CARE Act requirements in order to improve health care access and quality of life for persons living with HIV disease (PLWH). TA is defined by HRSA/HAB as identifying needs and delivering program and technical support to the CARE Act community for their planning and primary care service delivery systems.

Legislative Background  TOP

CARE Act provisions related to Title II training and technical assistance are as follows:

Section 2603 (a)(3)(D)(iii) requires the Secretary to “reserve amounts to make grants and provide technical assistance to States and eligible areas with respect to obtaining data on cases of HIV disease to ensure that data on such cases is available from all States and eligible areas as soon as is practicable but not later than the beginning of fiscal year 2007.”

Section 2619 requires the Secretary to “provide technical assistance in administering and coordinating the activities authorized under section 2612 [the Title II grant], including technical assistance for the development and implementation of statewide coordinated statements of need.”

HRSA/HAB Technical Assistance  TOP

Purpose and TA Topics

TA assists programs. It is not intended to do the actual work of the grantee or planning council. TA priorities include:

• Legislative/program requirements (e.g., planning, needs assessment, consumer involvement)
• Treatment and adherence
• Capacity development
• Access to care for underserved individuals
• Outcomes evaluation
• Data collection
• Health care delivery/managed care, and
• Identification of best practices.

Other priorities are identified in response to evolving needs. Examples of TA topics include:

• Access to care
• Adolescent development
• Case management
• Comprehensive planning
• Conflict of interest
• Cultural competence
• Evaluation and outcome measures
• Fiscal/program management
• Grievance procedures
• Managed care
• Management information systems
• Needs assessment
• Planning council/consortium development
• PLWH participation
• Primary care
• Quality management programs
• Treatment guidelines, and
• Unit cost development.

How TA is Provided  TOP

TA and training activities to support CARE Act programs are directed by HAB’s Division of Training and Technical Assistance (DTTA). They include on-site TA, written TA products (e.g., manuals, reports), and special initiatives (e.g., conferences, conference calls). TA is delivered through the following channels:

• HRSA/HAB Project Officers. In day-to-day interaction with grantees, project officers assess TA needs and respond accordingly. Project officers can either provide direct TA to grantees and planning bodies (such as training sessions or site visits) or serve as the contact point in securing TA to address their needs. 
  
• Technical Assistance Contract (TAC). The TAC is a project used by HAB to provide an array of TA services to CARE Act grantees and planning bodies. Project officers, peers, and other professional consultants provide TA via on-site consultation, written TA products, and other TA efforts such as the HAB E-Mail newsletter, teleconferences, and meetings.
  
  On-site TA is provided by peers (individuals who currently work in CARE Act-funded programs or are members of planning bodies) and other professional consultants. The nature of the TA request determines the type of consultant. The TAC maintains a roster of consultants to work directly with grantees. Timelines and benchmarks are used to monitor each on-site TA project.
  
  TA products available to grantees/planning bodies include manuals/TA guides, conference calls and follow-up call reports, and special projects. TA product ideas are identified through ongoing feedback (e.g., national conference evaluations, project officer input, evaluation of on-site TA). The TAC develops TA products with input from HRSA/HAB staff, grantee representatives, PLWH, and consultants.
  
• Consultation Meetings. These meetings cover such topics as how to address legislative requirements, grants administration, and development of strategies for enhancing care delivery. Meetings bring together grantees, providers, representatives of professional and political organizations, and advocacy groups.
  
• AIDS Education and Training Centers. AETCs focus on provider training through regional and national resource centers.
  
• Cooperative Agreements. Through contracts with HAB, national HIV/AIDS organizations provide an avenue for HIV information exchange including broader dissemination of HAB program goals and products. These organizations also produce TA documents and assist with training on selected HIV care access issues.
  
• Special Initiatives. These efforts include national meetings with all CARE Act grantees and in-depth exploration of care topics such as quality of programs and care, assessment of unmet need, palliative care, and the prevention/care interface.
  
• Interagency Agreements. These partnerships promote Federal TA coordination across the fields of prevention, substance abuse, and mental health, among others.

Evaluation of TA  TOP

HAB evaluates TA against measurable outcomes and objectives. Evaluation examines grantee satisfaction with the TA and systems change that occurs because of the TA. Evaluation is conducted during and immediately after the delivery of TA and approximately six months after it has concluded. This includes written and telephone-interview follow up.

How to Obtain TA  TOP

To obtain more information about TA, contact your HAB project officer or call DTTA at 301-443-9091. TA products can be accessed from the TA Library. You can also order copies of HRSA/HAB documents by calling the HRSA Information Center at 888-ASK-HRSA.