Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113787

Robin Kelley, PhD and E. Wilkerson, MPH. American Psychological Association, BSSV/Office on AIDS, 750 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20002, 202-218-3993, rkelley@apa.org

Issue: Community-based HIV prevention service providers have struggled to adopt science-based strategies of needs assessment, and evaluation. Moreover, evidence- based findings of effective interventions published and peer-reviewed by social and behavioral scientists, often remains un accessible to community-based providers.

Project: The Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer (BSSV) Program is a national HIV prevention technical assistance program directed by the American Psychological Association (APA) Office on AIDS. The BSSV Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through a subcontract with the ORC/Macro assists in HIV prevention efforts through the following: (1) Recruiting qualified behavioral and social scientists from several disciplines (2) Orienting behavioral and social (3) Linking behavioral and social scientists with in their respective communities (4) Coaching behavioral and social scientists in evidenced-based interventions.

Results: The BSSV Program has recruited and trained over 200 volunteers who have provided technical assistance to over 200 community-based organizations, planning groups, and health departments involved with HIV prevention. The types of technical assistance offered include: using behavioral and social theory to guide intervention development, defining goals and clarifying objectives, identifying elements of effective interventions, assisting with needs assessments, adopting and adapting proven interventions to new settings and new populations, evaluations and writing grant proposals. Lessons Learned:We will discuss the most requested types of technical assistance and the reasons why. We will also describe the lessons learned about recruiting, training, and linking volunteers with CBOs, CPGs, and health departments requesting technical assistance related to the application of behavioral and social science.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• describe at least one way that the Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer(BSSV) Program assists with HIV/AIDS prevention;
• List at least two ways that the BSSV Program can identify agencies with which to partner;
• Define three steps in the "Anatomy of a Linkage."

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation