Best Practices for Engaging CHCs

Effective Methods to Engage Community Health Centers To Integrate HIV Care and Treatment Services 1. Provide a clear description of project methodology, goals, objectives, activities, and amount of time required from CHC staff to fully participate in order to get buy-in from CHC leadership 2. Quantify to CHCs the need for HIV services in their communities 3. Understand the environment (political, socioeconomic, demographic) both within the CHC and in the communities they serve in order to provide CBA relevant to the jurisdictions they operate in 4. Hit the ground running. Clearly communicate each step in the CBA process (assessment, training, and evaluation) clearly and in a time-frame that fits the schedule of busy providers 5. Facilitate regular communication between project and CHC staff to develop a strong working relationship, discuss/monitor overall project progress, and address barriers to participation and propose solutions 6. Promote an interdisciplinary team approach within each CHC to build staff buy-in.

7. Actively collaborate with the CHC through the assessment process and training plan development to assure mutually agreed upon capacity level and goals for CBA. Treat CHC team as partners, not trainees 8. Make sure training plan is realistic and achievable within the time frame of engagement to avoid overwhelming or discouraging them 9. Develop easy to use, interactive tools for engagement 10. Conduct in-person visits to CHCs to develop relationships and show commitment to building their capacity 11. Provide a tangible cost-benefit for CHCs to engage in an environment where resources and time are limited and CHCs operate using a business model 12. Be patient and cognizant of competing priorities 13. After engagement is complete, identify other local/national resources and communicate goals/next steps to them to ensure continuity of CBA and avoid duplication of activities already conducted in order to keep CHCs moving forward with HIV integration