Background:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), collaboration efforts between health departments and community-based organizations are imperative in order to provide effective and efficient HIV prevention and care services to HIV affected and infected populations.
National AIDS & Education Services for Minorities (NAESM) and the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness Communicable Disease Prevention Branch (FCDHW), teamed up to provide improved HIV/STD prevention, care, and treatment services. The purpose of the collaboration is threefold:
·To increase client access to HIV/STD prevention and treatment services
·To improve the community's perception of the Health Department
·To narrow the gaps between HIV and STD services


Objective:

·To provide accessible and timely client centered counseling, screening, and treatment services in high morbidity areas.
·To provide preventive case management
·To collaborate with the (FCDHW) Communicable Disease Prevention Branch (CDPB) for partner notification services, STD screening, and HIV primary care.


Method:
In 2003,NAESM and FCDHW recognized common barriers in providing HIV/STD related services to African American men who have sex with men. The two agencies implemented agency referrals to link HIV negative clients to STD services. HIV positive clients were enrolled in Primary Care and offered partner notification services.


Result:
Approximately 85 people were referred from March 2003-March 2004. 34 HIV positive clients enrolled into HIV Primary Care, 27 HIV negative clients were screened for STDs. 12 HIV positive clients were referred to other health districts, 5 clients were unable to locate, 5 clients were screened for syphilis only, and 2 clients refused services.


Conclusion:
Agency collaboration between community based organizations and health departments is essential to increasing access to care among at risk clients.



Implications:
Collaborative efforts are needed to service this population