Funding/Sustainability

Implementation of school-based STD screening is often financially challenging. Obtaining data is the first step to cultivating support for school-based initiatives, and can generate opportunities for program enhancement. Identifying creative means of generating support for screening initiatives results in improved sustainability and project scope. Many school-based initiatives begin as small demonstration projects (Philadelphia, NYC). Philadelphia's program has become institutionalized and self-sustaining. Baltimore and NYC have support for school-based interventions included in their operating structure. Several projects including IHS and New Orleans have partnered with test manufacturers to facilitate school interventions.