Beginning in 2005, state and county STD programs receiving funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of STD Prevention were required to report on a set of STD programmatic performance measures, including the proportion of female juveniles screened for chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in juvenile detention facilities. Improving this outcome is challenging due to the fact that many STD programs may not have previously developed relationships with these institutions and the institutions often do not have the resources to support CT screening of all at-risk youth. This measure encourages STD programs to work proactively with the staff in juvenile justice centers to increase their awareness of CT prevalence and the need for CT screening and prevention programs in this population. California's experience in implementing chlamydia screening programs in 22 county juvenile halls demonstrates screening and treatment within these settings, regardless of size, hours of medical coverage or provider, is feasible and sustainable.

Purpose:

1) To assist STD program managers and/or their staff in learning about creating these relationships

2) Developing strategies, methods, and tools to implement or enhance CT screening and treatment programs across diverse county juvenile justice systems and staff.

Methods (instructional approach):

Approaches used in implementing program as well as screening and treatment rates will be shared. Lists of specific barriers encountered and the remedies for those barriers will be shared and discussed. A portion of the workshop time will be spend discussing two specific models: 1) a public health/probation model where medical services are provided by an outside contractor which will include quality assurance tools that have been employed; and 2) a model that shifted from a public health staff intensive approach to a systematized probation approach to screening and the tools required to ensure sustainability.