STI/HIV Prevention Program

Capacity Building Unit

The Capacity Building Unit (CBU) seeks to develop, implement, and support quality STI/HIV prevention programs designed to change behaviors that will result in reduced transmission of STIs and HIV. Prevention initiatives include: counseling and testing, community outreach, and individual, group, and community level interventions. The program supports community mobilization projects for demonstrably impacted and underserved communities.

Responsibilities are met through technical assistance, capacity building, training, monitoring and evaluation, and contractual support and oversight. The program also delivers comprehensive training (partner notification/counseling) to a national audience of health professionals.

History

For decades, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has delivered services and provided resources to prevent and control sexually transmitted infections. In 1988, the Colorado Legislature charged the Department with additional mandates in regard to HIV: to provide public information, risk-reduction education, confidential voluntary testing and counseling, educational materials for use in schools, and professional education to health care professionals (CRS 25-4-1405).

In addition to these legal mandates, the Department has been guided by broad-based community planning groups. The Department has partnered with these groups and together continue to advocate for scientifically sound, appropriately targeted STI and HIV prevention strategies tailored for local needs.

Early on, the Department's STI/HIV Section recognized that these mandates could only be accomplished with strong community partnership. Through ongoing funding, our Capacity Building Unit has partnered with a variety of community organizations, governmental agencies, and private providers of STI and HIV prevention services.

The Capacity Building Unit has also provided training, technical assistance, consulting, and other capacity building assistance to encourage state-of-the-art prevention services for Colorado's diverse communities.

Attention: HIV Prevention Generalist certification no longer offered.

Please go to www.peopleware.net/1885b for a calendar of upcoming courses, a description of course content, and online registration.