Build Your Professional Capacity

Realize Resources serves as the primary training vendor of courses sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Health - Office of HIV/AIDS. We offer a series of workshops to help entering and seasoned HIV service providers gain the requisite information, skills and practice to provide accurate, up-to-date information using a client-centered harm reductionist framework. Participants for these workshops are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with priority to Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) funded providers.

For registration information, please visit our online registration system. Please call Sarah Prager at (617) 988-2605, extension 2302 or e-mail sprager@jri.org for more information on the current status of these trainings.

Realize Resources can also directly provide your organization with any of the listed courses, which we can customize to meet your specific needs. If you are interested in scheduling any of these workshops at your organization, please call Lynley Rappaport at (617) 988-2605, extension 2304 or e-mail lrappaport@jri.org.

Course Descriptions:

HIV CASE MANAGEMENT: CORE STANDARDS AND PRACTICE

This two-day training module serves as the fourth and final required module of the HIV Case Management training. It provides participants with information regarding the Office of HIV/AIDS goals as well as expectations and requirements regarding the delivery of HIV case management services. This includes standards of practice jointly developed with the Boston Public Health Commission, case management goals, functions, tasks, communication, and referral skills. 

RAPID HIV TESTING USING ORAQUICK OR UNIGOLD

 

Participants are divided into two groups depending on which test device is being utilized in their funded programs (OraQuick or UniGold).  The first group attends a morning session while the second group attends an afternoon session.  Each session provides practical instruction and practice in setting up a safe, lab-like environment for testing, running controls, implementing other quality assurance and safety measures, procuring specimens, running tests, and interpreting results.  
 
This module requires participants to practice procuring whole blood samples from each other via a lancet finger-prick.  These samples will not be used for running tests, but to practice finger sticks and specimen collection practices.  However, anonymous attenuated and live HIV samples will be used for running external controls, running blinded “patient” specimens, and to practice interpreting the results.  Participants will be required to comply with all safety protocols and universal precautions, including the use of gloves and goggles (provided).  Protective workspace covers, sharps containers, biohazard bags, etc. will also be provided.
HIV SUPERVISORY SKILLS

This two-day training reviews key roles and responsibilities of clinical and administrative supervisors, including recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and training and orientation. Participants learn how to conduct observations, set boundaries, manage conflict, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development of staff. 

POSITIVE PREVENTION IN PRACTICE
March 6, 2012

This one-day training module serves as the third required module of the HIV Case Management training. It is also an independent module required for all other MDPH-funded service providers. It offers participants a working understanding of a positive prevention framework including core components, interventions, and practical applications across HIV service systems. Participants learn about the impact of stigma, disclosure issues, substance use, and other co-factors that impact on risk and overall health of people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants practice including positive prevention messaging into their service delivery modalities. 

CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE FIELD WORK: FROM ENGAGEMENT TO ACTION
March 20, 2012 - March 22, 2012

This two-day module provides participants with strategies for developing and sustaining working relationships with members of priority populations and the communities in which field work takes place, practicing specific job-related skills such as recruiting clients for interventions, conducting risk assessments, distributing safety supplies, and making supported referrals. Participants will also explore ways in which to manage a variety of challenging situations that they may encounter while working in the field.

HIV COUNSELING & TESTING: CORE STANDARDS AND PRACTICE
March 26, 2012 - March 27, 2012

This two-day training module serves as the third required module of the HIV Counseling and Testing training. Participants offering rapid testing training will be required to attend the additional half-day Rapid Testing module.This module provides participants with information about the Office of HIV/AIDS goals as well as expectations and requirements regarding the delivery of HIV counseling and testing services. This includes informed consent, testing options, pre- and post-test protocols, data requirements (limited discussion), and core counseling skills. 

FUNDAMENTALS OF HIV, STIs, AND HEPATITIS
April 24, 2012 - April 25, 2012

This two-day training module serves as the first required module of the HIV Counseling and Testing, HIV Case Management, and Field Work trainings. It is also a prerequisite for Behavioral Risk Assessment and Positive Prevention. This training module provides participants with basic and updated information about HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and viral hepatitis. It includes a review of basic information about transmission and the risk factors associated with sexual and substance use behaviors. Participants are introduced to basic prevention strategies and given a framework for evaluating risk. Participants explore the relationships between HIV, hepatitis, and STIs. 

BEHAVIORAL RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK REDUCTION: CORE STANDARDS AND PRACTICE
May 14, 2012 - May 15, 2012

This two-day training module serves as the second required module of the HIV Counseling and Testing, HIV Case Management, and Field Work trainings. It is also a prerequisite for Positive Prevention. This training provides participants with information and an opportunity to enhance skills in conducting a behavioral risk assessment within a harm reduction framework. This includes the goals, process, and core components of a behavioral risk assessment; an introduction to a brief behavioral and health risk assessment tool; how to develop risk reduction plans; and a demonstration of the active referral process for HIV, STIs, hepatitis, substance abuse, and mental health.