Regional Training Center

As many as 75% of people with viral hepatitis are unaware of their infection. In order to end the viral hepatitis epidemic, increased knowledge is needed among health and human service professionals. This 90-minute webinar will prepare non-physician health and human services providers and peer workers with the epidemiology, modes of transmission, prevention techniques, and treatment of hepatitis A, B, and C.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, modes of transmission, prevention techniques, and treatment of hepatitis A
• Describe the epidemiology, modes of transmission, prevention techniques, and treatment of hepatitis B
• Describe the epidemiology, modes of transmission, prevention techniques, and treatment of hepatitis C
• Discuss efforts at the national, state, and local levels to end the viral hepatitis epidemic

Target audience

Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/ patients at risk for HIV or STIs including prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, peer workers, case managers, care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff, and others.

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Friday, January 17, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This four-hour training will help participants identify good practices for conducting screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) in a client-centered, affirming manner. Participants will learn about available screening tools, including a standardized AIDS Institute SDOH screening tool. The training will share strategies for explaining the importance of SDOH screening to clients, engaging them in determining their own priorities, and good practices for making referrals to other resources and services to address unmet needs.

As a result of this training, non-physician health, and human service providers will be able to:

• Explain to clients the importance of screening for Social Determinants of Health.
• Identify best practices for conducting Social Determinants of Health screening in a client-centered, affirming manner.
• Conduct Social Determinants of Health screening in a manner that builds trust and rapport.
• Engage the client in the process of prioritizing and addressing unmet needs.
  Identify best practices for connecting clients to resources and services to address their unmet needs.

Target audience

Non-physician health and human service providers who work with clients/patients who are living with, or are at risk for, HIV, HCV, or STIs, are LGBT/GNC, or who use substances, including social workers, nurses, care coordinators, case managers, peer workers, prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, client services staff, and others.

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No trainings currently scheduled.

This two-part webinar series is designed to explore the broad definition of culture and cultural humility and its relationship to competent and effective health care and human service delivery.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define Culture, Humility, Structural Competency, Implicit Bias, Microaggressions, and Health Inequities.
• Describe the difference between generalizations and stereotypes.
• Describe how privilege and social determinants of health impact healthcare delivery.
• Explore potential obstacles to providing effective services.
• Recognize how culture will influence the patient's acquisition of services and the provider’s delivery of service.

Target audience

All health and human services providers who work with clients/ patients at risk for HIV or STIs including prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, peer workers, case managers, care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff, and others

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Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This two-hour webinar will describe the role of non-clinical health and human services providers in supporting clients living with chronic hepatitis C as they consider starting hepatitis C treatment. Participants will become familiar with current guidelines regarding treatment, issues relating to treatment access, and patient assistance resources.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the recent progress in treatment options for patients living with hepatitis C (shorter duration, fewer side effects, better health outcomes).
• Describe the importance of engaging in primary care, regardless of the client's intent to undergo treatment.
• Identify strategies to support clients as they prepare for and engage in HCV treatment
  Define sustained virologic response (SVR)
  Discuss strategies to address the risk of reinfection with clients who achieve SVR

Target audience

All non-physician health and human service providers.

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Monday, February 3, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This webinar will provide health and human services providers an overview of health literacy and give participants the opportunity to develop skills utilizing health literacy universal precautions to clearly communicate with patients or clients. At completion of this training, participants will be able to apply two health literacy strategies, plain language and teach back method, into their work.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Define health literacy.
• Recognize the health literacy disconnect in healthcare and how this affects patients and the public.
• Develop plain language and teach-back facilitation skills.
• Identify common concerns and challenges associated with incorporating plain language and teach-back methods with all patients.
• Apply two health literacy universal precautions and plain language to their work.
• Apply the teach-back method to improve communication and patient understanding.

Target audience

Health and human service providers and peer workers.

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Friday, January 31, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This 90-minute webinar is for health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV and who need updated information about HIV/HCV co-infection in order to provide effective services to their clients. More than 25% of people living with HIV in the United States are co-infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among people who acquired HIV as a result of injection drug use, the rates of HIV/HCV co-infection may be as high as 90%. HCV screening is recommended for all persons living with HIV.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall basic information about the liver and hepatitis C, including transmission, prevention, course of illness, screening and treatment;
• Counsel their HIV positive client about the importance of knowing their HCV status;
• Describe how co-infection with HIV and HCV affects the progression of each disease;
• Recall current trends and improvements in treatment for people who are co-infected with HIV and HCV; and
• List at least three additional service needs of people with HIV who are also co-infected with HCV.

Prerequisite

Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV/AIDS.

Target audience

All health and human service providers.

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Friday, March 28, 2025, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This 2 hour training will offer peer workers information about hepatitis C and will cover basic facts about hepatitis A and B.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Recall basic facts about the who is affected by hepatitis C in New York State
• Recall basic facts about the functions of the liver
• Describe how hepatitis C is and is not transmitted
• Share information with others about viral hepatitis prevention and harm reduction strategies.
• Recall recommendations regarding who should be screened for hepatitis B and C
• Describe the two step testing algorithm for hepatitis C
• Recall resources for HCV testing in NYS
• Describe to clients the spectrum of illness for hepatitis C
• Recall key facts about new treatments for hepatitis C and resources for HCV treatment in NYS
• Counsel clients with hepatitis C about the importance of vaccination for hepatitis A and B, avoiding alcohol, good liver health practices and avoiding re-infection
• Recall NYS AIDS Institute HCV Peer Worker competencies

Target audience

Peer workers interested in educating others about hepatitis C.

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Thursday, February 6, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This two-hour webinar will review the basic information about hepatitis C that health and human service providers should discuss with program participants who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB) or Transgender/Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC). This webinar will explore the practices that may place LGB and TGNC people at risk for HCV transmission and identify harm reduction strategies to reduce their risk. Screening recommendations and key considerations for HCV care and treatment in LGB and TGNC clients will be addressed.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Review basic information about HCV prevention, transmission, screening, diagnosis, care and treatment.
• Explore HCV risk and identify harm reduction options for LGB and TGNC health
  Discuss the benefits of HCV testing and connection to care.
• Identify HCV prevention messages using harm reduction to educate LGB and TGNC clients.
• Address common concerns that LGB and TGN clients may have regarding HCV care and treatment.

Target audience

All health and human service providers, including peer workers.

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Thursday, February 13, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This 90-minute training will discuss the high hepatitis C virus incidence and low treatment initiation rates among young people who use drugs. This training will help participants understand that novel, simplified care models need to be developed to engage, treat, and cure hard-to-reach patient populations, such as young people who use drugs.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the scope of hepatitis C infection among young PWUD;
• Explain the association between the emerging epidemic of Hep C infections among young persons and the opioid epidemic;
• Identify factors that can impact YPWUD and vulnerability for HCV infection;
• Identify the principles of youth-centered, harm reduction-oriented service provisions; and
• Identify strategies for hepatitis C prevention, care, and treatment for young PWUD.

Prerequisites

Hepatitis C 101 course

Target audience

Non-physician health and human service providers who work with clients/patients who are living with, or are at risk for, HIV, HCV, STIs, are LGBT/GNC or who use substances, including: social workers, nurses, care coordinators, case managers, peer workers, prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, client services staff, and others.

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Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

There have been significant advances in Hepatitis C treatment over the past several years. The goal of this webinar series is to help health and human services providers understand the goals and advantages of treatment.

• Session 1: Hepatitis C Overview: What Service Providers Need to Know (1.5 hours)
• Session 2: Hepatitis C Screening, Care and Disease Progression (2 hours)
• Session 3: Hepatitis C Treatment Update for Service Providers (2 hours)

Participants MUST attend all three sessions to receive credit for this course.

By the end of this training series, participants will be able to:

• Describe the goals of HCV treatment.
• Describe the progress made in treatment options for people living with Hepatitis C
• Define sustained virologic response (SVR).
• Identify strategies to support clients as they prepare for and engage in HCV treatment.

Target audience

Non-physician health and human services providers.

Register for an upcoming training

No trainings currently scheduled.

This two-part webinar series will provide participants with an opportunity to practice key skills related to offering HIV testing services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the need and requirements for HIV testing.
• Recall the benefits of treatment as prevention, PrEP, and PEP.
• Deliver a non-reactive, preliminary positive, and confirmed positive HIV test result.
• Conduct the NYS domestic violence screening protocol and steps for partner notification.

Target audience

Any individual involved in delivering HIV testing services, including peer workers.

Prerequisite

Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and attendance at "HIV Testing in NYS: Online Training" or equivalent.

Register for an upcoming training

No trainings currently scheduled.

This webinar will provide participants with an opportunity to practice key skills related to offering HIV testing services.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the need and requirements for HIV testing.
• Recall the benefits of treatment as prevention, PrEP, and PEP.
• Deliver a non-reactive, preliminary positive, and confirmed positive HIV test result.
• Conduct the NYS domestic violence screening protocol and steps for partner notification.

Target audience

Any individual involved in delivering HIV testing services, including peer workers.

Prerequisite

Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and attendance at “HIV Testing in NYS: Online Training” or equivalent.

Register for an upcoming training

No trainings currently scheduled.

This webinar series will prepare non-physician health and human services providers with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to employ a non-judgmental, sex positive approach during all interactions with clients. The course will be delivered in six parts over three days for a total of 13.0 hours of training.

As a result of this webinar series, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate comfort talking about sexual health, sexual behavior, and sexual pleasure.
• Demonstrate comfort using either medical terms or slang terms for different sexual behaviors and parts of human genitalia.
• Be familiar with the practice of using substances to enhance sexual pleasure
  Discuss the risk of HIV transmission during different sexual behaviors and present a range of harm reduction options.
• Share client-centered, culturally appropriate messages about HIV treatment as prevention and U=U.
• Explain PrEP as an empowering, sex-positive biomedical intervention for HIV prevention without using scare tactics
  Explain birth control/contraceptive options with clients in a culturally responsive manner.
• Use open-ended questions when asking clients about their sexual desires and experiences, and actively listen to responses
  Use affirming language around gender identify, gender expression, sexuality and sexual orientation.

Target audience

Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/patients at risk for HIV or STIs, including prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, peer workers, case managers, care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff.

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Wednesday - Friday, March 19-21, 2025, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This 4-part (90 minutes per session) virtual training will prepare non-physician health and human service providers and peer workers with the knowledge, attitude, and skills needed to provide culturally-relevant HIV prevention and sexual health promotion services to clients who combine sex and substance use to enhance sexual desire, pleasure, or performance.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the impact of different substances on sexual desire, pleasure, and performance.
• Reduce stigma by demonstrating a nonjudgmental attitude regarding the use of substances to engage in or enhance the sexual experience.
• Provide harm reduction options and awareness and referrals to individuals seeking help for substance use, including methamphetamine use.
• Promote sexual health for individuals who use substances to enhance pleasure.
• Explain the history of HIV and why PrEP represents such an important advance.
• Use affirming language around gender identity, sexuality, and sexual orientation.

Prerequisite

Implementing a Sex Positive Approach training

Target audience

Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/patients at risk for HIV or STIs, including prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, peer workers, case managers, care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff, and others.

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Monday, January 13, 2025, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

This one-day training will introduce non-physician health and human service providers to co-occurring disorders (substance use and mental health disorders) and their impact on people living with HIV.  The training will review the impact of trauma and stigma on care and the elements of an integrated treatment approach for COD.  Participants will also be offered tools to identify “red flags” or warning signs that might indicate a problem with substance use and/or mental health in order to make referrals for treatment.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define the term “co-occurring disorders” as it applies to substance use and mental health;
• Have a basic understanding of the criteria for the most common mental health and substance use disorders;
• Understand the impact of trauma and stigma on client care;
• Define the term “integrated treatment approach”;
• Identify “red flags” to assist in making appropriate referrals;
• Understand how the management of COD will improve health outcomes for people living with HIV

Target audience

All non-physician health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This training will prepare non-physician health and human service providers with the knowledge and skills for providing stigma-free, affirming, sex-positive interactions with all clients.

Participants will learn that sexual health is the ability to embrace and enjoy sexuality throughout one’s life. It is a natural and normal part of overall health and is more than avoiding disease and unwanted pregnancy. This training will introduce participants to the belief that sexual health and sexuality are an important part of one’s emotional and physical health.

As a result of this half-day training, care coordinators and other non-physician health and human service providers will be able to:

• Identify the six principles of sexual health
  Assist clients in recognizing the sexual rights of all beings.
• Help clients access sexual health information and services.
• Demonstrate a sex-positive approach to interactions with clients by recognizing that sexuality is natural and sexual pleasure, intimacy, and satisfaction are an integral part of overall health.

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Thursday, March 6, 2025, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This two-part webinar is designed to build the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to enable non-physician health and human services providers to deliver culturally competent services to the diverse range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) clients they serve. This interactive training will help providers identify best practices for creating a welcoming and safe environment for LGBTQ+ clients. It will also help participants identify communication skills for, or living with HIV, STIs, or Hepatitis C.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define various gender and sexuality terminologies, including identities and concepts, used in LGBTQ+ communities.
• Differentiate that sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation are each their own distinct concepts and that they exist on a continuum.
• Distinguish between various forms of oppression experienced by LGBTQ+ people and how these levels are interconnected.
• Understand the concepts of unexamined privilege and its relationship with oppression.
• Reflect on and identify one's own privileges and types of oppression in professional settings and how their privilege/oppression affects their client/provider relationship.
• Define social determinants of health.
• Identify reasons why LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately at risk based on social determinants of health.
• Recognize specific LGBTQ+ health disparities among various LGBTQ+ subpopulations.
• Describe protective factors for LGBTQ+ people that counter health risks.
• Identify strategies that organizations/agencies can adopt or create to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ clients/patients and staff.

Target audience

This training is for non-clinical health and human service providers who work with LGBTQ+ clients or patients.

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No trainings currently scheduled.

This two-hour webinar will assist participants in building knowledge and skills to more effectively deliver services to clients remotely.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the benefits and challenges of meeting with clients remotely.
• List at least two resources for meeting with clients remotely.
• Describe at least three key considerations for meeting with clients remotely.

Target audience

Non-medical human service providers, including peers and peer workers, who meet with and/or work with clients remotely.

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Thursday, January 9, 2025, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This 2-hour webinar will give you an overview of the 1-day face-to-face training that will prepare non-physician health and human service providers and peer workers with the knowledge, attitude, and skills needed to assist clients who are on PrEP and who have experienced sexual trauma. Given the prevalence of sexual violence and intimate partner violence (IPV), it is likely that Health and Human Service Providers providing PrEP/PEP service will interact with clients who are dealing with past, current, or possible future sexual assault or IPV.

As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Ensure a supportive, compassionate attitude when a client reports past, current, or concerns about possible future sexual assault or IPV.
• Identify resources for sexual assault and IPV and refer clients to these services when needed.
• Explain to a client that PrEP/PEP may be an effective HIV prevention option in cases where an individual is afraid of a partner or not able to otherwise negotiate safer sex.
• Utilize a strength-based approach to support the client's independence, resilience, well-being safety, and ability to make choices.
  Identify best practices for exploring the intersection of trauma, fears, stigma, and ambivalence related to decision-making around PrEP/PEP use.

Target audience

Non-physician health and human service providers who work with clients/patients at risk for HIV or STIs, including prevention specialists, PrEP specialists, peer workers, case managers, care managers and coordinators, social workers, clients service staff, and others.

Prerequisites:

Implementing a Sex Positive Approach and Trauma-Informed Care 101 (previously titled "Sex, Gender, and HIV/STD")

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Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This 5.5-hour online training provides opportunities for participants to build on foundational knowledge of trauma-informed approaches to promote resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in the individuals that they work with. Participants will also explore conditions and strategies essential for fostering vicarious resilience (VR), vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) and compassion resilience (CR) in self and the workforce.

This virtual online training will utilize a variety of Zoom features. Virtual attendees will be required to use a mic (computer or phone), have cameras turned on during the entire training time, and participate in large group and breakout activities to receive credit for this course. Participants are advised to confirm computer compatibility (open camera and mic and click Zoom link) in advance. Please be in Zoom waiting room 5 minutes before.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain resilience, post-traumatic growth (PTG), vicarious resilience (VR), vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) and compassion resilience (CR)
• Identify specific trauma-informed values/principles (safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment) and approaches integrated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) that can be utilized to promote resilience, PTG, VR, VPTG & CR
• Engage with self-assessment tools to reflect on the impact of the work
• Identify current and new self-care strategies

Prerequisites

None; Trauma-Informed Care 101 recommended

Target audience

All non-physician health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV/STIs/HCV.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

This training will prepare non-clinical health and human services providers to educate their communities about PrEP, work with clinical providers to expand access to PrEP, and provide support to clients who are taking PrEP.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Deliver culturally relevant educational messages about PrEP to clients who may benefit from this intervention.
• Discuss the efficacy of PrEP in terms that clients can understand.
• Refer clients to a host of NYS, NYC, national and local resources regarding PrEP
  Identify resources to assist clients with reimbursement for PrEP medication, medical appointments, HIV/STD testing, and other prevention tools such as condoms, sterile syringes, etc.
• Integrate messages about PrEP into HIV/STD testing and other prevention services offered by the organization
  Assist clients on PrEP with behavioral counseling and support daily adherence to the medication.
• Partner with local providers that prescribe PrEP to promote easy access to PrEP.

Prerequisites:

Participants should have prior basic training on HIV and STDs.

Target audience

Non-clinical health and human services staff who are:

• Involved in offering HIV testing, harm reduction counseling, prevention services, community outreach, or adherence support;
• Working with individuals at high risk for HIV who have an opportunity to provide education or support regarding PrEP;
• Working in clinical settings who may have an opportunity to provide education or support around PrEP;
• Peer Workers who work with people at risk with HIV and STDs.

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Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This two-hour webinar outlines the rationale and best practices for talking to clients about how they can protect themselves and minimize their risk of COVID-19 transmission.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall accurate information about sex and COVID-19.
• Recall best practices for talking to clients about COVID-19.
• Promote how to minimize the risks of COVID-19 during sexual activities using our trauma-informed skills.
• Identify next steps and support.

Target audience

All health and human service providers.

Register for an upcoming training

No trainings currently scheduled.

As a result of this 1.5 hour training, participants will be able to:

• Define the term "status neutral."
• Identify how a status-neutral approach helps reduce stigma.
• Describe the status-neutral approach to working with clients to promote HIV testing, care, and prevention.
• Describe how addressing the client's unmet social determinants of health is essential for effectively implementing a status-neutral approach.
• Explain how providers can strengthen services in their agency to support the implementation of the status-neutral approach.
• Recall the importance of addressing social determinants of health in the context of status-neutral services.
• Identify needed referral sources to address unmet social determinants of the health needs of clients.

Target audience

Non-physician health and human services providers.

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Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This two-hour webinar will introduce providers to trauma and the impact on clients with HIV/STIs/HCV. This course will review the definition of trauma and trauma informed care.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define trauma and list examples of trauma that clients with HIV/STIs/HCV encounter.
• Describe the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Study and its importance to providers.
• Define trauma-informed care
  List at least five triggers that may re-traumatize clients with HIV/STIs/HCV

Target audience

All non-physician health and human service providers who work with people living with HIV/STIs/HCV.

Register for an upcoming training

Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.